LAS Graduation
LAS Graduation Ceremony
Every October since 2016, we all come together − UCF staff, students, guests, graduates, families, friends − to celebrate the Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduation, to congratulate and bid farewell to the LAS Graduates. Here, we document these celebrations and ceremonies from 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
2024
The 2024 Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduation Ceremony took place on October 11. Almost 200 graduates, students, colleagues, friends and families gathered in Hörsaal 1010 to celebrate the newest LAS graduates and to bid them farewell.
UCF Managing Director Paul Sterzel and – on behalf the graduates – Nicole Jaewoo Ahn opened the ceremony. After a musical interlude and words of acknowledgement and farewell from Dr. Simon Büchner, Dr. Sabine Sané, Dr. Ryan Plumley, and Dr. Mila Mikalay for the LAS Majors, the conferring of degrees followed.
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Professor Frieder Vogelmann, LAS Dean of Studies, presented the 2024 graduates their degrees. The ceremony closed with a farewell address by Professor Vogelmann and with a few special memories from the 2024 graduates.
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The student-organized reception after the ceremony provided the perfect setting for memories, photos, as well as smiles and tears of farewell.
Artwork by Karla Williams & Anna Tsedik
Photos by Theofilus Steven Luisan
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2023
On October 13, 2023 graduates, families and friends, students, staff and guests came together to celebrate the 8th LAS Graduation Ceremony – this year more than 140 people were in the Aula (again), many followed us via the livestream. UCF's Managing Director Paul Sterzel opened the ceremony, welcomed everyone and called in the graduates. Caleigh Chambers and Caren Sausmikat gave their speech on behalf of the graduates 2023.
Individual words of acknowledgement and farewell came from Dr. Simon Büchner, Dr. Sabine Sané, Dr. Ryan Plumley, and Dr. Mila Mikalay for the LAS Majors. Then Prof. Dr. Veronika Lipphardt took over for the main act, the conferring of degrees − a festive moment for everyone.
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LAS Program Coordinator Thorsten Leiendecker and Prof. Veronika Lipphardt then asked all graduates and fellow students of the graduating cohorts on stage for another big round of applause and a lovely group photo. Prof. Veronika Lipphardt closed the main act with a very special farewell address: a song!
The graduates’ contribution – assembled by Caren Sausmikat and Caleigh Chambers – was an entertaining slide show about their four years of studying LAS. The ceremony ended by welcoming the graduates as UCF and University of Freiburg alumni and by the distribution of the green LAS Alumni bags by UCF staff, which by now has become a lovely tradition. The student-organized reception afterwards was a wonderful opportunity for fun, photos, memories, and more farewells.
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We congratulate our LAS graduates 2023 and wish them all the best for their futures. And we thank each and every one for making this ceremony a wonderful event for all of us!
(photos by Jörg Blum)
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2022
On October 14, 2022 we – graduates, families and friends, students and staff – came together to celebrate the 7th LAS Graduation Ceremony.
UCF’s Managing Director Paul Sterzel opened the ceremony; Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Joachim Gehrke (UCF Director of Outreach) gave the first welcome address, followed by Florence Tang on behalf of the 2022 LAS graduates. A musical interlude by LAS students Nora, Enno, Ronnie and Julian aka "The Long-Legged but Short-Sighted Major LASer Orchestra" inspired all guests with their "LAS Medley" before the ceremony's highlight.
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Individual words of acknowledgement and farewell came from Dr. Simon Büchner, Dr. Sabine Sané, Dr. Ryan Plumley, and Dr. Mila Mikalay for the LAS Majors. Then Prof. Dr. Frieder Vogelmann (UCF Dean of Studies) took over for the main act, the conferring of degrees − a festive moment for everyone.
Finally, Prof. Friedermann closed the ceremony with a farewell address and the student contribution, a slideshow by Florence Tang. As every year, UCF staff traditionally distributed the green LAS Alumni bags. The student-organized reception in the Aula was a wonderful opportunity for fun, photos (in hats and gowns), memories, and more farewells.
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We congratulate our LAS graduates 2022 and wish them all the best for their futures. And we thank each and every one for making this ceremony a wonderful event for all of us!
(Photos by Jörg Blum)
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2021
The 6th LAS Graduation Ceremony took place on October 16, 2021 – with some COVID restrictions still in place. A few graduates, fellow students, and UCF staff members were physically in the Aula, many more graduates as well as families and friends celebrated with us online.
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Paul Sterzel (UCF Managing Director) welcomed everyone in the Aula and on the livestream. Professor Hans-Joachim Gehrke (UCF Director of Outreach) sent his warm regards to the graduates via video. Paulina Aue and Mathias Hempfling spoke (and sang!) on behalf of the LAS graduates 2021.
Individual words of acknowledgement and farewell came from Dr. Simon Büchner, Dr. Sabine Sané, Dr. Ryan Plumley, and Dr. Mila Mikalay for the LAS Majors. Then Dr. Ursula Glunk (UCF Academic Director) took over for the main act, the conferring of degrees − a festive moment for everyone despite the masks and physical distancing .
