The American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) and the Goethe-Institut New York will present their annual Certificate of Merit Award to Dr. Paul Dvorak, Professor of German at Viginia Commonwealth University in Richmond later this fall.

Dr. Dvorak is one of five recipients of the 2009 award for outstanding achievement in furthering the teaching of German in the United States. This award has been presented annually since 1978 by the AATG and the Goethe-Institut to a select group of educators in the field of German.

The presentation ceremony will take place on November 21, during the AATG's Annual Meeting in San Diego, and will be attended by approximately 250 AATG members.

Nominations originate with the local AATG chapter in the state in which the recipient resides, or  through individual AATG members.  A panel of AATG and Goethe-Institut personnel selects  the winners from those nominated.