Larry Marsh (left), coordinator of the German Culture Center at UMSL, was recently honored by the German American Heritage Society of St. Louis, which named him this year’s Carl Schurz Heritage Award recipient. (Photo by Joan Hecker)

Larry Marsh began his lifelong interest in German language and culture in 1963, when he was a college exchange student to the University of Göttingen in Germany. Since 2000, he has been the coordinator of the German Culture Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Recently, the German American Heritage Society of St. Louis recognized his work promoting greater understanding of German culture by naming him the 2013 Carl Schurz Heritage Award recipient.

The GAHS award was named for the famous 19th century German immigrant who served as a Civil War general, newspaper publisher, U.S. envoy to Spain for President Abraham Lincoln, U.S. senator from Missouri and secretary of the interior under President Rutherford B. Hayes. Each year it recognizes an individual or organization for their “dedication to the preservation of the history and heritage of our German forebears.”

Before coming onboard at UMSL, Marsh had a long career as a high school history and German teacher. In 1985 he was named Ferguson-Florissant’s Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for Missouri’s Teacher of the Year. In 1996 he received the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award.

His previous German-related honors include the Friedrich Hecker Freedom Award in 2003, the Federal Republic of Germany Friendship Award in 2008, and the Patron’s Gold Medal from Allgaeu-Swabian Musical Association in 2010.

He is very active in the arts and has conducted Northwinds Concert Band for more than 30 years. The ensemble is known for its innovative programs, including many with European themes. He has also directed and designed more than 80 theatrical productions and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Arts of Life.