The CEFT William J. Hlavinka Czech Fellowship at Texas A&M University

Since 1999, the CEFT William J. Hlavinka Czech Fellowship at Texas A&M has brought advanced graduate students from two Moravian universities (Masaryk University in Brno, Palacký University in Olomouc) to our university, established Czech language classes in the Bryan-College Station area for the general public, provided Czech-to-English translation services for the Texas Czech community, provided assistance to Czech-American historical and cultural groups in Texas, and encouraged cultural and educational ties between the State of Texas and the Czech Republic. Currently the classes are being organized by the Brazos Valley Chapter of the Czech Heritage Society in Bryan, and they are available to anyone within driving distance.

The usual procedure for a Czech Fellow is to stay at A&M for two years and earn an MA in English, with an emphasis on American literature (while teaching the local Czech classes) before returning home and pursuing a PhD in English and American studies in the Czech Republic.  An endowment in the Texas A&M Foundation, funded by members of the Hlavinka family and supplemented through the years by the Hlavinkas and other generous supporters, has made all of this possible. However, we need additional funding to sustain our program in the coming years. Please help us. Any contribution will be appreciated, large or small. Also, we would be willing to consider a proposal for a substantial new endowment to supplement the current one, as long as the goals are complementary.

In October 2017, the Hlavinka Fellowship celebrated its 18th anniversary with Texas A&M. Click here for an overview of the event and photos.

Growth of the A&M Endowment

Daniela Kukrechtová (ties to both Palacký and Masaryk) 1999-2000, 2000-2001
      Letter from Daniela

Martin Svoboda (Palacký) 2001-2002
      Letter from Martin

Magdalena Vintrová (Masaryk) 2002-2003, 2003-2004

Martina Vranová (Palacký) 2004-2005, 2005-2006

Hana Waisserová (Palacký) 2006-2007, 2007-2008

Jana Dreserová (Masaryk) 2008-2009, 2009-2010

Petr Antene (Palacký) 2010-2011, 2011-2012

Antonin Zita (Masaryk) 2012-2013, 2013-2014

Marketa Byrtusová (Palacký) 2014-15

Jan Beneš (Masaryk) 2015-2016, 2016-2017

Click here for a slideshow on the Hlavinka Czech Fellows at Texas A&M University