Stan Jochum Recieves German-American Friendship Award

By: Corbin Lingenfelter, News Director

Jasper- Stan Jochum went on his first abroad trip with around twenty students to Jasper’s German Sister City, Pfaffenweiler in 1987. Now, thirty-five years later, he was awarded the German-American Friendship Award.

The award is in recognition for German-American relationships.

Jochum was given the award by German Consulate General, Wolfgang Moessinger, and Honorary Consul Sven Schumacher.

Jochum shared the winning of the award is a win for Jasper.

“The award is a great recognition for Jasper and our community and our sister cities relationship. Talking to the presenter Wolfgang (Moessinger) and the Consul person from Indianapolis Sven Schumacher they said our relationship with sister cities is special. There is not one like it in the tri-state area because of the personal relationships that have been formed.”

The award came as a surprise for Jochum, as he shares he heard his name and did not know why.

“Well I had no idea. I was just standing there talking to our German friend Matt Hilger who has been here and when I heard the name and did not know why. Then when the German Consulate General from Chicago, Wolfgang Moessinger, asked me to come to the stage I wondered why.”

Jochum was awarded a medal from the German Republic, lapel pin and a certificate naming his as the recipient of the award. Along with the awards from the German Republic, Jochum was given a badge by the Strassenfest Committee.