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The ceremony ended with a farewell address by Professor Sitta von Reden (UCF Dean of Studies) and the graduate contribution, a wonderful slideshow by UCF alum Laura Maghetiu. UCF staff distributed the green LAS Alumni bags, which by now has become a lovely tradition. After the ceremony, an online reception gave graduates in Freiburg and everywhere the possibility to connect and celebrate. The graduates in Freiburg took pictures in caps and gowns at the Alumni Freiburg photo booth.
It was a lovely ceremony, and everyone present in the Aula enjoyed the possibility of a live and in-person event, despite the regulations and restrictions. Many heart-warming and funny speeches as well as video contributions reflected the spirit of Liberal Arts and Sciences at University College Freiburg.
(photos by Alexander Schröder)
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2020
The 5th and until now most unique LAS Graduation Ceremony took place on October 17, 2020. A few graduates and UCF staff were physically in the Aula, many more graduates as well as families and friends celebrated with us online. Our livestream was accessed almost 300 times that day.
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Paul Sterzel (UCF Managing Director) welcomed everyone in the Aula and on the livestream this very special ceremony. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Joachim Gehrke (UCF Director of Outreach) gave his welcome address via video. Then Antonia Nölke and Maya Rollberg welcomed everyone on behalf of the LAS graduates 2020. And lovely video messages were sent by recent graduates now in Barcelona, Florence, Athens, Paris...
Dr. Ursula Glunk (UCF Academic Director) took over for the main act, the conferring of degrees − festive and memorable moments despite the masks and physical distancing. Individual words of acknowledgement and farewell came from Dr. Simon Büchner and Dr. Sabine Sané in the Aula, and from Dr. Ryan Plumley and Dr. Mila Mikalay via video for the LAS Majors.
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(photos by Benedict Procter)
This year's student contribution was a wonderful slideshow ("A Look Back at the Past Four Years of LAS") by Lauren Powers, Logan Poehlman, and Apolline Poli. The ceremony ended with a video farewell address by Prof. Sitta von Reden (UCF Dean of Studies). After the ceremony, we met at our online reception in the virtual Prometheushalle. The graduates in Freiburg took pictures in caps and gowns at the Alumni Freiburg photo booth.
It was a lovely ceremony that will be remembered thanks to the many heart-warming speeches and greetings, live and via video, which gave everyone a feeling of community and friendship, and once again reflected the spirit of Liberal Arts and Sciences at University College Freiburg.
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2019
On October 19, 2019 over 200 people – graduates, families and friends, students, staff and guests – came together to celebrate the 4th LAS Graduation Ceremony.
UCF’s Managing Director Paul Sterzel opened the ceremony and called in the graduates. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Joachim Gehrke (UCF Director of Outreach) gave the first welcome address, followed by Nermin Abbassi and Julius Nebel on behalf of the 2019 LAS graduates. A poetic interlude by Clara Berger, Judith Horvath, and Jennifer Kirsch inspired all guests before the ceremony's highlight.
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Prof. Dr. Sitta von Reden (UCF Dean of Studies) and Dr. Ursula Glunk (UCF Academic Director) presented the ceremony's main act, the conferring of degrees. Individual congratulations and farewells came from Dr. Ryan Plumley, Dr. Simon Büchner, Dr. Sabine Sané, and Dr. Liudmila Mikalayeva for the LAS Majors.
The graduates’ contribution – by Katarzyna Schwartz, Rosa-Lena Lange and Charlotte Weinreich – was a wonderful film about their four years of studying LAS. A further highlight was the recognition of the LAS alumni organization as an UCF “Fachchapter” within the Alumni Association of the University of Freiburg. Prof. Dr. Ursula Schaefer (Förderverein Alumni Freiburg e.V.) presented the official accreditation to Gregor Ranft of the LAS alumni organization.
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Finally, UCF’s Prof. Veronika Lipphardt closed the ceremony with a farewell address. The student-organized reception in the Prometheushalle was a wonderful opportunity for fun, photos, memories, and more farewells.
We congratulate our LAS graduates 2019 and wish them all the best for their futures. And we thank each and every one for making this ceremony a wonderful event for all of us! 
(photos by Uwe Nüssle and Tom Burggraf)
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2018
On October 13, 2018, UCF staff, students, and graduates, guests, families, and friends gathered in the University Aula to celebrate the third LAS Graduation Ceremony.
After a brief introduction by Paul Sterzel (UCF Managing Director), opening addresses were presented by Prof. Dr. Juliane Besters-Dilger (Vice-President for Academic Affairs) and Prof. Dr. Dietmar Neutatz (Dean of the Faculty of Humanities). Marthe Hanik and Jasper Johannsen welcomed everyone on behalf of the graduates. The LAS band Almost There with Natalie Kornet (Saxophone) and Abdur Rehman Zafar (Guitar) provided the musical accompaniment.
