Dear Friends of the UW Danish program,
Our warmest holiday wishes to friends, alumni, and program supporters! This was a special year for the Danish program!
On May 7, together with friends, colleagues, alumni, and partners, we celebrated 50 year of Danish at UW. Marianne Stecher-Hansen gave a very timely talk about H.C. Andersen’s famous tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and we also took the opportunity to thank Nina Pedersen once more for her commitment in establishing The Georg and Nina Pedersen Endowed Professorship. We were deeply touched by all the facilitation we received from so many of you. It truly made the day unforgettable!
In early 2025 (January), the four Danish lectures in North America accompanied all of our students to Santa Barbara and Solvang (Southern California) to explore the history of Danish immigration to the U.S. This study trip was co-sponsored by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and the ScanDesign Foundation, whose on-going support of the UW Danish program we are immensely grateful for. Please see some of the photographs from our visit to Solvang.
Shortly before summer quarter 2025, we received the good news that Marianne would assume the position of Department Chair for Scandinavian Studies! With the many challenges facing today’s academia, the faculty feel lucky to have Marianne at the departmental helm.
We thank you for your involvement, enthusiasm, and contributions to a strong Danish program and Scandinavian Studies Department at the University of Washington.
Vi ønsker jer alle en glædelig jul og et lykkebringende nytår.
De bedste julehilsener,
Morten Bøje Stensgaard Larsen og Marianne Stecher-Hansen