University of Cologne: Honorary Senator Pünder rehabilitated according to new evidence!

University of Cologne: Honorary Senator Pünder rehabilitated according to new evidence!

On June 4, 2025, the Rectorate of the University of Cologne took a decisive step by distancing itself from the awarding of the honorary senatorship to Dr. Hermann Pünder took back. This decision follows new findings that have come to light in recent weeks and have raised doubts about the classification of Pünder's actions during the Nazi era. The university hopes to take a significant step in coming to terms with its history.

Hermann Pünder, born in 1888, was both a lawyer and a politician, initially for the German Center Party and later for the CDU. His political career included, among other things, the office of mayor of Cologne from 1945 to 1948. Other achievements in his career include an election to the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament in 1947 and his membership in the Bundestag and the European Parliament between 1953 and 1957. These aspects of his life have often been viewed in the shadow of his possible involvement with the Nazi regime.

New insights into honorary senatorship

The Rectorate responded to the recommendations of an academic advisory board, which was commissioned to examine the history of the university in detail on the occasion of the university's centenary in 2019. The advisory board had recommended that Pünder's honorary senatorship and other honors from the National Socialist era be reviewed and distanced from them. The report set out specific criteria for assessing Nazi burdens, including unlawful enrichment through “Aryanization”.

What is particularly noteworthy is the fact that Pünder sat on the supervisory board of two “Aryanizing” companies in the past and also purchased shares in one of these companies. However, newly surfaced documents suggest that Pünder may have acted in good faith or in a fiduciary capacity for the Jewish owner. Courts had also confirmed the appropriateness of the purchase price for the shares, which gave new fuel to his defense. In light of these latest developments, the Rectorate decided on May 21, 2025 to withdraw its distance from the honorary senatorship, noting that the allegations were not based on their original seriousness.

Historical context and future perspectives

The discussion about Hermann Pünder is particularly relevant in the context of coming to terms with German history and the still existing social challenges associated with the Nazi era. Pünder is an example of the complex moral decisions that many people faced in the post-war period. Even if the withdrawal of the distance from the honorary senatorship represents a step forward for some, the question remains open as to how the University of Cologne will continue to critically examine and process its history.

The university is in a constant process of learning from its past. While current and historical contexts are intertwined, it remains important to draw the right lessons from history to avoid repeated entanglement in similar conflicts. This development could therefore be seen as an opportunity to continue the dialogue on responsibility and legacy within the academy and beyond. These issues are crucial for the future of the University of Cologne's institutional identity and its role in society.