The event kicked off with speeches by the university’s President, Professor Hans Reiner Schultz, and the Vice-President of Student and Academic Affairs, Professor Mirjam Hey, who welcomed the graduates of the university’s core disciplines: wine and beverages, food products, horticulture, and landscape architecture.
In her speech, Professor Hey honored the achievements of the graduates, emphasizing the importance of their education in these dynamic times: “Through your studies at Hochschule Geisenheim University you have expanded your knowledge, honed your skills, and sharpened your foresight, preparing you to step into roles as specialists and leaders in the wine and food industries, horticulture, or landscape architecture, and to actively shape our shared future. You represent the combination of three qualities that are needed now more than ever: scientific thinking, innovative spirit, and an affinity for praxis-oriented problem solving. We sincerely wish you positivity, confidence, and success on your path and will be glad to remain connected as you move forward.”
Robert Lönarz, president of the Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V. (VEG), likewise congratulated graduates on their success in his welcome address. In his speech, he encouraged graduates to remain connected to the university through its vibrant alumni network, which acts as a platform for exchanging professional and personal experiences, contacts, and ideas.
A particular highlight of the graduation ceremony was the speeches made by the representatives of various degree programs. Although brief, the graduate speeches offered personal insights into the experience of studying at Geisenheim, the reflections humorous at times, at others emotional. Once a representative for the degree program had given their speech, the graduates were invited to the stage to collect their graduation certificate from the head of their program. Board members from the alumni association also awarded each graduate with a rose and a commemorative Geisenheim pin.
Awarding the Doctoral Certificates: Logistics, High-Temperature Processes, and Vertical Planting
Professor Annette Reineke, the university’s Vice President for Research, took the opportunity to also award three researchers with their doctoral certificates:
- Dr. Marcel Fackert
Dissertation: "Analysis and Design of Logistics Processes in the German Quality Sparkling Wine Industry with Special Consideration of Digitalization and Automation" - Dr. Ngoc Duc Lê
Dissertation: “Investigation of the Potential Allergenicity and Coloration of Peanut and Hazelnut Regarding Different High-Temperature Processing Methods” - Dr. Maren Stollberg
Dissertation: "Vertical Planting Design: The Suitability and Microclimatic Effect of Perennials in a Textile Living Wall System"
Rudolf Hermanns Foundation Prize
At the ceremony, Dr. Leonie Dries was also awarded with the €1,500 Rudolf Hermanns Foundation Prize for her doctoral thesis titled “Microbial Structure and Diversity in the Rhizosphere of Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.)”. In her research, she examined bacterial communities in the grapevine rhizosphere under various influences such as nitrogen fertilization, grape varieties, and rootstocks. The aim is to positively support grapevines via the rhizosphere in the future, especially in the light of climatic challenges.
The laudatory speech was delivered by Professor Otmar Löhnertz, who served as the primary supervisor for Dr. Dries’ dissertation.
The event was once again expertly moderated by Geisenheim alumna Katharina Höfling and featured outstanding musical accompaniment by the duo Nico Hering & Peter Klostermann.
The official ceremony concluded with the symbolic tossing of graduation caps in front of the lecture hall building, a joyous way to mark the graduates successful completion of their studies and the beginning of a new chapter.
Hochschule Geisenheim University warmly congratulates all graduates, doctoral recipients, and the award winner, and wishes them every success in the future, whether they are taking their first steps in their professional life, beginning a master’s program, or pursuing an academic career.
Note: The figure of 141 graduates includes all degrees awarded between the last academic celebration (March 21, 2025) and July 24, 2025. In terms of semester classification, this includes two late graduates from the winter semester 2024/25 and 139 graduates from the summer semester 2025. The number of graduates will increase slightly by the end of the current summer semester on September 30.
About the Rudolf Hermanns Foundation
The foundation awards prizes of up to €12,500 for outstanding achievements in all areas of viticulture and horticultural sciences. Its goal is to honor scientific work in these fields that, while considering practical aspects, contributes to the advancement of the disciplines. The foundation is affiliated with Hochschule Geisenheim University and has been awarding this prize since 1991.
To learn more, please visit the Rudolf Hermanns Foundation page.
