An entertaining stage show, a serenade from professors, a guest performance by the Fischertänze and, of course, the hat toss in front of a dream backdrop in the best summer weather: this was the second edition of Ulm University's Academic Graduation Ceremony on Münsterplatz, which was attended by almost 4,000 people in total on Friday, 18 July, including around 800 graduates. They celebrated with their families and friends until late into the evening.
It was an emotional moment under the highest church tower in the world when around 800 festively dressed young people with turquoise-coloured sashes around their shoulders and black hats on their heads made their way onto Münsterplatz on Friday afternoon. Whether bachelor's, master's or award of a doctoral degree: they all have their degrees in their pockets and had come together to celebrate. After the premiere last year, Ulm University organised the Academic Graduation Ceremony for the second time, at which all graduates were bid farewell together. It was held under the motto "Shaping the world with curiosity and passion" and once again marked the start of the Ulm graduation weekend.
Presenter Natasha Walker and graduate Dominik Schmid not only entertained the audience on stage during the ceremony, but also repeatedly took the floor from the ranks of the graduates. University President Professor Michael Weber said that he didn't have a graduation ceremony back then: "You collected your certificate and rejoiced in silence." He was all the more pleased about the event in the heart of the city "with the best students there are". In conversation with Weber, Ulm's Lord Mayor Martin Ansbacher praised the cooperation between the University and the city. "It has brought us prosperity." Addressing the graduates, the Lord Mayor said: "The fact that you are here today is a wonderful sight and I hope you see it that way too." He wished the young people "that you keep Ulm in good memory and carry the Ulm spirit into the world".
In short video clips, students, graduates and teaching staff talked about what they particularly appreciate about Ulm University: for example, their patient lecturers, the proximity to nature and the personal interaction with each other. On stage, the two StuVe delegates Sebastian Sander and Jana Tertel called on students to get involved on a voluntary basis during their studies - whether in the institutionalised student body or in the volunteer Fire service. A special highlight was the procession of the Fischerstecher, who performed their tie dances on Münsterplatz. "We are the tradition - we combine the old with the new," said Karin Krings from the Ulmer Schifferverein about the custom.
The "Prof-isorium" project choir, in which teaching staff sang together with members of the university choir, made things even more emotional: professors had written new lyrics to the songs "Die Gedanken sind frei" and "We Are the Champions", which they addressed to their former students. Finally, substitutes from all four faculties congratulated the young people before the highlight of the ceremony: After a countdown, the graduates threw their hats into the sky against a spectacular backdrop.
Even after the official end of the ceremony, the guests remained together for a long time. Proud parents presented bouquets of flowers, pictures were taken in front of a photo wall and selfies were taken in front of the cathedral. The evening ended with the "Schwör mal!" party and a concert by Glasperlenspiel - and those who still hadn't had enough partying continued dancing at the afterparty in Cocomo. The Academic Graduation Ceremony was organised by the Marketing department of Ulm University.
Further information: Diana Frankenhauser, Department of Marketing, Mail: diana.frankenhauser@uni-ulm.de
Text: Christine Liebhardt / Media contact: Press and Public Relations Ulm University