Professor Dr Marie-Louise Klotz, founding president of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, was given a ceremonial send-off today during a ceremony held at the university’s Kleve campus.
Kleve/Kamp-Lintfort, 30 April 2015: On 30 April 2015, Prof. Klotz stepped down from her post as the founding president of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences after a very successful six-year term. The invitation to her farewell ceremony was accepted by numerous guests from the worlds of politics, academia and business, as well as many members of the university community.
Highest recognition
“If, since its foundation, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences has been – and continues to be – associated in the public eye primarily with one name and one face – that of Professor Marie-Louise Klotz – then this bears witness to what defines a founding president of her calibre: her all-encompassing commitment to causes and people, her unflagging energy and her convictions – drawing strength from the latter and putting them to good use – sustained the university during its founding phase. I am convinced that we will continue to benefit from this for a long time to come and in far-reaching ways. ‘I find it difficult at this point to limit my recognition and thanks to the moment of the handover of office,’ says the Vice-President for Research and Development at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr Peter Scholz, in his retrospective.
State Secretary Dr Thomas Grünewald conveyed thanks and greetings from the Minister for Science, Svenja Schulze, for the successful work carried out over the six years since the university’s foundation. “The university stands on a solid foundation. But it is not just the university; the region and the academic landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia have also benefited from your experience, your commitment and your expertise.” Grünewald highlighted the university’s impressive figures: “Of the more than 5,000 students, around a third – that is, almost 1,800 – are international students from more than 100 countries. That is internationalism in action.”
Prof. Klotz expressed his delight and satisfaction with the goals achieved by Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences both at home and abroad, describing it as a beacon within the higher education landscape. “Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, at its current stage of development after six years, is the result of a successful team-led process. I would like to thank all the lecturers and staff in academic, administrative and technical roles for their unparalleled commitment during the founding phase of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. I would also like to thank all the university’s partners and sponsors from the worlds of politics, business, academia, civil society and the media for their unparalleled support.”
