Graduates from the fields of wine and beverages, food safety and logistics, horticulture, and landscape architecture were welcomed to the ceremony by Professor Hans Reiner Schultz, President of Hochschule Geisenheim University, and Professor Mirjam Hey, Vice-President of Academic & Student Affairs. Relatives and friends of the graduates were also naturally invited to join in the festivities, resulting in a grand total of over 500 attendees.
In her welcome speech, Professor Mirjam Hey emphasized the quality of the professional qualifications achieved by the new graduates, as well as their ability to innovate: “With the degree you have attained at Hochschule Geisenheim University, you have gained the specialist knowledge and skills needed to evolve and make an impact as professionals and leaders in the fields of wine, food, horticulture, and landscape architecture, as well as many other sub-sectors. You unite practical skills with innovation, science, and knowledge – a great basis for your continued development. We are wishing you all the best for your future endeavors and are looking forward to staying in contact with you all.”
The President of the VEG – Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V., Robert Lönarz, also congratulated the graduates on their success. He invited them to stay connected to the university through the alumni network and to use the association for further professional and personal exchange.
One highlight of the event was the graduate speeches, in which students from each degree program took to the stage to address fellow graduates and their lecturers. After these personal, emotional, and often amusing reflections on their journey at Geisenheim, the proud graduates were then presented their certificates by the heads of their respective degree programs. Each graduate was also congratulated personally by a representative of the alumni association, who presented them each with a rose and a university pin. After all the certificates were awarded, there was nothing left for the graduates to do but gather outside the building and throw their caps into the air in celebration.
Official Farewells for Professor Beate Berkelmann-Löhnertz and Professor Gerd Helget
The university also took the opportunity to honor two long-standing lecturers who have recently retired during the graduation ceremony. Professor Berkelmann-Löhertz helped shape the Geisenheim Research Institute, a precursor to the university, and has been a key member of the Department of Crop Protection since joining as an honorary professor in 1987. Gerd Helget, who has been Professor of Garden and Project Management since 2008, was also honored for his commitment to the university and for his many years of service as an advisor for landscape architecture and horticulture in the alumni association. University President Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz thanked both professors for their dedication and many years of teaching.
The event concluded with a reception, allowing graduates, friends, families, and staff the chance to celebrate with wine and finger food in a relaxed atmosphere. As part of the event program, the graduates and their families also had the fantastic opportunity to take pictures in a special VW camper van photo booth, an attraction provided by the alumni association.
Hochschule Geisenheim University congratulates all its graduates and looks forward to continuing to support through its growing alumni network. We wish you all the best for your future endeavors!
Note: The previously quoted figure of 166 graduates includes all graduates who finished their degree in the period between the 2024 summer semester graduation ceremony (cut-off: July 26, 2024) and this graduation ceremony (cut-off: March 20, 2025). In terms of the allocation to semesters, this corresponds to a total of 29 latecomers from the 2024 summer semester and 137 graduates from the 2024/25 winter semester. The number of graduates will increase slightly by the end of the current winter semester (March 31).
Press contact:
Nelly Sämann
Phone: +49 6722 502 – 6204
E-mail: nelly.saemann(at)hs-gm.de
