It is with a heavy heart that we must share the sad news of the sudden passing of Prof. Christoph Houswitschka, one of the founding members of the European Joint Master's Programme in English and American Studies, on February 10th, 2022.

Since the beginning, Prof. Houswitscha was a passionate supporter of the Joint Programme and his commitment was boundless. As the Academic Coordinator of the University of Bamberg, he was not only a very valued member of the core team, but he also played a significant role in the success of the programme. The cooperation with the partner universities was very important to him, and he took great pride in the number of international master's students in the programme and the diversity they have brought to the University of Bamberg over the years.

If we had to choose one word which describes Christoph and shapes our memories of him, it is kindness. Students greatly appreciated his concern for their welfare and his determination that experience as students in Bamberg would be academically fulfilling and happy. He also thought about what would happen to students once they graduated, and he supported them however he could concerning employment and further study.

Those of us who were fortunate to know him as a colleague and friend have wonderful memories of his story telling, his convivial company and his enjoyment of life. It is hard to believe that we will no longer be able to have a glass of wine with him, exchange anecdotes about the irritations and absurdities of academic life, and above all, to laugh.

It is a terrible, untimely loss; he will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and dear colleagues at the English Literature Department and the Institute for English and American Studies of the University of Bamberg.

Roberta Maierhofer, Nancy Campbell, Jennifer Schumm Fauster, Anja Hoffmann, Ulrike Krawagna on behalf of the team of the JP in English and American Studies (Graz, February 15th, 2022)

Obituary University of Bamberg