He will speak and autograph his new book, published by the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at the NDSU Libraries, at public gatherings in Fargo, Napoleon, Bismarck, and Jamestown. A limited edition of the autographed broadside commemorating Pritzkau's return to and deep love of the North Dakota prairies will be available at each book signing. Also in Fargo, on Friday, October 10, the NDSU Libraries will host a private reception in the Main Library and present him with a framed version of the broadside, which will combine a cover illustration with a quote from the book. Pritzkau then travels to Napoleon to speak and autograph his book at the Wentz Cafe on Sunday, October 12, 1-3 pm.
All events are free and open to the general public.
Pritzkau was born in 1902 in a sodhouse built by his German-Russian immigrant parents near Burnstad in Logan County. Starting his education in a one-room school, he went on to complete his doctorate at Columbia University. Before retiring in 1972, he was Professor of Education at the University of Connecticut. I want to return to this land once more, where I have so many fond childhood memories. Pritzkau recalls attending the country elementary school where many of the rural children spoke German, with English as their second language.