The Paul and Brita Koutny Founders Scholarship

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In memory of IES Abroad founder Paul Koutny (1926-2013)

Dear IES Abroad Alumni,

It saddens me to inform you that Paul Koutny, one of the founders of IES Abroad, passed away May 12 at the age of 86.

Paul founded IES Abroad in 1950, enrolling the first class of 23 American students in Vienna. Held as a political prisoner by the Nazis at the age of 17 for his activity in the anti-Nazi underground, Paul dedicated himself to rebuilding Austria after World War II. It was his year abroad at St. Thomas University, sponsored by the Fulbright Commission in 1949, that inspired his ambitious dream: the founding of an organization that would create life-changing experiences for young Americans and help bridge the cultural divide between two continents.

In memoriam: Paul Koutney passes away

Paul Koutney at our IES class reunion in Wien in October 2011

Editor’s note: The following is a tribute to Paul Koutney, co-founder of IES, by Morten Solvik, current director of IES Abroad in Vienna. Paul Koutney, a young Austrian, and Clarence Giese, a young American, founded IES in 1950. They were operating the Vienna program during the years we were students there. Herr Koutney accompanied us in Vienna at the reunion for the class of 1960-61 in October 2011. We were looking forward to being with him again at our upcoming Vienna reunion in October 2013 for the classes of 1959-64.

It is with great regret that I report that the death of Paul Koutny, the man whose vision led to the founding of IES Abroad.

Held as a political prisoner by the Nazis in his late teens, Paul immediately set to work to help in the rebuilding of his native country of Austria after the Second World War. It was his year abroad as a student in the United States from 1949 to 1950 that inspired a truly ambitious dream: the founding of an organization already in the following academic year that would make this life-changing experience available to young Americans wanting to come to Europe and thus help bridge the cultural differences between two continents. After making arrangements for the very first IES center in Vienna, Paul went on start other locations for this grand enterprise, in Freiburg, Madrid, Paris.

In memoriam

We have received notice that some of our classmates have passed away. In memory of them, we have set up this page. We know this list is incomplete and we will appreciate additions as they come to your attention. We express the grief and sympathy of our entire class to all family members.

Charles Newcomb (Spring 1961) passed away in October 2012. He is survived by his wife, Nane, reported to us by Joel Ziegler and Gordon Watson.

Christopher E. Hetzel (1960-61). He is survived by his wife, Susan Schumaker Hetzel (Spring 1961), who reported his death to us.

Laurie Rayburn (Spring 1961) passed away in November 2011, reported to us by Judy Tucker Earle and Gordon Watson.