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Summer party in the Romaneum: happiness and inspiration for the anniversary!
On August 22nd, 2025, the FernUniversität in Hagen will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a summer festival in the Romaneum.
Summer party in the Romaneum: happiness and inspiration for the anniversary!
On August 22, 2025, a FernUniversität summer festival took place in the Romaneum on the Neuss campus, which not only marked the celebration of the institution's 50th anniversary, but also focused on the topic of happiness. Together with alumni, mentors and students, an evening was organized that was both festive and thoughtful. The head of the campus, Katrin Schnarr, emphasized in her speech that happiness is an individual feeling that is often linked to personal milestones, such as completing your studies. This finding highlights the importance of happiness narratives in academic and personal contexts.
In the midst of these celebrations, the author Julia Morgenthaler presented her book “Luminous Horizons”. Morgenthaler, who had previously left behind a 20-year career in a secure job, described how a six-month trip around the world inspired her to reflect on the topic of happiness. Her experiences in countries such as Costa Rica, Tonga, New Zealand and Singapore shaped her view of the topic. The book offers in-depth insights into the different facets of happiness based on the people she met during her journey.
The influence of luck in research
Happiness research has gained momentum in recent years and encompasses numerous disciplines. These explore the conditions of happiness from philosophy to neuroscience. The oldest philosophical definition of happiness, as formulated by Aristotle (384–322 BC), describes it as a goal that man strives for for his own sake. In this sense, Aristotle defines happiness as the objective fulfillment of one's rational nature.
In contrast, Epicurus (341–270 BC) describes happiness as the absence of pain and need. Stoics like Seneca (1–65 AD) note that external influences can disrupt happiness. These historical reflections show that the pursuit of happiness is a complex and multifaceted debate that is complemented by modern insights into brain activity. Recent studies use technologies such as fMRI and EEG to measure brain activity related to feelings of happiness. It was found that higher activity in the left prefrontal cortex (PFC) correlates with higher subjective satisfaction.
Modern approaches and social perception
Modern happiness research, which was significantly influenced by personalities such as Martin E. P. Seligman, also examines the influence of wealth on happiness. In fact, data shows that richer countries and people tend to be happier. At the same time, the pursuit of material wealth is identified as a possible stressor that can affect happiness in desired areas.
Alfred Bellebaum, director of the “Institute for Happiness Research” in Germany, and Ruut Veenhoven, a pioneer of Dutch happiness research, explore advanced concepts such as “optimal stress,” which states that appropriate challenges can promote happiness.
In summary, the summer festival at the FernUniversität in Neuss shows how personal and academic perspectives on happiness come together in an interactive framework. Morgenthaler's thoughtful exchange with visitors after the reading highlighted the importance of dialogue about happiness for the community as institutional celebrations reflect a changing academic landscape.