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Three outstanding figures were at the centre of the celebration on Tuesday, 26th November in the Assembly Hall of Graz University of Technology. Wolfgang Hesoun, Karl-Friedrich Stracke and Otto Röschel have one thing in common despite their different connections to TU Graz: all three have been particularly committed to TU Graz for many years and have made a decisive contribution to the development of the University.
Honorary senatorships for Wolfgang Hesoun and Karl-Friedrich Stracke
The title of Honorary Senator is one of the highest academic honours awarded by Graz University of Technology. During the academic ceremony, the two long-time companions Wolfgang Hesoun, CEO of Siemens AG, and Karl-Friedrich Stracke, President Automotive Engineering and Engineering Magna Steyr (retd.), were awarded this title. According to the statutes, the honorary senatorship is awarded to "outstanding figures from outside the University who have rendered distinguished services to TU Graz and to the promotion of its scientific, technical and cultural remit".
"Karl-Friedrich Stracke and Wolfgang Hesoun are closely and impressively associated with Graz University of Technology," said Rector Harald Kainz on the occasion of the ceremony. "Thanks to the personal commitment of Wolfgang Hesoun, we have succeeded in establishing a Center of Knowledge Interchange (CKI) at Graz University of Technology in a strategic partnership with Siemens. Karl-Friedrich Stracke has contributed his visions of the future of mobility over many years to research and teaching at Graz University of Technology and has played a decisive role in shaping our partnership with Magna. The award is an expression of our appreciation for the special commitment of the two personages to our Alma Mater."
Archduke Johann Medal awarded to Otto Röschel
The Erzherzog-Johann Medal is awarded as a visible distinction to persons from within the University who have promoted the reputation and development of Graz University of Technology over a longer period of time through their outstanding work at the University. Otto Röschel is such a person. The former director of TU Graz’s Institute of Geometry was for many years deputy chairman of the works council for scientific and artistic university staff, member of the Senate of Graz University of Technology and a representative in committees of the Ministry of Education, Science and Research. Rector Harald Kainz: "With the Erzherzog-Johann Medal we would like to thank Otto Röschel for his extraordinary commitment and his dedication to his colleagues at the national level and within Graz University of Technology.”
