DR. PAUL L. DENGLER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 296, 15 December 1936, Page 4

DR. PAUL L. DENGLER

TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND ATTENDING EDUCATION CONFERENCE New Zealand is fortunate in obtaining the services of Dr. Dengler during July, 1937. Although comparatively little known in tnis country, Dr. Dengler is une of the loremost men in European education today, and has lectured extensively in many parts of the world. Born in 1886 oi a famous and oldestablished Viennese family, he spent his youth at a well-known Australian gymnasium. He took a Doctorate oi Philosophy at the unusually early age of 23. Three years later he toux the State Teachers’ Examination for higher education and immediately after this was appointed a Professor at the Viennese College. During the years 1911 to 1914 Dr. Dengler organised summer international students’ camps in England, France and Switzerland. At this stage of his career the Great War broke out, and for the next four years he served at the front. After this he was placed in charge of several very important experiments that were being carried out by the Austrian Minister of Education, and attracted much attention by using scientific methods not only with secondary pupils but also with teachers anu parents. Many visitors from all over the world came to see him at work, and finally the success of his efforts induced him to visit America. In 1926, on his return from his American trip, he founded the Aus-tro-American Institute of Education in Vienna, whose object Is to promote the exchange of cultural relations between America and Austria. This foundation proved very successful, the Carnegie-Endowment for International Peace became interested and contributed lo its support. Dr. Dengler, though interested in many o.her activities, still remains the directoi of tills institute. Since 1925 he has undertaken seven tours to the United States, and has been appointed the official representative for Austria to the Institute of International Education at New Yorx. He has visited practically all the American States and Is thorougnly familiar with all types of American education and culture. (Lt will be very interesting to hear the views o*. a European on America, and especially one with Dr. Dengier’s knowledge and ability to give unbiased criticism). In 1930 he became a member of the Faculty of the Universities Oi California and Denver in Colorado, and in the same year he conducted a lecture tour throughout Canada under the auspices of tne New Education Fellowship. In 1932 he was appointed visiting Carnegie Professor to the Colorado, Kansas and Ind ana Universities. In 1933 he augm.nle i his experience by conducting numerous lecture tours in various States. In 1934 he was appointed the only European delegate to the summer-faculty of the University of Hawaii and in the same year was appointed Car negie Professor at the University o> lowa. Dr. Dengier’s experience extends beyond the American and Austrian boundaries, for he has made several lecture tours in England, Geneva, Paris, Warsaw, Florence and other large cities in Europe. In England he was concerned mainly with exhibitions of Austrian children’s drawings, whilst in 1929 at Locarno he was one of the main speakers at the Nev Education Fellowship Conference. Dr. Dengler is an accomplished linguist, speaking fluent French, German, and English. His other activities have Included < such capacities as member of the Austrian Commission for the League of Nations, professor at the University of Vienna, vice-president of the International Federation for Home and School, and representative for the World Federation of Education Associations, and Austrian Representative on the Board of the Institute for Broadcasts on International Relations.

Dr. Dengler has made numerous broadcasts in both Austria and the United States. Along with many articles in scientific magazines he is the co-author of the book “The New Education in Austria.” Dr. C. C. Eckhardt, head of the Department of History, at the University of Colorado, says of him:— “Dr. Dengler delivered a stimulating informing message; his personal charm, his scholarly unbiased attitude, his ability to sketch national psychology in a few sentences and well chosen illustrations cause all to

say that he was the most wonderful teacher and lecturer they had ever heard. Tne class rooms and iecuure halts provided for his classes and addresses were soon too small lor ihu ever-increasing audiences.’’ , Dr. E. H. Guild, chairman of the University Commit tee of Convocations and Lectures at the University of Kansas says: “Dr. Dengier’s charming personality opened all doors to him and drew for him a very enthusiastic io. owing. Presentation of his lectures was not only inter esang and illuminating but was nandled with tact and effectiveness. Entirely apart from specific subject matter in lectures there was a distinct building up of goodwill and understanding centring, to be sure, on Dr. Dengier’s personalty. Dr. A. L. Kolmeier, head of the Department of History In the University of Indiana says: “I can scarcely conceive of one who could be better qualified for this type of work. He has depth and breadth as well as charm. He is a missionary of the highest and finest type. Students and faculty members were universally more than pleased with him. Dr. Dengler has recently expressed his keen desire to visit New Zealand. This has been one of the dreams that he has cherished for some time. He hopes to be able to study the “interesting movement of education and in all the other related fields of public life in New Zealand.” He will select his lectures from the following topics: “Basic principles of Fascist philosophy of education.” “German youth to-day.” “Universities in changing Europe.' “Home and school In the Austhorltarian State” (from a personal survery of Austria, Germany, and Italy). “Why the crisis in European education.” “Education In Austria since 1919.” “Child art in Austria.” (illustrated). “Austria and the peace of Europe.” “Folklore in education.” “Youth in need of leaders.’* “Austria, has it a future?” “The rise of women In a Europe Of men.” “Austria and her neighbours.” t “The children of Europe.” Dr. Dengler will be accompanied by his wife, a Doctor of Political Science and a student ef medicina.