"We must dare to dream seriously again" - Leuphana College graduation ceremony in November 2023

President Sascha Spoun invited the students to develop perspectives: "Without a perspective, i.e. without the prospect of something, we feel we have no future."  When we look at the future, it is about how we view what is to come, with what expectations and fears. We see the future primarily through the lens of current challenges and fears of not being sufficiently prepared for the future. Where there are fears, the view narrows instead of widening, resulting in a lack of perspective. Powerlessness and helplessness are often discharged in impotent anger and pave the way for populism, warned Spoun.

The social promise of the past that education would lead to social advancement and prosperity no longer applies without further ado. Internships are paid so poorly that the qualification of a degree seems worthless, and housing is hardly affordable in urban areas. The President encouraged people to combat the perceived lack of prospects: "We have to dare to dream seriously again, which means not just chasing dreams, but also believing in a dream." Spoun pointed out the potential of ideas: "Every social change, even decline, generates an infinite number of new possibilities. To recognize potential in something given or coming is to have an idea. And nothing in the world gives you a perspective faster, easier and more lasting than a good idea. A good idea, an inspiration, tears open the curtain before your eyes and opens up new perspectives. It can therefore be said quite banal and yet aptly: if you have good ideas, you open up a future for yourself." The course did not prepare graduates for 'just any' future, but for the fact that they can create a future for themselves. "Stop asking what the world offers you - this question remains pubescent. Start asking what your imagination offers you and what your intellect offers you to realize your imagination. I wish you all the best and every success with this question!"

In her speech, Jelena Bäumler, Vice President of the College, pointed out that although we are living in times of diverse global conflicts and problems, we should not give up hope. She recalled that 80 years ago, when the world war ended and the world was devastated, "it was at this time that the idea of the United Nations was born and further developed from the existing ruins of the League of Nations". "It was during the darkest hours that the global order of the 20th and 21st centuries was born." Although this is hardly comparable to today, looking back can remind us "that it is never too dark, never too late, never too hopeless and never too complicated to think of new ways and solutions, to advocate them and to fight for them." She called on the graduates to "remain confident, yet hopeful, in order to steer the world onto a sustainable path for the benefit of future generations."

Regina Graß, representative of the alumni association, congratulated the graduates and emphasized the importance of personal relationships and networks for personal and professional development. It is important to appreciate the special value of human relationships, attitude and openness towards people, new perspectives and points of view through personal relationships.

AStA spokespersons Elisabeth Tacke and Josephine Kiecol recalled the difficult times of the pandemic, thanked students for their commitment and highlighted the students who also had to cope with precarious life situations, with wage and family work, especially if they were also involved in voluntary work. The privilege of studying also means responsibility when you leave the university - even if today, at the graduation ceremony, it is about celebrating what has been achieved, the important milestone.

Lea Marie Körber spoke as a representative of the students: "Has the degree program delivered what it promised?" Everyone had had to get through times of social distancing, which had not been easy. Körber emphasized the success of getting through this time and making it through. This is precisely why it is important to continue improving the living conditions of students. Looking back, it was a "pretty good time", she said, recalling shared memories such as long summer nights at the Stint with lots of discussions, potato wedges in the canteen, volleyball on the canteen lawn, the Lunatic Festival and the AStA Open Air. "All these experiences have left their mark."

As a further highlight of the festive event, students from eight major programs were honored for special achievements by President Sascha Spoun and Vice President Jelena Bäumler, demonstrating the versatility of what can be achieved at the College.

[Translate to Englisch:]

Jelena Bäumler, Vizepräsidentin des College, verweist in ihrer Rede darauf, dass wir zwar in Zeiten vielfältiger, globaler Konflikte und Problemlagen lebten, aber die Hoffnung nicht aufgeben sollten. Sie erinnerte daran, dass vor 80 Jahren, als der Weltkrieg zu Ende ging und die Welt verwüstet war, „in dieser Zeit die Idee der Vereinten Nationen geboren und aus den bestehenden Trümmern des Völkerbundes weiterentwickelt“ worden sei. „Es war während der dunkelsten Stunden, dass die globale Ordnung des 20. und 21.Jahrhunderts geboren wurde.“ Zwar sei dies mit der heutigen Zeit kaum vergleichbar, gleichzeitig könne uns der Blick zurück daran erinnern, „dass es nie zu dunkel, nie zu spät, nie zu aussichtslos und nie zu kompliziert ist, um neue Wege und Lösungen zu denken, sie zu vertreten und für sie zu kämpfen.“ Sie forderte die Absolvent*innen auf, „dennoch zuversichtlich, dennoch hoffnungsvoll zu bleiben, um die Welt zum Wohle der folgenden Generationen auf einen zukunftsfähigen Pfad zu lenken.“

Regina Graß, Vertreterin des Alumnivereins beglückwünschte die Absolvent*innen und betonte wie wichtig die Bedeutung von persönlichen Beziehungen und Netzwerke für die persönliche und berufliche Weiterentwicklung seien. Es gelte den besonderen Wert menschlicher Beziehungen, Haltung und Offenheit gegenüber Menschen, neue Perspektiven und Blickwinkel durch persönliche Beziehungen wertzuschätzen.

Die AStA-Sprecherinnen Elisabeth Tacke und Josephine Kiecol erinnerten an die schwere Zeit der Pandemie, bedankten sich für das Engagement der Studierenden und hoben die Studierende hervor, die auch prekäre Lebenssituationen meistern müssten, mit Lohn- und Familienarbeit, gerade wenn diese gleichzeitig auch ehrenamtlich engagiert seien. Privileg des Studierens bedeute auch Verantwortung, wenn man nun die Universität verlässt - auch wenn es heute, bei der Graduiertenfeier darum gehe, sich über das Erreichte, den wichtigen Meilenstein, zu freuen.

[Translate to Englisch:]

Als Vertreterin der Studierenden sprach Lea Marie Körber: „Hat das Studium gehalten, was es versprochen hat?" Alle hätten durch Zeiten der sozialen Distanz hindurchgemusst, die nicht einfach gewesen seien. Körber hob den Erfolg hervor, diese Zeit durchgestanden und geschafft zu haben. Auch gerade deswegen sei es wichtig, die Lebensbedingungen der Studierenden weiter zu verbessern. Rückblickend sei es eine „ganz schön gute Zeit“ gewesen, sagte sie und erinnerte an gemeinsame Erinnerungen wie lange Sommernächte am Stint mit vielen Diskussionen, Kartoffelecken in der Mensa, Volleyball auf der Mensawiese, Lunatic-Festival oder AStA Open Air. „All die Erfahrungen haben geprägt.“

Als weiterer Höhepunkt des festlichen Events wurden Studierende aus acht Majorprogrammen für besondere Leistungen von Präsident Sascha Spoun und Vizepräsidentin Jelena Bäumler geehrt, was die Vielseitigkeit des am College Erreichbaren zeigt.

[Translate to Englisch:]