HENRIETTE J. RUNTE, Professor/Author (10-15-21)

DR. HENRIETTE J. RUNTE, a college professor, podcaster, speaker, and cancer survivor now in Germany, joined us to discuss her career, her thought processes when growing up as opposed to now, and her amazing place in this world. 

FROM HER BIO:

"I am first generation Hungarian-American, but I have been living in Hamburg, Germany since 2001.

I grew up in Communist Romania as a Hungarian minority. My dad was the national Olympic weightlifting coach and defected due to serious political problems. My mother and I were separated from him for two and a half years. Afterwards, my parents reunited in Texas, where my dad became a strength coach at Texas A&M.

Growing up, there was incredible pressure to make my parents’ immigration worthwhile. I had to learn how to be American real quick, learn to speak the language, integrate, roll up my sleeves, and achieve. I collected degrees as symbols of achievement. I started taking college classes when I was 15. I finished a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology, finished Pre-Med, and completed a BA in French in only three years. I went on to get an MA in French and a PhD in French Literature, focusing on the sociological effects of theater on the community. I started teaching at KU when I was barely 21 years old. But even beyond that, I taught aerobics and kickboxing – did it all officially, got certified and everything. I was intent on showing that I was achieving.

As far as my career was concerned, I spoke at conferences around the world, taught and directed numerous exchange programs for several universities, and didn’t stop until I became Head of Modern Languages at a prestigious university in Germany. I have been working in my current position since 2007. I love my job and the contact I have with my students. It is an absolute privilege to be able to shape young minds and be inspired by them on a daily basis."

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