On 1 October 2021, the Faculty of Communication and Environment honoured around 50 invited graduates at a ceremony in the Audimax in Kamp-Lintfort. As part of a festive programme, the President also offered the former students his best wishes for the future as they embark on the next stage of their lives: “We share in your joy at having successfully completed your studies and are convinced that this has provided you with an excellent foundation for your career. We wish you every success in your future endeavours,” said Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, President of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
Prof. Dr Andreas Schürholz, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Environment, and the programme directors echoed these congratulations. In his address, he also emphasised the importance of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees they had attained for the future careers of the newly qualified graduates. The Dean wished them continued success in their careers and encouraged them to act as ambassadors, proudly and confidently representing the names of their university and faculty to the world.
Andreas Kaudelka, President of the Campus Camp-Lintfort Friends’ Association, who was also present, highlighted in his speech the exceptional achievement of the graduates in successfully completing their degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the official presentation of certificates, everyone gathered in the campus courtyard in glorious autumn weather for the traditional group photograph, complete with the hat-tossing tradition.
On 12 November 2021, the Faculty of Society and Economics celebrated its 86 graduates in a hybrid format. As seating in the main lecture theatre was limited, some watched the ceremony via live stream. 71 graduates were delighted to receive their certificates in person. Together with other guests and members of the university community, a total of 195 people took part in the graduation ceremony. The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr Ralf Klapdor, welcomed the graduates and highlighted the exceptional achievements of the former students during the pandemic. Representing the University Executive Board, Prof. Dr Tatiana Zimenkova, Vice-President for International Affairs and Diversity, delivered the welcoming address. Prof. Dr Thomas Pitz provided musical entertainment on the grand piano, performing pieces he had composed himself.
Once again this year, Katjes Fassin GmbH & Co. KG awarded the Katjes Prize, worth 1,000 euros. All final-year dissertations from the Faculty of Society and Economics from the previous year that received a ‘very good’ grade are eligible for nomination. The selection is made by representatives of the university and the company based on criteria such as the practical relevance of the topic, the innovative nature of the approach, the feasibility of the results and the academic rigour of the work. The prize was awarded to Julian Sohst for his outstanding thesis entitled “Energency! The Emergence of Energy Currencies as a Sustainable Challenge for the Contemporary Monetary System”. The laudatory address was delivered by Prof. Dr Ralf Bauer.
The President of the ZONTA Club Niederrhein, Thea Remers, presented the ZONTA Student Award, worth 1,000 euros, to HSRW student Marina Thiel (photo) from the Faculty of Communication and Environment for her outstanding social commitment. The Union of German ZONTA Clubs, an international service organisation dedicated in particular to advancing the status of women in legal, political and economic spheres, presents awards once a year to support young women. The ZONTA Prize recognises committed female students and is intended to encourage them to stand up for their fellow human beings.
Mara Janßen, from the Childhood Education programme, was recognised as the best Bachelor’s graduate, whilst Jessica Jung, from the Sustainable Development Management programme, was recognised as the best Master’s graduate.
Over 50 graduates had registered for the hybrid ceremony; together with 35 other viewers, they watched the YouTube stream: on 19 November 2021, the Faculties of Life Sciences and Technology and Bionics held their graduation ceremony in a hybrid format.
Two students from the Faculty of Life Sciences were honoured at the ceremony: Blanca Paschen and Gaurav Mahajan. Paschen won two prizes for her project ‘Ways4Water’, one of which was awarded by the Förderverein Campus Cleve e.V., represented at the event by the association’s vice-chair, Monika Geenen. Mahajan was honoured for his outstanding academic achievement.
Following welcoming addresses by the President, the deans and the programme directors, the names of the graduates were read out. The graduates then gathered in a virtual space to raise a toast.
Graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Society and Economics: © Markus van Offern
