At a ceremony attended by prominent representatives on Friday 26 June, Ulm University bid farewell to its long-serving Chief Financial Officer, Dieter Kaufmann, who is retiring. For 21 years he acted as head of administration and was responsible for finances, playing a key role in shaping the university’s development. Kaufmann was also in high demand beyond Ulm as an academic administrator and national spokesperson for university CFOs, thanks to his many years of experience and extensive expertise.
In his farewell speech, the outgoing Chief Financial Officer, Dieter Kaufmann, looked back on more than 40 years in academic administration, 21 of which he spent at Ulm University. For him, universities are special places of freedom in research and teaching, innovation and social progress. “Despite all freedoms enjoyed by universities, the Chief Financial Officer must ensure that legal regulations are observed,” Kaufmann emphasised.
He spoke with pride of the development of Ulm University during the past two decades. New degree programmes, research consortia, international collaborations and numerous construction projects were testament to successful joint efforts. Researchers and dedicated staff in academia, technology and administration had been crucial to this success, Kaufmann said. He expressed his particular thanks to the university executive boards, the university committees and the many partners both within and outside the university with whom he had enjoyed a trusting working relationship over the years.
In conclusion, the CFO looked to the future. He said he would remain connected to academia in retirement, whilst at the same time looking forward to new freedoms and spending time with his family, which he hoped to devote primarily to travelling and attending operas, plays and concerts. With great gratitude, he bid farewell to Ulm University and his colleagues.
Numerous high-ranking representatives from the worlds of academia and politics attended the farewell ceremony, including representatives from the German Research Foundation (DFG), the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), the CFO association and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Arts. The large number of speeches underscored the high regard in which Kaufmann is held, even beyond the region. The ceremony was chaired by Manfred Oster, Chairman of the Ulm University Society.
“An immense contribution to Ulm University”
The University President, Professor Michael Weber, outlined the successful development of Ulm University during Kaufmann’s tenure. For instance, the number of graduates rose from 800 in 2005 to 1,800 in 2025. The number of professorships increased by 30 per cent, state funding by 60 per cent and third-party funding by as much as 150 per cent. Kaufmann also played a key role in setting up important initiatives such as the International Graduate School for Molecular Medicine (IGradU) and the POLiS Cluster of Excellence. “Hardly anyone at the University of Ulm can imagine the university without Chief Financial Officer Kaufmann,” said Weber. Kaufmann had significantly professionalised the administrative processes in financial and human resources planning and played a decisive role in the university’s physical development. However, his influence was not limited to figures and structures. He also set the tone on campus and cultural life, for example with the beer garden at the Botanical Garden and the flat-rate theatre ticket scheme for students.
Dr Hans J. Reiter, Head of Department at the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts, paid tribute to Dieter Kaufmann as a reliable and experienced partner of the state. “His aim was always to facilitate high-quality services for excellent research and teaching,” said Reiter. The lawyer has been in close contact with Kaufmann for more than 30 years and holds the Tübingen native in high regard; Kaufmann is known far beyond the university for his aversion to unnecessary expenditure. “I would like to thank you very much – also on behalf of the state – for everything you have achieved,” Reiter said.
“A university does not become stronger if it is constantly given new tasks”
The President of the German Rectors’ Conference, Professor Walter Rosenthal, paid tribute to Kaufmann’s influence on German higher education policy. Through his many years as federal spokesperson for university chief financial officers, he had repeatedly highlighted the impact that political and legal regulations have on the day-to-day running of universities. “You have always pointed out that a university does not become stronger by being assigned new tasks, but by being enabled to fulfil its existing tasks effectively,” said Rosenthal. He also highlighted Kaufmann’s reliability, his perseverance, his commitment and, last but not least, his sense of humour.
