25 Years of the Faculty of Social Sciences

On December 6, a ceremony was held to celebrate “25 Years of the Department of Social Work/Faculty of Social Sciences.”

Over the past 25 years, the faculty has grown and, starting with the Social Work degree programme, has expanded to include five additional degree programmes—three Bachelor’s degree programmes and two Master's degree programmes. The program offerings now include the bachelor’s programs in Social Work, childhood education, Special Needs Education/Inclusion Studies, communication psychology, and the Master's degree programme in management of social change; and the continuing education Master's degree programme in Social Gerontology.

With its holistic educational model, the faculty is good for the future. Its strong practical focus forms the foundation for teaching and research.

The celebration program included welcoming remarks and a commemorative lecture in the lecture hall of the Hermann-Heitkamp Building, a musical reception in the auditorium, and a culinary conclusion in Görlitz’s Old Town.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by, among others, Prof. Dr. phil. Friedrich Albrecht, Rector of the University; Dr. Petra Zimmermann, head of the Department of Youth, Schools, Sports, and Social Affairs for the City of Görlitz; and Prof. Dr. oec. habil. Gisela Thiele, Dean of the faculty from 2009 to 2015. The event was moderated by the Dean, Prof. Dr. Andreas Hoff.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. phil. Joachim Schulze. In it, he vividly explored the faculty’s roots and the necessity of teaching and research in the Social Sciences. In his lecture, he evoked memories of the founding period at the “Hagspihl” villa at Goethestraße 5 and of the “Bauhütte” era during the construction of the current faculty building.

The reception in the auditorium was festively accompanied on the piano by the up-and-coming musician Latschesar Neykov. A faculty quiz and older film clips from teaching and University marketing provided excitement, joy, and plenty of smiles.

The celebration concluded with a cozy get-together at a historic restaurant in Görlitz’s Old Town.

Text: Steffen Zücker