The VEG-Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V. awards the Professor Müller-Thurgau award to those who have shown special commitment to nowadays Hochschule Geisenheim University. „For the first time in history the prize is awarded to a family“ said Julia Klöckner during her speech in the “Spätlesereiter” hall at Schloss Johannisberg. Klöckner wondered „why is it only now that they receive the award? Both have a very special relationship to wine and were practically (wine-) bottle-fed“ Klöckner said jokingly. Dr. Franz Josef Jung who is also godfather to Ingmar Jung has left „a significant imprint on German politics and has an excellent knowledge of wine“. However his position as a former federal minister is of only marginal importance when it comes to the award. The decisive reason were his years as a state secretary for the Hessian ministry for science and arts.

In her speech Klöckner also mentioned the termination of the “Staatsvertrag“ (a contract between the Hochschule and the state) by Rhineland-Palatinate in 2010. It was this event that sparked the founding of nowadays Hochschule Geisenheim University. The two laureates played a significant role in this national pioneer project. „The termination of the contract was a politically controversial decision, but it gave us the chance to turn everything upside down. This wouldn’t have been possible without the spirit and commitment of Hochschule Geisenheim University“ said Ingmar Jung, thanking the VEG and the „hip university“.

His uncle’s commitment to Hochschule Geisenheim goes back to 1991 when he became the chair of the Geisenheim “Förderverein” (association). In his acceptance speech Jung talked about his own development as well as that of the Hochschule, promising to “continue supporting Geisenheim in one way or the other”.

“We’re holding a meeting of the federal ministry for wine” said Ingmar Jung jokingly. All three are members of the CDU and have a connection to wine-making. Dr. Franz Josef Jung and Ingmar Jung both come from a family of vintners and Klöckner’s brother graduated from Hochschule Geisenheim University.

“A good choice” said vice-president of academic & student affairs Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz. President of the alumni association Robert Lönarz emphasized that without Dr. Franz Josef Jung and his nephew the Hochschule wouldn’t be what it is today. Lönarz surprised everyone attending the ceremony when he presented the federal minister with a custom made “Klöckner-Weinelf-jersey”. To end the event VDP Rheingau chairman Wilhelm Weil led a tour around the “Rheingau Open” in the “Fürst von Metternich” hall.

photos: https://bilddb-srv.hs-geisenheim.de/publications/OpenContent/?list_id=185288