In a video message, Albert Berger, CFO of the Technical University of Munich and former Federal Spokesperson, emphasised Kaufmann’s formative role within the Federal Association. “You have flown the flag for university administration and acted as a bridge between society, politics and academia,” said Berger. The German Research Foundation (DFG) also paid tribute to Kaufmann’s commitment. Secretary-General Dr Heide Ahrens thanked him for his work as Chair of the DFG’s Audit Committee and highlighted his sound judgement, his solution-oriented approach and his pragmatic preference for streamlined processes.
Speaking on behalf of the CFOs of the State of Baden-Württemberg was the deputy spokesperson for the State Association, Dr Katrin Schoppa-Baur. The Chancellor of the University of Mannheim conveyed the farewell greetings and best wishes from the state universities. The former Chair of the University Council, Dr Klaus Dieterich, also expressed his gratitude for the constructive collaboration: “Even at my very first meeting, I realised that we were dealing with a highly professional Chief Financial Officer. “With his commitment extending far beyond the role of head of administration, Kaufmann gave the University of Ulm a strong voice in important bodies and, conversely, raised awareness within the university of issues being discussed nationwide.”
In his video message, Thomas May, former Secretary-General of the German Science Council, paid tribute to Kaufmann’s long-standing commitment to the Science Council’s Medical Committee. For 13 years, he had contributed to the committee in a variety of ways and with great dedication. He was particularly impressed by the tenacity and confidence with which Kaufmann presented his views to the working group, as well as his interest in structural and policy issues relating to university medicine. “As Chief Financial Officer of a leading medical university, you were a great asset to this committee,” said May. Drawing on a quote from Schiller’s Don Carlos, May concluded his speech with the words “Only 70 years old and already having done so much for immortality”, and with best wishes to his wife and family.
Magnus Wuggazer, Chair of the Staff Council – who had fallen ill – sent a message via Staff Council Executive Committee member Moritz Biber, noting that the Ulm Chancellor always kept his eye on the bigger picture without losing sight of the people who breathe life into this university every day. “Our collaboration was always characterised by openness, respect and reliability, even when we did not see eye to eye,” were Wuggazer’s words. Biber personally wished Dieter Kaufmann well, hoping he would see his departure as a new freedom to explore new paths.
On behalf of the administration and the heads of departments, Heidi Krolopp, Head of Department I, thanked the outgoing University CFO. She said that Kaufmann had always managed the university’s finances with great care and strategic foresight. “You turned every euro over three times, thereby creating financial leeway for the university to address future challenges,” said Krolopp. As a symbolic gift, the Chief Financial Officer received an “Ulmer Gulden” cake.
At the end of the farewell ceremony, which was accompanied by music from Mirko Rossini (clarinet) and Marco Trenti (electric piano), the outgoing Chancellor, who is retiring on 30 June, received several minutes of applause and standing ovations - a fitting honour.
About Dieter Kaufmann
Dieter Kaufmann, born in Tübingen in 1956, studied business administration with a technical focus at the University of Stuttgart. Immediately after completing his studies, he became an adviser on planning and structural issues there and, after just one year, took over as head of the finance department. For 21 years, he was responsible for financial management and staffing at the University of Stuttgart; from 1996, he served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer. In 2005, he moved to Ulm University, where he took up the post of Chief Financial Officer. As head of administration, director of finance and a full-time member of the Executive Board, he has since played a key role in shaping the future Ulm University. The aim he set himself when taking up the post was to professionalise the administration and introduce business management processes into the university’s financial and human resources planning.
Dieter Kaufmann also holds offices and positions in research and science management beyond Ulm University. For example, the business administration graduate has been Chairman of the Board of the Centre for Science Management (ZWM) in Speyer since 2008. From 2013 to 2021, he was a member of the Medical Committee of the German Science Council, and from 2015 to 2025 he served as national spokesperson for the Association of Chancellors of German Universities. In 2020, he was also appointed Chair of the Audit Committee by the General Assembly of the German Research Foundation.
Text and media contact: Andrea Weber-Tuckermann, Press and Public Relations, andrea.weber-tuckermann(at)uni-ulm.de, Tel. (0731) 22024