It's time to celebrate: graduation ceremony in June 2025

The auditorium of the central building is filled to capacity, the guests are dressed for summer but still festively, and there is an atmosphere of anticipation in the air. The everyday lighting gives way to festive lighting in cheerful blue and yellow colours, and the chamber choir opens the graduation ceremony with a song from a musical.

‘Today is your day, dear graduates. It marks a conclusion, a turning point, and is a cause for celebration. But are you really in the mood to celebrate?’ President Sascha Spoun asked the graduates. "Are you allowed to be in a festive mood? The world seems to be in flames, with violence and terror seemingly never-ending. We are increasingly unable to recognise the world as we know it. Can we still feel like celebrating?‘ The question cannot be dismissed out of hand, and the concerned reaction of the packed hall showed that he had struck a nerve. ’My answer is,‘ he continued, ’yes, when the time is right. Only then, but then definitely. Because being in a celebratory mood all the time would be a dangerous denial of reality. Not celebrating at all, however, would lead to a descent into depression and powerlessness. We cannot live without hope in the long term, and celebrations help us to gain hope. At the same time, however, everything needs its space in order to remain authentic." He invited those present to pause for a moment and remember the victims of violence and armed conflict.

Sascha Spoun encouraged the graduates despite the political situation around the world and other uncertainties: "If you want to realise your full potential, you will succeed. And if you succeed, you can look to the future with confidence. Because if you realise your full potential in your future, then it can only be good for you.‘ Healthy self-confidence is crucial in order not to wait for charismatic leaders and believe their empty promises of true greatness and true goals. ’You don't need saviours who claim to fix things for you, because you remain true to yourself and can help yourself." The supposed deprivation of the future through AI is also threatening, but so far it is nothing more than speculation that may never come to pass. ‘Therefore, I want to encourage you: don't deny yourself! Stay true to yourself and trust yourself! Keep your will to achieve self-fulfilment alive!’ said President Sascha Spoun.

The chairman of the alumni association, which generously supported and made the graduation ceremony possible, Mats Kahl, was delighted for the graduates: ‘You have made it. You are now emerging from this stage of your life stronger than ever. You are and will be the future leaders of our society.’

AStA spokespersons Denise Granzow and Theo Lohse appealed to the graduates in English to apply the skills they had learned, such as empathy and critical thinking, outside the university: ‘When you go out tomorrow and start your next chapter of life, do it with humility and perseverance. Be conscious of injustice and have the courage to fight it.’

The Vice President for the College, Jelena Bäumler, emphasised that the university is more than just a place of education. Referring to the Trump administration's attacks on Harvard University, she emphasised the social value of universities and their achievements: ‘At this point, I would like to wish you all the best for the future, but I would also like to leave you with one wish of my own: defend academic freedom. Not only in lecture halls and laboratories, but wherever it is challenged and questioned.’

In her speech, student Keziah-Naomi Tsagli did not shy away from the small, typical worries of students (‘How many times have I said, “Tomorrow I'm going to the 8 o'clock lecture” – and then fallen asleep again.’) and the laughter of those present confirmed that she was not the only one. In her speech, Keziah-Naomi Tsagli also highlighted those who had completed their studies without much support from home, while working two or three part-time jobs or raising children. "Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Never let anyone convince you that your dreams are too big, your background too small, your ideas too naive. We are made to surpass ourselves. We are made to be uncomfortable. We are made to be brave – even when we tremble.‘ The guests at the ceremony were visibly moved, and President Spoun, back on stage, commented on Keziah-Naomi Tsagli's speech with: ’Now you know why I am so confident about your future!"

At the champagne reception in the foyer afterwards, there were many voices and busy congratulations, selfies and group photos were tried out, taken and sent out, and the parents present were visibly very proud. ‘I thought the ceremony was very nice. I especially liked the graduate's speech because it was so funny and personal,’ said graduate Annabell Dlugi. Her fellow student Tengizi Tabatadze was also enthusiastic: ‘That was exciting. The feeling of having completed something is great, even though I've already started my master's degree.’

At the graduation ceremony in the summer semester of 2025, around 130 graduates of the Graduate School celebrated their degrees. Special honours were awarded to Master's graduates with outstanding achievements and to the eight doctoral candidates who successfully completed their dissertation projects.

