With a huge round of applause, personal appreciations and a symbolic gesture, Hochschule Geisenheim University bid farewell to its long-standing president Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz on Thursday, June 25. After more than 13 years at the head of the university, his successor Prof. Dr. habil. Karl H. Mühling received the official seal representing the university’s authority in front of around 400 guests from the world of politics, academia, business and society.
Prof. Mühling had already taken office on June 1. However, with the ceremonial handover of the official seal, this transition has now reached its official and symbolic conclusion. Timon Gremmels, Hesse’s Science Minister, presented the seal to Prof. Mühling and paid tribute to the outstanding achievements of the outgoing president Prof. Schultz and the unique role of the university for academia, business and society.
During Prof. Schultz‘ tenure, the university has evolved into an internationally renowned institution, integrating research, education and practical application. This is also demonstrated by the way the campus has grown over the last years. In the newly built Beverage Technology Center, and the soon-to-be-completed VITA Research Center, researchers address vital questions from agriculture and the food industry – topics of future relevance which have also been in the center of Prof. Schultz’ work. “I’d like to thank him very much for his commitment”, says Science Minister Timon Gremmels. “His successor, Prof. Mühling, is a perfect fit to advance the university because of his extensive academic background and professional expertise as a plant scientist. Congratulations once again on your election! I wish you the best of luck and great success in your new role."
Prof. Mühling also took the stage: “Prof. Schultz has turned the university into a ‘new type institution’. The opportunity to lead this exceptional institution – which combines basic and applied research with the authority to grant doctoral degrees in a way that is unique in Germany – was a major motivation for me to apply for this position. Once again, I’d like to thank the selection committee and the extended university senate as well as the ministry for appointing me. I’ll bring an external perspective into this position with the aim to extend Hochschule Geisenheim University’s international reputation to encompass the full spectrum of special crops.”
Unconventional ceremony, extensive program and a lot of appreciation
Ahead of the official ceremony, the guests had the chance to explore the university’s research and teaching infrastructure first-hand. Guided tours of the Beverage Technology Center, the Food Safety Building and the Department of Crop Protection’s Entomology Lab offered exciting insights into the university’s state-of-the-art facilities. The tours were followed by a summer get-together, offering lots of opportunities for personal exchange.
The following 3-hour program featured personal greetings, musical performances and a special stage talk. In a casual atmosphere, personalities from the world of politics and business as well as university members and longtime colleagues shared personal anecdotes, reminiscing about key moments of Prof. Schultz’ tenure. Most of the contributions focused on the university’s founding and development, its growing international network, numerous construction and infrastructure projects, and its close collaboration with industry and the region.
The former Hessian Minister President, Volker Bouffier, for example, recalled the captivating history of Hochschule Geisenheim University, the trustful cooperation with Prof. Schultz, and the time of the university’s founding. “The path to becoming an independent university was not a sure thing. There were many ideas, many discussions, and quite a few hurdles. That made me all the more impressed by the perseverance of Hans Reiner Schultz and our constructive collaboration. The fact that the Geisenheim model ultimately prevailed secured a better future for this institution.”
Dr. Hermann Kolesch, Chair of the University Council, placed a special emphasis on the sustainable development of the university over the past 13 years: “Prof. Schultz also served as an ambassador for the Geisenheim brand. He made our university shine far beyond Germany and, at the same time, left a lasting mark through new buildings, international networking, and a clear strategic vision.”
The university's development under Prof. Schultz’ leadership is considered one of the most successful periods in its history. Research and teaching were consistently expanded, new degree programs were established, international collaborations were strengthened, and numerous state-of-the-art buildings and research infrastructures were created. The former research institution turned into an independent “new type” university with international appeal and a unique focus on special crops.
Geisenheim’s mayor Christian Aßmann also paid tribute to Prof. Schultz outstanding achievements: “Hans Reiner Schultz was not just the president of the university, he was also truly dedicated to the city of Geisenheim. He brought the university to life across the city. Thanks to his commitment, Geisenheim and its university are now more closely connected than ever. I hope that in the future, he will be walking across the campus feeling proud, knowing that many of the things around him were created thanks to his perseverance and dedication.”
At the end of the ceremony, Prof. Schultz took the stage himself and addressed staff and guests: “I’d like to thank all those who have put together the program and helped organize this event. I'm quite speechless and feel incredibly honored”. He also looked ahead and offered words of encouragement for the years to come: “The time ahead won’t be as easy as some of the phases I’ve experienced. We’ll need everyone’s help. In Geisenheim, we have a special mindset – on campus but also in our national and international projects. That’s why I wish my successor and the entire university that they’ll always make the right decisions – with both heart and mind.”
During the following summer reception in front of the Lecture Hall Building, staff, alumni, friends of the university and numerous guests enjoyed the casual atmosphere to share anecdotes and toast to the work of Prof. Schultz and the future of Hochschule Geisenheim University.
The event was kindly supported by Geisenheim Alumni Association (VEG), Bund deutscher Oenologen (BDO), and Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Hochschule Geisenheim e.V. (GFHG)
Photos: Hochschule Geisenheim / Woody T. Herner
