Many Special Moments for Doctoral Jubilarians

It was certainly a special moment that saw the most vigorous ovation of the evening when Dr.-Ing. Dorothee Bonnenberg was invited to the stage of the Aula of the RWTH Main Building by Prof. Bernd Markert, Rector’s Delegate for Alumni of RWTH and moderator of this year's doctoral anniversary. Dorothee Bonnenberg was the first woman to receive a doctorate in electrical engineering at RWTH in 1970 and was now able to accept her renewal certificate marking her golden doctoral anniversary from RWTH Rector Prof. Ulrich Rüdiger in person. Bonnenberg was only thus honored thanks to the efforts of a fellow jubilarian, Dr. Carsten Sürig. Dorothee Bonnenberg was actually scheduled to receive her special distinction at last year's doctoral jubilee, which, however, had to be canceled due to the pandemic. Without further ado, Dr. Sürig invited his former lab director to accompany him to the celebration this year and informed the alumni team responsible for organizing the event.

Around 110 doctoral jubilarians, including 27 golden jubilarians, accepted the Rector's invitation to come to the special event in Aachen with their guests. Professor Rüdiger was particularly pleased that the event once again could take place in person this year. This gave him the opportunity to talk to and meet many of RWTH’s former doctoral candidates. Last but not least, the Aula of the Main Building provided an elaborate setting that also brought back memories of student life for many of those present. In addition to reminiscing and looking back at past times, which is typical at anniversary events, the Rector also used the opportunity to introduce the guests to the University as it is today, presenting an outlook into the future of RWTH. For example, he highlighted the research Clusters of Excellence, the next development stages of Campus Mitte or several of RWTH’s offers in the field of entrepreneurship with the so-called Collective Incubator at the Jahrhunderthalle on Jülicher Straße.

This reunion taking place after such a long time, the memories, the shared joy about the honor, the conversations with different individuals of the University, the special ambiance of the Aula – all this created an evening of moving experiences, which has become characteristic of the doctoral anniversary event. "Friendships forged at university are friendships for life," exclaims Bernd Markert, summing up the core aspect of the Alumni Network. Held on the eve of the Graduation Celebration, this event kicked off a weekend focused on RWTH graduates – both young and old. Many doctoral jubilarians took the opportunity to attend the grand farewell ceremony for the young graduates at Aachen Soers the following day.

– Dietrich Hunold