President Prof. Dr. Werner Reinhart

In his speech to the graduates, President Prof. Werner Reinhart emphasized the essential role that future teachers will play in society. A total of 420 prospective teachers received their diplomas between September 2023 and September 2024. Many chose teaching to make a difference with young people, as Christina Neumann expressed: "I find it meaningful to help others with what I know, and I look forward to doing so in schools with children." Prof. Dr. Werner Reinhart emphasized that schools lay the foundation for the future of society, nurturing democracy, integration, and sustainability. Addressing approximately 400 guests, he stated, "To help restore balance in a visibly disordered world, we need you." He urged graduates to represent Europe’s fundamental values of science and education actively: "The spirit of Europe calls for science and education. I ask you to become advocates of justice, democracy, and education."

State Secretary Guido Wendt

Ilka Meissner, a future teacher in secondary education, feels ready for this responsibility: "I feel well-prepared to be a teacher!" She embodies the kind of bridge-builders and pathfinders that Guido Wendt, State Secretary of Education, mentioned in his address. He highlighted that people like these graduates are essential for helping children and youth navigate a rapidly changing world. City President Susanne Schäfer-Quäck echoed this sentiment, adding that the students’ experiences throughout their studies are as valuable as their academic knowledge.

Jana Vervoort and Darleen Thomas

Speaking on behalf of all graduates, Jana Vervoort and Darleen Thomas, both special education majors, expressed their awareness of the influence teachers have: "No matter our field of study, we all have the opportunity in our future careers to shape young lives and impact their future." Reflecting on their time at EUF, they recalled parties at Deutsches Haus, the persistent Flensburg rain, and the many gray computer screens and broken microphones they encountered—a nod to the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. Their successes were made possible, they said, "thanks to the countless committed people who enabled teaching and knowledge-building during this special time."

Felina Zazie Ott

In addition to future teachers, recent graduates of EUF’s transformative and European studies programs were also honored. On Friday, September 13, the program directors of Education Science: Education in Europe, European Studies, Culture – Language – Media, Transformation Studies, as well as the bachelor’s in European Cultures and Society, and the continuing education program KITA-Master, honored a total of 130 graduates. Doctoral candidates were also celebrated. During the ceremony, Felina Zazie Ott, a graduate of the Culture – Language – Media master’s program, received the award for outstanding achievement from the EUF Development Association.