Honorary Senators

Prof. Dr. Siegfried Hünig (2011)

Siegfried Hünig was Professor of Organic Chemistry from 1961 to 1988. During his time at the university, as the last Director of the then Institute of Chemistry, he took on the task of organizing its transformation into the Institutes of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. He also had to plan the new Chemistry Center at the Hubland Campus as this had outgrown its premises on Röntgenring.

Prof. Dr. Ernst Helmreich (2011)

Professor of Physiological Chemistry from 1968 until his retirement in 1990. During his time at the university he built up the Physiological Chemistry Department and led it to academic success both nationally and internationally. From the early 1970s onward, he and the biochemist Professor Guido Hartmann also designed and ultimately realized the university’s Biocenter.

Prof. Dr. Kurt Kochsiek (2010)

Professor of Internal Medicine and Head of the Department of Medicine from 1980 until his retirement in 1998. During his time at the university he established Cardio-Vascular Research and its collaboration with Physics in NMR imaging. This arrangement was the reason why Würzburg led the field in cardio-vascular research in Germany. This achievement was also founded on a successful appointment policy, which Kurt Kochsiek, as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (1989-1991) and as Medical Director (1994-1997) of the University Hospital, helped significantly to shape.

Prof. Dr. Jörg Hacker (2009)

His work for the University of Würzburg began in the position of Professor of Microbiology from 1986 to 2008, then, in 1993, he was appointed to the Chair of Molecular Infection Biology. In this capacity, he also was the Speaker of the Center of Infection Research and the Co-ordinator of the EuroPathoGenoMics excellence network promoted by the European Union. Since March 1, 2008, he has been the President of the Robert Koch Institute at Berlin.

Prof. Dr. Walter Eykmann (2009)

A member of the Bavarian Landtag from 1978 to 2008, he served on the Committee on Cultural and Educational Policy up until 1998 and as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Service Issues since 1986. It is due to his efforts that the University was able to establish technological study programs and that it was endowed with the groundbreaking first professorship for Secondary Education Pedagogy in Bavaria in 2005. In 2002, he was appointed Honorary Professor of the University of Würzburg (Chair of General Education Studies).

Manfred Ach (2009)

Member of the Bavarian Landtag from 1994 to 2008, serving as the Chairman of the Committee on the State Budget and Financial Issues. In this capacity, he always remained a loyal and unconditional supporter in the funding of the University's major construction projects.

Prof. Dr. Dieter Salch (2007)

Honorary Professor of Tax and Corporate Law since 2001. Member of the Associative Council of the University Union since 1990, Member of the Board since 1997. In 1991, Salch established a foundation in the context of the University Union, with the goal of promoting research and teaching, especially in the Legal Faculty. In 1999, he was appointed to the University Council, serving as Deputy Chairman for several years, before eventually becoming Chairman of this body.

Hans Zehetmair (2005)

Bavarian State Minister from 1986 to 2003, responsible, among others, for the portfolios of Science and Research as from 1989. Honored for the constant support he provided to the University during the creation of its academic profile.

Professor Theodor Berchem (2004)

President of the University of Würzburg from 1975 to 2003. His term of office brought about quite a number of decisions that led to Würzburg's rise into the top bracket of German universities. He initiated well-directed structural changes in order to enhance the strengths of the University. Among other measures, he introduced application-oriented study programs, promoted international co-operation, and expanded the collaboration with business companies.

Herbert Brause, Graduate Engineer (1995)

Honorary Doctor of the University of Würzburg (1980) and its constant patron. In 1976, he accepted a lectureship in School Education, which he also used to pass on his technical media expertise. In 1986, he established the foundation that bears his name, which, among other goals, promotes Media Education. The foundation has funded, for instance, the purchase of multi-media equipment at the ENT Clinic and the construction of the Center for Languages and Media Education on Hubland Campus.

Arnold Heimberger (1993)

Legal Adviser to the University of Würzburg from 1948 to 1978, Permanent Deputy of the Chancellor after 1969, he was honored for his commitment to the resumption and further development of University activities after the devastation of the City of Würzburg in March, 1945.

Michael Klett (1992)

Chairman of the Board of Klett Inc. (Stuttgart). The Klett publishing house has had close ties to the University since 1970, when it funded the first language laboratory. Michael Klett is committed to the University's goal of closing the rift between Medicine/Natural Science and the Humanities, especially in his capacity as co-organizer of the Würzburg Symposiums.