A total of 188 anniversaries were celebrated this year. Behind this impressive number are life paths closely linked to Geisenheim: professional careers that began here, wineries and businesses shaped by Geisenheim expertise, and personal networks that have endured over decades and continue to contribute significantly to the reputation of the university.

Making Alumni Connections Visible

Many alumni returned in person for the ceremony, once again underscoring their close ties to Hochschule Geisenheim University. These encounters offer insights into professional development, achievements, and current fields of activity, and make the broad professional and personal diversity of the alumni network tangible.

One such example was Peter Friedrichsohn, who traveled from the Stuttgart area to attend. He presented a selection of regional wines, including products from winemakers with a Geisenheim background. His descriptions of origin, vinification, and the individual style of the respective alumni wineries vividly reflected the breadth, quality, and innovative strength of the Geisenheim network.

The bottles he donated to the university’s wine collection represent a tangible piece of alumni history: a symbol of lived connection and decades of academic exchange.

Honoring the Special Bond between the University and its Alumni 

Although the annual general meeting is formally an association event of the VEG, it holds special significance for Hochschule Geisenheim University. It highlights how strong the bond remains between former students and staff and the university, even if that bond spans many decades.

This is precisely where the university’s strategic alumni relations work comes into play. Karina Klotz, Alumni Relations Officer at Hochschule Geisenheim University, emphasizes:

‘The recognition of long-standing VEG members demonstrates how strongly our alumni remain connected to their alma mater. Behind every anniversary is a story that began in Geisenheim and continues to have an impact today, in businesses, wineries, and networks around the world. For the university, these encounters are immensely valuable: they show how vibrant and diverse our alumni network is and how great the potential remains for exchange, cooperation, and shared growth.'

For the university, such moments are important points of contact for:

•          highlighting inspiring alumni stories; 

•          engaging with current developments within the network;

•          strategically strengthening channels of communication; and

•          developing new forms of cooperation, from applied projects to mentoring and knowledge transfer.

Once again, the annual general meeting demonstrated the essential role of alumni as ambassadors of the university and how they represent an active, vibrant, and indispensable part of the Geisenheim community.