The start of the 2025 annual celebration at the University of Stuttgart could hardly have been more fitting: a string quartet from the university orchestra, conducted by music director Jakob Brenner, opened with a brilliant performance of Mozart’s String Quartet No. 3. The audience in the KII lecture hall at the center of the campus included members of the University of Stuttgart as well as guests from science, business, politics, and society.
Universities are more than just places for research and study
In his subsequent speech, Rector Peter Middendorf reviewed the dynamic developments of the year. “Universities are more than just places for research and study. They are essential democratic institutions,” says Middendorf. This makes the involvement of the University of Stuttgart in the “Wehrhafte Demokratie” (Defensive Democracy) project all the more vital.
In addition, international partnerships have become increasingly important. Existing partnerships were maintained and new ones—for example with Australia and Canada—were established.
In terms of research, Professor Middendorf particularly highlighted the Clusters of Excellence. Funding for the Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Transformative Architecture (IntCDC) has been secured for another seven years. There was also good news to report in the area of knowledge transfer. In order to establish startup factories with stronger national and international visibility, the university brought NXTGN to Baden-Württemberg this year.
In terms of teaching, the university maintained the upward trend in student numbers in 2025. Good infrastructure is important for the many new and returning students. The university is responding to this with numerous construction and renovation projects. The attractiveness of the campus is also to be specifically enhanced through numerous projects that impressed the judges in the “Glow up our campus!” ideas competition and are now receiving funding. Finally, the Rector mentioned some impressive student initiatives such as HYEND, which achieved top results in the European rocket competition with its liquid rocket.
The future is decided at universities
According to Wilfried Porth, Chair of the University Council, the annual celebration is more than just a look back. He explained that the university faces major challenges. After all, the future of Germany and Europe will be decided at vibrant universities such as the University of Stuttgart. Porth warned against excessive fear and hesitation and urged courage in innovation. But scientific findings must also be heard in politics and society. The University of Stuttgart is a place where the future is not simply awaited but rather shaped.
Leibniz Prize winner Lotsch on new light storage concepts
Another highlight was the keynote address by Prof. Dr. Bettina Lotsch from the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research. The Leibniz Prize winner gave a lecture on the topic “Von der Sonne in den Akku. Neue Lichtspeicherkonzepte" ("From the sun to the battery: New light storage concepts”). In doing so, she picked up on the motto of Science Year 2025, “Discover the energy of tomorrow”.
„Don't waste energy, use it.“
Wilhelm Ostwald - cited by keynote speaker Prof. Bettina Lotsch
She emphasized that new approaches are needed to overcome the CO2 dilemma. “We don’t have an energy problem—or, in other words, a lack of primary energy sources,” says Lotsch. Even if the energy requirements of data centers double or even triple by 2030, they can still be met without difficulty. “We must use solar energy efficiently!” says Lotsch, describing the path to the future of energy supply. She therefore went on to present different ways of harnessing and storing solar energy. “The most important energy of the future is you—the young researchers,” says Lotsch.
Honors awarded to outstanding personalities
First, an honorary doctorate was awarded to Prof. Dr. Antoine Georges for his groundbreaking work in theoretical solid state physics. Laudator Professor Dressel emphasized the collaboration with Stuttgart and the influence and inspiration Georges has provided to the University of Stuttgart.
Prof. Rolf Radespiel from the Technical University of Braunschweig also received an honorary doctorate for his scientific life’s work and his services to research and technology in aerodynamics. Laudator Professor Ewald emphasized Radespiel’s exceptional professional and civic engagement and described his efforts to make air traffic quieter, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Keimer was awarded the title of Honorary Senator for his extraordinary scientific life’s work. Middendorf himself gave the laudatory speech and described the former, longstanding Chair of the University Council as a person who had shaped, supported, and strengthened the university. With this award, the University of Stuttgart expresses its deep gratitude and sincere appreciation. The Rector particularly emphasized Keimer’s contributions to collaborative cutting-edge research and outstanding support for early-career scholars.
Excellence at the University of Stuttgart
The last item on the program before the musical finale was the award ceremony. Chancellor Anna Steiger presented the Foundation Award of the University of Stuttgart Foundation to representatives of the Vector Foundation and Vector Informatik GmbH. Honorary senators Dr. Helmut Schelling, Martin Litschel, and Eberhard Hinderer (all three are founders and members of the board of trustees of the Vector Foundation), Edith Wolf (chair of the Vector Foundation), and Dr. Thomas Beck (managing director of Vector Informatik and Vector Consulting Services) were honored for their commitment to progress, promoting young talent, strengthening cutting-edge research, and enriching cultural life. The Vector Foundation supports the University of Stuttgart with €50,000 annually.
Universities are more than just places for research and teaching
In his subsequent speech, Rector Peter Middendorf reviewed the dynamic developments of the year. “Universities are more than just places for research and study. They are essential democratic institutions,” says Middendorf. This makes the involvement of the University of Stuttgart in the “Wehrhafte Demokratie” (Defensive Democracy) project all the more vital.
The Christian and Dorothee Buerkert Foundation presented awards for outstanding dissertations and master’s theses from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts. With this award, the foundation aims to encourage people to take responsibility and contribute to an open, supportive society. According to Mariana Dierolf, director of the foundation, promoting talent is an investment in the further development of society. In 2023, it honored the dissertations of Dr. rer. nat. Shuo Wang (Faculty 4), Dr. rer. nat. Marvin Wyrich (Faculty 5), and Dr.-Ing. Constantin Traub (Faculty 6). The 2024 Buerkert University Prize for Dissertations was awarded to Dr. Lena Stempniewski (Faculty 2), Dr. Julian Heitkaemper (Faculty 3), and Dr. Samuel Tovey (Faculty 8).
Five master’s theses from 2023 were awarded prizes. The winners were Manuel Alexander Mueller, Johannes Reinken, Khaled Seyam, Helena Schittenhelm, and Markus Fischer. In 2024, 11 master’s theses were recognized with awards. Elsa Mariela Yépez Westreicher, Lars Kaiser, Anna-Lena Streifling, Jan-Philipp Tewes, Tobias Weidemann, Yassin Nasr, Julian Schwab, Alicia Heck, Laura Friedrichsohn, Lina Heim, and Jonas Berroth were awarded the 2024 Buerkert University Prize for Theses.
Finally, the recipients of the 2025 Sustainability Award of the University of Stuttgart Foundation were announced. In the category “Sustainable Studying”, the project “Bildung Erneuerbare Energie e.V.” (Renewable Energy Education) by David Rottacker, Felix Mueck, and Moritz Sauer was honored; in the category “Sustainable Administration”, the Sharing Initiative of Division 2 – International Office (IO), represented by Rebecca Schwenger, won the award; in the “Sustainable Knowledge” category, Valentin Eckmann accepted the award for “PowerPerspectives”, the student initiative for renewable energies; and the Sustainability Award in the “Sustainable Practice” category went to Prof. Peter Radgen.
The musical finale truly deserved a prize of its own. The quartet, consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello, performed a string quartet arrangement of Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango.”
After this outstanding musical experience, the evening continued in the foyer with lively conversation, snacks, and drinks.
