On 16 November 2024, Paderborn University's Audimax was transformed into a place of joy and appreciation: around 200 graduates of the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics celebrated the successful completion of their studies together with their families, friends and the faculty. The "Day of Economics" provided a worthy stage for outstanding achievements and special moments - as well as a glimpse into the future.
The event kicked off with a video in which students shared personal impressions and memories of their time at university. The Dean of the faculty, Prof Dr Jens Müller, welcomed the guests and congratulated the graduates on their successes: "We are proud of our graduates, whose success stories reflect the quality and commitment of our faculty. Shape the world with your knowledge and stay connected with us!" In his speech, he presented the Faculty's innovative research activities and emphasised its contribution to solving current social challenges. A special item on the programme was the first presentation of the "Dean's Service Award", with which Prof. Dr. Stefan Betz was honoured for his exceptional commitment as Chairman of the Examination Board.
Inspiration and outlook
Dr Kostja Siefen, 2nd Chairman of the alumni association Paderborner Hochschulkreis e. V., led through the rest of the programme. In an interview, Prof. Dr Jens Müller and Prof. Dr René Fahr, Vice President for Knowledge and Technology Transfer at Paderborn University, provided insights into their work and current developments at Paderborn University. Both emphasised the importance of the faculty for the German university landscape: "Paderborn University is one of the leading locations for business administration and economics in Germany. You must not forget that. Take responsibility and fully utilise your opportunities," appealed Fahr.
This year's guest of honour, Dr Eugen Dimant, Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, was an impressive example of the opportunities available to graduates. Under the motto "Experiment. Fail. Grow." he shared five lessons for success after graduation in his keynote speech. Dimant, who once studied and completed his doctorate in Paderborn, spoke about his journey from difficult beginnings in Germany after fleeing Moldova as a child to his appointment to the White House.
Prizes for special achievements
Two new awards were also presented during the event. The "Award for outstanding theses with a focus on gender and diversity" went to Luisa Vockel for her bachelor's thesis on "Achieving pay equity between men and women in the employment relationship - legal management instruments and HR practice five years after the German Pay Transparency Act came into force". The award was presented by Prof Dr Tobias Jenert, Dean of Research at the faculty.
The "Horst Gräfer Prize", which honours people with unconventional life paths and social commitment, was also awarded for the first time. This year's winners, Dr Reyhaneh Safaei and Thorben Scholz, each received prize money of €5,000. "With this award, we would like to commemorate the legacy of Prof. Dr Horst Gräfer - with the support of two foundations set up by alumni," explained Dr Andreas Leimbach, who introduced the award ceremony as co-initiator of the Horst Gräfer Award and alumni of the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. As a university lecturer at Paderborn University from 1972 to 2005, Horst Gräfer accompanied and shaped numerous students on their way to successful careers.
A worthy conclusion
The day culminated in a gala dinner and faculty party in the Schützenhof, where the graduates once again had the opportunity to socialise with each other and their lecturers.
We would like to thank all the sponsors who made this special day possible, in particular Techniker Krankenkasse, which took over the printing of the yearbooks and shortened the waiting time until the certificates were awarded with a smoothie stand. We received further support from myconsult GmbH and Sparkasse Paderborn-Detmold-Höxter.
The Faculty of Business Administration and Economics would like to congratulate all graduates on their successful degrees and wish them all the best for their future careers.
