University Medal for Matthias Schenek

The modernization of the university administration and development of administration personnel were central to his work: now, after 14 years, Dr. Matthias Schenek is leaving his post as head of administration at the University of Freiburg. In recognition of his efforts and his service on behalf of the University of Freiburg, the rector, Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein, awarded him the University Medal.

“In both his periods in office Matthias Schenek engaged strongly on behalf of the University of Freiburg and above all the administration and shaped it in many areas,” the rector declared. “His years of experience and expertise were extremely valuable to me in many ways when I entered office.”

The University of Freiburg’s staff council also remarked on its lengthy and constructive cooperation, “In Matthias Schenek we had a head of administration who campaigned for the interests of the staff even in difficult times.”

Schenek completed his PhD in legal studies in 1994 and went on to work as a speaker for the Ministry of Science and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of State. Since April 1, 2008 he has been the head of administration at the University of Freiburg. During his first period in office he oversaw amongst other things the reorganization of the university’s accounting system to a commercial system, the renovation of the University Library, the introduction of a sophisticated personnel development concept, the expansion of child-care structures to meet growing needs, an occupational health management system and the successful realization of a mission statement-based process for the administration. He was also responsible for the university improving the energy-efficiency of its facilities and properties and optimized energy-production structures. In his second period in office he evaluated and modernized the Central University Administration, expanded personnel development to the decentralized units, and worked to improve the energy and environmental balance sheet of the university.

His successor, Christina Leib, will assume the role of head of administration on April 1, 2022.