In her congratulatory speech, Simone Abels, Vice President for the Graduate School, praised the graduates' commitment and courage in dealing with the unknown, as well as their resilience in personally and socially challenging times. These are ‘exactly the qualities that are so important in today's rapidly changing world.’ In her speech, she emphasised that studying and researching at a university should not be a privilege denied to people on the basis of characteristics such as gender, age, origin or sexuality. The heterogeneity of the students and doctoral candidates present was an indication that Leuphana University enables its members to develop freely. The privilege of being part of Leuphana comes from elsewhere. It means ‘being allowed to think freely, to commit to projects of your own choosing and to support others in their development. Compared to other places, this is an absolute privilege, as we are currently being painfully reminded,’ said Abel, referring to the Trump administration's interventions at US universities such as Harvard. The Vice President concluded her speech by congratulating the graduates on behalf of the entire Graduate School team with the words: ‘Be proud of what you have achieved. Your hard work and commitment deserve the highest recognition. I wish you courage, curiosity and, above all, joy in continuing to learn and grow – and to appreciate this as a privilege.’

Johannes Jansen, a recent graduate of the Master's programme in Management & Entrepreneurship, who gave an entertaining speech on behalf of the Graduate School's students, also picked up on the privilege of studying and emphasised the special nature of the achievement. Particularly because it sometimes feels as if a master's degree is treated as a minimum requirement, it is necessary to use this moment to pause and allow yourself to feel a little proud of your achievements: ‘No one can pat you on the back as much as you can.’ At the same time, the ‘education of the heart’ that he had experienced during his years at Leuphana had been particularly valuable. The speaker switched to English to address what individual fellow students had given him for life. The time at Leuphana had meant academic growth and challenging questions for the students and doctoral candidates, ‘but above all, it gave us all new stories.’

The Leuphana Professional School held a graduation ceremony for 31 graduates of its part-time programmes in Business Administration, Construction Law and Construction Management, Digital Production Management, Performance Leadership and Industrial Engineering. In midsummer temperatures of over 30 degrees and bright sunshine, the graduates of the Professional School celebrated their graduation and the new perspectives and horizons that are now opening up to them.

Over 100 guests – including family, friends and companions of the graduates – came to honour the graduates' achievements and celebrate their transition to a new phase of life together. Markus Reihlen, Vice President for Professional School, Internationalisation, Entrepreneurship and Transfer, warmly welcomed those present in his speech and praised the graduates' special achievement in successfully completing a part-time degree programme – with all its specific challenges, particularly in terms of time management and self-organisation. Together with Deputy Managing Director Maria Schloßstein, who moderated the event, he looked back on the individual and collective development of the students during their studies.

At the graduation ceremony, the graduates not only looked back on their intensive years of study, but also looked ahead with courage, confidence and vision. In their speeches, Marco Taedcke (B.A. Business Administration) and Nina Trojak (B.Sc. Industrial Engineering) gave very personal insights into their time at the university – with all its challenges, detours and successes.

Marco Taedcke reported on his stay abroad in Hong Kong, which was originally planned to last a year and a half but ended up lasting two and a half years. Despite the great physical distance, he was able to successfully complete his studies: ‘I was able to continue my studies from afar thanks to trust, technical support and a modern educational concept that is practical, adaptable and human.’ He particularly emphasised that it is not just about exams or grades – but about the courage to embrace new things: ‘When an opportunity arises – a degree, a move or a dream – you should seize it. And do it right away.’

Nina Trojak gave an impressive account of how she juggled her career, family and studies – and how demanding it was, often working late into the evening: ‘After a long day at work, when the children were in bed, I would sit down again with my study materials.’ For her – and many others – it was never just about the qualification, but above all about the journey to get there: ‘We wanted to learn new things, leave our comfort zones, and explore new paths.’ She impressively described how doubt and curiosity balanced each other out – and how her studies had strengthened not only her knowledge but also her self-confidence. ‘We can be proud of what we have achieved – not just the degree, but everything we have mastered along the way.’

Both speakers reminded everyone that no one had walked this path alone. They expressed their gratitude to their families, friends, fellow students and all those who had supported them – because they had all been part of this journey.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the graduation certificates, which was accompanied by representatives of the individual degree programmes.

In their personal speeches, they praised the extraordinary commitment, individual successes and special paths that each graduate had taken during their studies. The official presentation of the certificates was accompanied by appreciative applause – a moment of pride that highlighted the great achievement of everyone present.