UNL Czech group honored for promoting culture

The Czech Republic has awarded the Gratias Agit Prize to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Czech Komensky Club. The prize is in recognition of the club's continuous active and creative involvement in Czech culture.

The Komensky Club was founded in 1904 at UNL to promote the Czech language, literature, history and culture. It is a nonprofit organization that reaches far beyond the borders of its home state, with members involved in the promotion of the Czech language and culture.

Mila Saskova-Pierce, associate professor in modern languages and literatures and the club's academic advisor for the past 16 years, and Charles Svagera, a senior music major who has been the club president for the past two years, accepted the award on behalf of the club June 26 in Cernin Castle, the seat of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague. Representatives of the U.S. embassy in Prague attended the ceremony.

The ministry gave the UNL Czech Program teaching and cultural materials and assurance of further support for the UNL cultural programming and teaching efforts. It also offered support to graduates of the Czech program in their search for practicum and or jobs in which they will be able to use Czech language.

"I am sure we have received the prize because we are standing on the shoulders of giants, the founders of the club, and thanks to the strong support of our cultural programming by UNL," Saskova-Pierce said. "We have also had the support of the Nebraska Czech community. I promise that we will continue in our efforts. Our students, of course, are the ultimate beneficiaries."

CONTACT:Mila Saskova-Pierce, Assoc. Professor, Modern Languages, (402) 472-1336