The universities and research institutions in Hesse are key drivers for innovation and development in our country. They provide the framework for new ideas and innovations and help find answers to questions and challenges that affect all of us. Consequently, education, science and research are top priorities for us in Hesse. And our efforts are paying off: Hesse is among the top 10 most innovative regions in Europe.

Hochschule Geisenheim University is an important part of Hesse’s educational infrastructure and a shining example of its successful ongoing development. Since 2013, it has been Germany’s first university of a new type to be evaluated by the German Council of Science and Humanities, and is characterized by an innovative combination of research, practical applications and teaching. The university’s excellent reputation shows that Hesse has set off in the right direction with this innovative approach. Being part of the Geisenheim family is a special trademark that is particularly respected among wine professionals and, of course, in other disciplines as well.

Hochschule Geisenheim University has grown enormously over the last 150 years and I am convinced that you will continue to build on your achievements. With your practical and solution-oriented research and teaching, you are making a significant contribution to one of the major challenges of our time: shaping a sustainable and livable future. I am pleased to congratulate all employees and students on the 150^th anniversary of the university. With your daily work, you breathe life into our initiative “Hessen schafft Wissen” which aims to promote science and research in our federal state.

Boris Rhein

Minister President of the State of Hesse

When Heinrich Eduard von Lade founded the Königlich Preußische Lehranstalt für Obst- und Weinbau in Geisenheim on October 19, 1872, he was guided by the great vision to closely intertwine agricultural theory and practice. The school started off rather small with six students but has continuously grown to become a modern university with 1,812 students. Congratulations on your 150^th anniversary!

With its focus on viticulture, fruit-growing and horticulture the school gained an outstanding reputation by the end of the 19^th century. After the end of the restrictions imposed by the two World Wars, it was able to build on its previous success from 1950 onwards: the number of students increased, modern laboratories and facilities were built and the institution continued to raise its profile, especially in beverage technology.

In 2013, the university once again took a bold step: As a “university of a new type”, it turned into Hochschule Geisenheim University with a special profile. Since then, it has been the first university throughout Germany to combine practical training sessions with excellent research-based scientific education, offering outstanding opportunities to train and promote creative and smart talents.

This progressive approach is also reflected in the university’s research activities. With its focus on organic viticulture, resource management and climate research, Hochschule Geisenheim University is vigorously looking for answers to the most important challenges of our time such as climate change and its effects. The resulting research findings are of key importance to shape a sustainable future.

I would like to thank all of you who drive Hochschule Geisenheim University forward with great commitment. For the future, I wish you every success in the development and implementation of innovative ideas.

Yours sincerely

Angela Dorn

Hessian Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts

Congratulations on your 150th anniversary!

This is a special milestone which illustrates your impressive track record. From the very beginnings in 1872 as Königlich Preußische Lehranstalt für Obst- und Weinbau to the founding of Hochschule Geisenheim University in 2013, our “Institute for Pomology” has grown tremendously to become an internationally renowned player in the scientific community.

We are proud to say: WE are Geisenheim! After all, it is not a coincidence that our mission statement is characterized by education, culture and wine.

Today, the university is not only one of the largest employers of our town, but offers a first-class education to over 1,800 students who come from all parts of the world. Being part of the Geisenheim community means being part of a diverse international network – it is a distinction and opens up many opportunities worldwide.

Climate research, sustainability, diversity, or start-up support for young entrepreneurs – the most important topics that are shaping our future are already an integral part of Geisenheim’s scientific and local agenda today.

I would like to thank all members of our university for their commitment, and wish all members of the Geisenheim network here and around the world all the best and great success.

Yours sincerely

Christian Aßmann

Mayor of the University Town of Geisenheim