Leibniz University Hannover University News & Events Press Releases
Professor Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke is Honorary Citizen of Leibniz Universität

Professor Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke is Honorary Citizen of Leibniz Universität

Press release from

The President Professor Dr. iur. Volker Epping appoints his predecessor Honorary Citizen

Prestigious award for the former President of the Leibniz Universität Hannover: Professor Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke is now an Honorary Citizen of the university. On behalf of the presidential board the new President of Leibniz Universität Hannover, Professor Dr. iur. Volker Epping appointed Professor Barke an Honorary Citizen in honour of his exceptional services for the university following a proposal by the Senate of the university. During his address on assuming the office of President Professor Epping specifically emphasised the subtle humour, eloquence and powerful presence of his predecessor, which were a hallmark of his time in office.

His certificate of appointment states: "Professor Barke was President of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover from 2005 to 2014. He played an essential role in shaping its internal and external identity by renaming the university after the polymath Leibniz as well as promoting the university in the city and throughout the Hannover region. Throughout his tenure he placed as much importance on close cooperation with the other Hannover universities, the Braunschweig and Clausthal universities of technology as well as with non-university research facilities as equally as networking Leibniz Universität Hannover with the TU9 universities. He was particularly concerned with the well-being of the students. For instance, Mr Barke also successfully acquired significant sums in the form of donations for scholarships. In addition, he provided a substantial amount of input for interdisciplinary cooperation. In doing so, he not only made a significant contribution towards raising the profile of Leibniz Universität but also promoting a sense of togetherness among its members."

Notes for Editors

For more information, please contact Mechtild Freiin v. Münchhausen, Head of Communications and Marketing and spokesperson of Leibniz Universität Hannover, on +49 511 762 5342 or send an e-mail to kommunikation@uni-hannover.de.