The Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies welcomed Dr. Werner Brandstetter, Ambassador of Austria to Canada and Jamaica, to the University of Alberta campus on Monday, 26 September 2011. Ambassador Brandstetter presided over a ceremony at the University of Alberta Alumni House to present Dr. Franz Szabo with the "Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria" in addition to formally marking the official transfer of the Institute's Directorship to Dr. Joseph F. Patrouch.
Prof. Szabo's significant contributions to Austrian history and culture, in both his personal and professional lives has led to the conferring of this honour by the Austrian government. As Institute Director since its inception in 1998, Prof. Szabo has committed to the advancement of the Institute, and Austrian and Central European studies in the local, national, and international communities.
The "Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria" is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria, and is conferred by the President to honour individuals who have exhibited exemplary services to Austria. This honour is conferred upon receipt of a proposal from a member of the federal government. The Grand Decoration of Honour is awarded to those who have acted in a way that provides outstanding public benefit and excellent services to the Republic of Austria.
On this occasion, we were also pleased to formally welcome Dr. Joseph F. Patrouch as Institute Director. Dr. Patrouch joins the Institute from Florida International University, where he has established himself as a senior scholar in Austrian and Habsburg history.
The evening ceremony was hosted by Dr. Lesley Cormack, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and featured the Enterprise String Quartet, who presented a fitting tribute to Dr. Szabo in the form of Joseph Haydn's Op. 76, No. 4 "Sunrise" in B flat minor. Members from the University community, as well as the broader cultural communities came to show their appreciation for Dr. Szabo's significant contributions and to welcome Dr. Patrouch.