Three Graduations and One Retiree
For the first time in two years, Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF) has given its master’s graduates an in-person sendoff.
What could be
"To finally be able to celebrate your academic success with you, your family and friends in person – it’s a good feeling," a delighted EUF President, Prof. Dr. Werner Reinhart told ca. 300 guests at today’s (September 23) Educational Sciences graduation ceremony at Flensburg’s Deutsches Haus. A total of 529 prospective teachers received their degree certificates between August 2021 to August 2022. "No other generation of students has had to master their studies under such difficult circumstances. The fact that you were nevertheless able to complete it successfully should be a source of pride for you," emphasized President Reinhart in his ceremonial address. He gave the graduates one parting wish: "Don't just come to terms with what is; be mindful of what could be. Those who say "it can't be done" only prove that their own imagination is limited and their courage small."
Pride and difficulties
Florian Kischl and Katharina Vieker, who spoke for the graduates, also stressed the difficulties of studying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet this was also an opportunity, they noted, quoting the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: "Obstacles and difficulties are steps on which we climb to the heights." The two graduates, who are now in the preparatory service, proudly reported on the obstacles they had overcome during their studies and thanked the university staff and friends and family for the support they had received.
For the first time, own graduation ceremony of the transformational and European studies programs
Future teachers were not the only ones to receive degree certificates in person for the first time since 2019; graduates of the Transformation Studies and European Studies programs have also bee honoured in recent weeks. On Friday, September 16, the directors of the master's programs in Transformation Studies, European Studies, Education in Europe, an Culture - Language - Media, as well as the bachelor's program in European Cultures and Society, bid farewell to a total of 85 graduates, each with a sunflower.
Special approach of Flensburg students
Prof. Dr. Iulia Patrut, Vice President for Academic Affairs, explicitly thanked the faculty and students for their special commitment during the last two pandemic years, which made their graduation possible.
"These are challenging times" noted degree program director Dr. Michaela Christ on behalf of the master's program in Transformation Studies. Many students in Flensburg have a special attitude, she stressed. "It’s a combination of ‘The future is scary, the world is in a really bad state,’ and ‘I am here to learn and to do something about it,’" she remarked.
Energy experts for the global south
The desire to do something about the 'bad state' of the world also characterizes the twelve graduates who received their diplomas on Friday, September 9, at the graduation ceremony for the English-taught language master's degree program in Energy and Environmental Management in Developing Countries. Since 1989, the program, which is co-financed by the DAAD, has been training about 15 energy professionals from all three southern continents each year. The aim is to give more people access to modern and sustainable energy supplies. Against the backdrop of the current energy crisis, program head Prof. Dr. Bernd Möller pointed out the increased importance of education in the field of renewable energies worldwide.
Honoring particularly successful master's theses
The following students were honoured for their particularly successful master's theses at the graduation ceremonies:
Transformation Studies student Thomas Spinnrath accepted the prize for his exemplary implementation of Europa-Universität Flensburg’s mission statement. The prize for outstanding performance of the Sponsoring Society of the Europa-Universität Flensburg went to Widya Derjong from the master's program in European Studies, and the prize for outstanding performance in the teacher training program, offered by the Debeka Group, was awarded to Jessica Sylvia Brockmöller and Marieke Guntermann.
[Translate to 2-English:] "Master of everything": Farewell to retirement
After 33 years of dedicated and successful work as coordinator of the EUF degree program in Energy and Environmental Management in Developing Countries, retiring professor Dipl.-Ing. Wulf Boie was awarded the title "Master of Everything."