The development of science has not made mankind happier. Science and technology become dangerous whenever overspecialized and isolated... In the spirit of the old ‘Arany János Körök’ a general interest in the sciences should be created; thus we can reduce our isolation, and also perhaps the threat of an isolated technology. -- Eugene P. Wigner, Nobel Laureate at the 1976 AHEA Conference
The American Hungarian Educators Association (AHEA) is a scholarly and professional organization devoted to the teaching and dissemination of Hungarian culture. The Association provides opportunities for those interested in Hungarian studies and Hungarian heritage to further these interests by:
- actively supporting ethnic and multicultural programs to broaden awareness, within the United States, of Hungarian contributions to civilization;
- deepening the appreciation for Hungarian culture among Americans of Hungarian origin
- encouraging the maintenance of the Hungarian language and Hungarian studies in English
- As a heritage organization the AHEA is vitally interested in the preservation of historical documents and artifacts as close as possible to their place of creation.
The AHEA is open to cooperation with all groups interested in supporting Hungarian culture and Hungarian studies within the United States and Canada, as well as Central European countries with large indigenous Hungarian minorities.
Governance
1974 Articles of Incorporation
Maryland and New Jersey Certificates
2021 Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation
2021 Approved By-Laws
Standing Rules
Officers 2023 - 2025:
President: Helga Lénárt-Cheng, St. Mary's College of California, Moraga, California.
Vice-President: Zsuzsanna Varga, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
Secretary: Nóra Deák, Secretariat of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest
Treasurer: Kálmán Magyar, American Hungarian Folklore Centrum, New Jersey.
Immediate Past President: Klára Papp, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Members-at-Large
Sarah Lucas, Texas A&M University Kingsville.
Éva Petrás, Committee of National Remembrance (NEB) Budapest
Mari Réthelyi, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Membership Development Chair
Andrew Behrendt, Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) Rolla, MO
Ex Officio: Nominating Committee Chair, Judith Kesserű Némethy, New York University.
Ex Officio: Editor-in-Chief, Hungarian Cultural Studies, e-Journal of the AHEA, Paul Olchváry, Publisher, New Europe Books.
Ex Officio: AHEA Webmaster, Katalin Vörös, University of California, Berkeley.
Board of Directors of the Association is made up of the Officers, the Members-at-Large, the Membership Development Chair and the three appointed Ex Officio members.
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Membership Development Committee:
Chair: Andrew Behrendt, Missouri S&T
Advisor: Katalin Kádár Lynn, Helena History Press, Reno, Nevada
Members: Nóra Deák, Secretariat of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest
Teodora Dömötör, Karoli Gaspar University, Budapest
Andrew Lee, Northern VA Community College
Zsuzsanna Varga, University of Glasgow, Scotland
Elizabeth Vos, Magyar Marketing, Evansville, Indiana
Standing Program Committee:
Program Committee Guidelines
Cultural Studies: Mártha Pereszlényi-Pintér, John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Mari Réthelyi, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Education: Krisztina Fehér, Cleveland State University and University of Debrecen.
Andrea Parapatics, University of Pannonia, Veszprém.
History/Political Science: Péter Kristián Zachar, National University of Public Service, Budapest.
James P. Niessen, Rutgers University. New Jersey.
Language/Literature: Ákos Farkas, ELTE, Budapest, Hungary.
Zsuzsanna Varga, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
Music/Folklore: Sarah Lucas, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas.
Judith Olson, American Hungarian Folklore Centrum, New Jersey.
Science/Economics: Andrew Lee, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, Virginia.
Katalin Vörös, University of California, Berkeley.
Past Presidents:
1974-1975 Interim president Enikő M. Basa
1975-1978 Enikő M. Basa, two terms
1978-1982 Barbara Lotze, two terms
1982-1984 János Horváth
1984-1988 Martha Pereszlényi-Pinter, two terms
1988-1992 Enikő M. Basa, two terms
1992-1996 Katherine Gatto, two terms
1996-2000 Péter Pastor, two terms
2000-2004 Martha Pereszlényi-Pinter, two terms
2004-2008 Susan Glanz, two terms
2008-2012 Judith Kesserű Némethy, two terms
2012-2014 Julia Bock
2014-2018 James P. Niessen, two terms
2018-2023 Klára Papp, two terms +1 year (COVID)
2023- Helga Lénárt-Cheng