Outstanding Individuals – Special Dedication

University of Freiburg Rector Prof. Dr. Hans-Jochen Schiewer has honored three outstanding individuals for their special dedication to the university. The Secretary General of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and a former university council member, Dr. Dorothea Rüland, has been named an honorary senator. University Medals have been awarded to the Chairman of the Investigative Commission on Academic Integrity, Klaus Lernhart, and the long-time Director of the "Colloquium Politicum," Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rüland.

Dorothea Rüland has been named an honorary senator – the highest level of distinction conferred by the University of Freiburg – for her long years of work and outstanding contribution to the internationalization of the university and establishing its network around the globe. As a member of the University Council from April 2011 to April 2020 she advised the Rectorate on strategic questions. As she worked, she considered internationalization an interdisciplinary issue that included and changed all areas of the university. In this regard, she supported and augmented efforts within the university as well as in the work of the International Office. What is more, she repeatedly advocated raising corresponding awareness for this work – from the creation of a university website to establishing personnel and service structures. She has always perceived herself as far more than an external advisor and ally, viewing herself as part of the university as well. A University of Freiburg alumna, Rüland has since February 2013 been Deputy Chairwoman of the funding association Alumni Freiburg e.V. She has worked to set up a world-wide network of alumni and acted as a distinguished ambassador for the university – last but not least thanks to her willingness to take many trips abroad and appear with Freiburg alumni wherever they may be. Among other things, Rüland paved the way for the establishment of the  "Liaison Office" in New York, which opened new opportunities and paths for the university's network of researchers and alumni in North America.

Until August 2015, Klaus Lernhart was the presiding judge at the administrative court of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The University of Freiburg Senate meanwhile appointed him to the newly created Investigative Commission on Academic Integrity in May 2011. He has been chairman of the group at its formative session in November of that same year. In May of 2020, the Senate appointed him to serve three more years in the position. Lernhart is being awarded the University Medal for his contributions to ensuring academic integrity at the University of Freiburg. The Investigative Commission advises the Rector on affairs pertaining to academic integrity and examines evidence of academic misconduct, for example, in the form of plagiarism or manipulation of data. In the absence of written rules and established measures for many types of cases and questions, under Lennart's chairmanship, the Commission has developed a system of principles and measures as it worked through individual cases over the years. Through his dedication, he has simultaneously contributed to a greater level of confidence in academics and research.

Jürgen Rüland led the University of Freiburg's "Colloquium Politicum" from July 1999 until he was made an Emeritus Professor of International Politics in September 2019. He is being awarded the University Medal for his contribution to the political discourse and transfer of knowledge in the city and the region. During the past two decades, Rüland has decisively shaped the image of the Colloquium Politicum. This is displayed by the topics and lecturers that he selected with careful consideration and forward-looking awareness. Rüland succeeded in bringing first class personalities to Freiburg to carry out intensive debates over current political issues. Beyond that, he added new formats to the program – including the lectures known as the "Berliner Reden," the Development Policy Symposium, or "Speed-Dating," in which individuals from Freiburg who are running for election to the European Parliament or the German parliament, the Bundestag, are each given 120 seconds to present their positions to students. Important to him above all has been offering students and residents of the region intellectual stimulation beyond the horizons of their own expertise.

Press photos for download

	Rector Hans-Jochen Schiewer with Dorothea Rüland and Jürgen Rüland. Photo: Jörg Blum
	Rectorate's member Giesela Riescher with Klaus Lernhart. Photo: Jörg Blum

Videos of the award ceremony (German only)

Honorary Senator awarded to Dr. Dorothea Rüland

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University medal awarded to Klaus Lernhart

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University medal awarded to Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rüland

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