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Ceremonial graduation ceremony: 1,978 graduates celebrate in Bonn!
On July 6, 2025, the University of Bonn celebrated an emotional celebration with 1,978 graduates that combined tradition and community.
Ceremonial graduation ceremony: 1,978 graduates celebrate in Bonn!
On July 6, 2025, the University of Bonn celebrated its 20th anniversary with a festive event that brought graduates and the entire university together. The event began with an impressive parade of the faculties onto the meadow. Applause filled the air as Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch welcomed the 1,978 graduates from 82 nations - an increase of around 100 graduates compared to the previous year.
It was an emotional moment for many of these graduates, as numerous family members were there to support them. A symbolic highlight was the speech by Sebastian Walter, who spoke for his class and mentioned three important research focuses: dealing with ambiguities, identities and concepts of meaning.
Ceremonial handover of the baton and honors
The event also included the awarding of teaching prizes to committed teachers, with Vice Rector Prof. Klaus Sandmann thanking the winners for their commitment. The graduates received their symbolic certificates, identified by colored sashes, at various stations around the Hofgartenwiese. The hat throwing event with around 2,000 berets was an impressive sight and was a highlight for both those celebrating and photographers.
In the afternoon, the anniversary party took place under the motto “Forever Uni Bonn”, a summer festival that the city of Bonn also celebrated. Personalities were also honored at the event: Prof. Max P. Baur and Dr. Martina Krechel for her organization of the festival. Nesibe Nabiyar, one of the first participants, was also honored on behalf of the alumni. Guests of honor such as Prof. Matthias Winiger and Dr. Reinhardt Lutz, who initiated the festival in 2005, was present. Mayor Katja Dörner conveyed the congratulations from the city of Bonn.
Participatory activities and musical entertainment
Stands around the Hofgarten offered information and hands-on activities for all visitors. The musical contributions, which included the Cologne rock group Cat Ballou and a sing-along concert with the Bonn University Orchestra, contributed to the great atmosphere. The celebration came to a harmonious conclusion with music and dance, which impressively underlined the sense of community among everyone involved.
Beyond the University of Bonn, many universities maintain close connections with their alumni. The University of Hamburg, for example, promotes lifelong connections with its graduates through a central alumni network. Two specific networks at the University of Hamburg Business School support this exchange and offer opportunities to obtain current information about health economics research and to attend events that facilitate contact with former fellow students.
The Alumniportal Deutschland complements these efforts by supporting numerous Germany alumni worldwide. It promotes connections between alumni and strengthens ties to home. The challenges for alumni associations are diverse and range from member retention to resource management. The portal provides helpful resources to address these challenges and keep the community vibrant.
The celebrations at the University of Bonn and the initiatives of other institutions show how important the exchange and networking of alumni is for personal and professional development. These events create a platform for graduates and promote professional exchange and the maintenance of existing relationships.
In summary, the anniversary celebration at the University of Bonn shows how important community and traditions are in the academic world, while at the same time paving new paths for exchange between alumni.