Hochschule Geisenheim University and VEG – Geisenheim Alumni Association e. V celebrated a very special graduation on Friday, March 26, 2021. Although the graduates of the winter semester 2020/21 could not celebrate their academic achievements in Eberbach Monastery as in the years before, the second digital graduation was nevertheless exceptional thanks to many digital get-togethers and a very exclusive wine tasting "Wine meets Chocolate".
"Wine and chocolate is perfect soul food for this new chapter in your lives. The time after your graduation will definately be as exciting as the exam phase", explained Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz, President of Hochschule Geisenheim University who also referred to the special circumstances the graduates had to cope with due to the ongoing corona pandemic.
VEG President Robert Lönarz invited the 161 graduates to become a member of the alumni association and offered "to support you in building your network and planning your career" - also in a traditional face-to-face setting on campus, as soon as the current restrictions are lifted.
The actual graduation was divided into three sessions according to degree programs. Before and after the ceremony, the newly graduated Bachelor's and Master's students had the chance to get together with their fellow students in virtual breakout rooms. Family members were invited to watch the ceremony via a live stream.
The first session included a little surprise when Prof. Gerd Helget announced the winner of the Landscape Architecture Student's Award for the winter semester 2020/21: Ruth Bindewald, graduate of the M.Sc. Landscape Architecture program, and Anke Otten, graduate of the respective B.Sc. program received the award. The official ceremony with the award sponsors – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gartenkunst und Landschaftskultur e. V., Bund Deutscher Landschaftsarchitekten bdla, Landesverband Hessen e. V., Fachverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau Hessen-Thüringen e. V. as well as Hessische Vereinigung für Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege e. V. –will be held at a later date.
An exclusive wine tasting "Wine meets Chocolate", hosted by Prof. Dr. Rainer Jung and his colleague Doris Häge, M.Sc. from the Department of Enology at Hochschule Geisenheim University, marked the grand finale of the graduation ceremony. The graduates had received the tasting package, which included a Riesling and a Frühburgunder from the university's winery as well as three different chocolates and, of course, the famous graduation hat, in advance by mail.
