Mourning for Bernhard Vogel

When Vogel came to Thuringia in 1992, the GDR had only been history for a one an a half year. As the new Minister President, he faced major challenges – not only with regard to the economy and the transport and building infrastructure in the Free State. At the same time, education was always an important concern for him. He supported the citizens' initiative to re-establish what was once the oldest university in what is now Germany with great commitment from the very beginning. And with success – under the motto "Daring to do something new!", the re-founding of the University of Erfurt was sealed with a ceremony in the Augustinian monastery in April 1994.

The beginning was not easy, Vogel recalled in June 2019 on the occasion of the university's 25th anniversary celebrations: "We had a lot of other things to do during the reunification and we had no money. We also knew that founding a new university would require the dissolution of the former Medical Academy, which naturally met with resistance. In addition, the existing universities in Thuringia were firmly opposed to a new foundation in Erfurt. But there were very committed people at the time who had an idea and a concept that was worth championing." He also emphasised that he looked back on the University of Erfurt with joy and gratitude. It can be proud of the fact that it now has around 6,000 students, many of whom come to Erfurt from other federal states and from abroad. The University of Erfurt has become a place where interesting careers begin, a campus where students feel at home.

Bernhard Vogel has made a significant contribution to ensuring that this is the case. And for this we are permanently indebted to him.

Our thoughts and sympathy are with his family and loved ones. We are saddened, but above all we look back with gratitude on a great life.

On behalf of the Presidium
Professor Walter Bauer-Wabnegg
(President)