The ceremony was opened by University President Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz and Dr. Mirjam Hey, Vice-President of Academic and Student Affairs, who welcomed the graduates from the wine and beverage programs, as well as the food, horticulture and landscape architecture programs.
In her address, Prof. Dr. Mirjam Hey acknowledged their outstanding achievements and highlighted their impact in a fast-changing world: “During your studies, you've gained profound knowledge, multiple skills and a clear understaning of future developments and challenges in the wine and food industry, in horticulture or landscape architecture. Now, you're well prepared to take on responsible positions and develop new ideas and solutions. You combine scientific expertise with an innovative spirit and practical experience. These are exactly the skills that we need today. We wish you lots of success and confidence in your future careers and hope that you will stay in touch.”
Her speech was followed by Dipl.-Ing.Robert Lönarz, President of the Geisenheim Alumni Association (VEG), who also expressed his best wished to the graduates. In his address, he encouraged them to stay in touch with the university and join the active alumni network, which provides many opportunities for professional and personal exchange.
As a special highlight of the ceremony, graduates from different degree programs recollected their time at university and shared humorous anecdotes or thoughtful reflections, giving the audience a personal insight into student life in Geisenheim. Afterwards, the graduates received their diplomas from the heads of the degree programs. Board members of the alumni association likewise congratulated them on stage and presented them with a rose and a commemorative Geisenheim pin.
Farewell to Prof. Dr. Peter Braun and Prof. Dr. Karl Schockert
As part of the ceremony, the university officially bid farewell to two long-standing members of the Horticulture Department – Prof. Dr. Peter Braun and Prof. Dr. Karl Schockert – who were honored for their outstanding commitment to the university.
Prof. Dr. Peter Braun, who couldn’t attend the ceremony in person, took over the Professorship for Sustainable Pomology in 2006. In 2011, he became Head of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Since the university’s establishment in 2013, he has led the Department of Pomology. Additionally, he served as Head of the Horticulture program from 2009 to 2018. His projects on compact-growing columnar apple trees, as well as his work on humus build-up, have provided — and continue to provide — important impetus for sustainable fruit growing.
Prof. Dr. Karl Schockert has been teaching in Geisenheim since 1989. Back then, the campus was still a department of Fachhochschule Wiesbaden. In 2012, he was awarded the title of honorary professor. His courses included consulting methodology, horticultural technology, fruit and vegetable cultivation, automation, greenhouse technology, retail technology, and warehouse technology.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional tossing of graduation caps (see photo), followed by a reception with Geisenheim drinks in a festive and cheerful atmosphere. Hochschule Geisenheim University warmly congratulates all the graduates and wishes them every success in the future, while looking forward to staying in touch with them in the alumni network.
Note on the total number of graduates:
The figure of 203 graduates includes all degrees achieved between the summer graduation in 2025 (July 25, 2025) and March 26, 2026. This includes 38 graduates from the summer semester 2025 and 165 from the winter semester 2025/26. The total number of graduates can still increase until the end of the current winter semester on March 31, 2026.
Press Contact:
Nelly Sämann
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