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Prof. Dr. Sitta von Reden (UCF Dean of Studies) and Dr. Ursula Glunk (UCF Academic Director) presented the ceremony's main act, the conferring of degrees. Dr. Ryan Plumley, Dr. Simon Büchner, Dr. Sabine Sané, and Dr. Liudmila Mikalayeva congratulated "their" Major-Graduates.
This year's graduate contribution was a film produced by Magdalena Burtscher and Patrick Gross, a film that covered the achievements, pleasures, reminiscences, as well as the frustrations of the 2018 LAS graduates. Gregor Ranft, B.A., then congratulated his new alumni colleagues on behalf of the LAS Alumni Association. The ceremony ended with farewell addresses by Prof. Dr. Ursula Schaefer for the University of Freiburg Alumni and by Dr. Ursula Glunk on behalf of UCF. The student-organized reception in the Prometheushalle was the perfect festive conclusion for an exciting afternoon.
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We congratulate our LAS Graduates 2018 and wish them all the best for their futures. And we thank each and everyone for making this ceremony a wonderful event for all of us!
(photos by Jörg Blum)
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2017
On October 14, 2017, over 200 people – professors, students, families, friends... – joined us to celebrate our second Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduation Ceremony and to congratulate and bid farewell to the LAS Graduates 2017.
The ceremony was opened by Paul Sterzel (UCF Managing Director). The opening addresses were held by Prof. Dr. Juliane Besters-Dilger (Vice-President for Academic Affairs) and Prof. Dr. Hans-Helmuth Gander (Dean of the Faculty of Humanities). Throughout the program, we enjoyed music by Still Busy, an LAS band featuring Luise Fakler (Violin), Christoph Raible (Percussion/Bass), and Abdur Rehman Zafar (Guitar).
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(Photos by Patrick Seeger and Tom Burggraf)
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Freitag (UCF Dean of Studies) and Dr. Ursula Glunk (UCF Academic Director) then took over for the main act, the conferring of degrees. Individual words of acknowledgement and farewell came from Dr. Ryan Plumley, Dr. Simon Büchner, Dr. Sabine Sané, and Dr. Liudmila Mikalayeva for the LAS Majors.
Clara Hirschmann and Anastasiia Zubkova spoke on behalf of the graduates, followed by the LAS Executive Organizers Franziska Franke and Carlotta Rudolph and by Gregor Ranft, B.A., for the LAS Alumni (ALAS). The ceremony ended with farewell addresses by Prof. Dr. Ursula Schaefer for the University of Freiburg Alumni Association and by Dr. Ursula Glunk on behalf of UCF.
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(Photos by Patrick Seeger and Tom Burggraf)
Ceremonies are ceremonies, and champagne is champagne. The student-organized reception in the Prometheushalle provided a wonderful opportunity for final farewells and tears.
We would like to thank all of you for making this event a memorable day for all of us!
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness […]. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of [people] and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." Mark Twain
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2016
Since the establishment of University College Freiburg in 2012, we have developed together and as individuals, have progressed and taken detours. On October 15, 2016 we reached a new milestone: the first Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduation Ceremony.
In October 2012, 78 pioneer students started their LAS studies and from the beginning became part of the fascinating process of developing the College. They were – and are – curious, demanding, and engaged at UCF and beyond. In the past four years, they have learned about the foundations of knowledge, science, and academic inquiry. They have chosen their LAS Major, spent time abroad, and have now graduated and are ready for their next steps. From the beginning, we were convinced of our program and our students. Now, we and especially our graduates can be proud that this has been recognized by prestigious institutions all around the world.
On October 15, 2016, the University, UCF, students, graduates, families and friends came together to celebrate this occasion – a milestone for each student and for the College. The Badische Zeitung covered the event on October 17. And the current issue of the University Newspaper uni'leben features an article on the LAS program and its first graduates. Press information on the Graduation Ceremony is available at the University Press Department.
LAS Graduation Ceremony 2016 – Program
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Opening Address [video link] by |
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Opening Address by |
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Still Waiting |
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Conferring of Degrees |
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with
Dr. Ryan Plumley for the Major Culture and History
Dr. Simon Büchner for the Major Life Sciences
Dr. Sabine Sané for the Major Earth and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Liudmila Mikalayeva for the Major Governance
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Conferring of Double Degrees |
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LAS Student Contributions |
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Farewell Address by |
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(all photos by Jörg Blum)
Over the course of the Ceremony and Reception, many words of gratitude were voiced. We would like to thank all who helped make this special day possible – a day that in our opinion perfectly reflects the spirit of work and play at University College Freiburg.
"The real University is a state of mind. It is that great heritage of rational thought that has been brought down to us through the centuries and which does not exist at any specific location. (...) The real University is nothing less than the continuing body of reason itself." Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance