The central graduation ceremony of our university took place for the eighth time. In a festive setting and usually in the presence of their proud families, the graduates were released by the HSZG into their new phase of life.
"If I were to study again, it would be at the HSZG and again in Communication Psychology," was how Maria Keller ended her speech at the graduation ceremony in the auditorium in Zittau on a Saturday, April 13, 2019. "When Ms. Pfitzner from Public Relations asked me to say a few words, I didn't want to at first. But then I remembered that I'm now a communication psychologist..." The rest of the sentence was lost in the laughing audience, which had squeezed into the last row of chairs in the auditorium. Bachelor of Arts, Maria Keller, together with five other students, was awarded the Förderverein Prize for her outstanding academic achievements. A total of 137 graduates were presented with a memento of their time at university, among fellow students, teachers, parents and grandparents, siblings and friends.
Because "success has many fathers and mothers," Rector Professor Friedrich Albrecht knows that a successful degree is always thanks to the support of family and friends. The Mayor of Zittau, Thomas Zenker, joined in and reminded the audience in his speech of Zittau's bid to become the Capital of Culture - the referendum will take place in May - and of a Europe that thinks together: "Europe needs you all!" Ronald Schmidt, General Manager Industrial Steam at Siemens AG in Görlitz, also gave an impressive speech. He described the emotional rollercoaster ride of the Siemens plants in Görlitz in the recent past. Especially that of the employees. Many of the HSZG alumni work at Siemens. "Make the right decisions," Schmidt concludes.
The band schönfisch breaks the solemn silence and brings a little sunshine into the auditorium with piano music, double bass and electronic sounds. But the April weather can't knock anyone out on this day: hundreds of green balloons rise into the sky after the graduation ceremony, allowing the graduates to send their wishes and dreams on greeting cards. The mountain elm - this year's graduate tree - is planted, watered and finally baptized, then in a winter jacket. It is already the 41st tree in the student park. It smells of bratwurst, thanks to the Zittau mustard store and its snack stand, and people raise a glass to each other. Here's to us!
6 p.m., Volkshaus Zittau, dress code: Evening wear. Rector Professor Friedrich Albrecht opens the evening with a little joke: "Now the hot fight for the cold buffet begins!" But there was actually also a large selection of hot dishes from Herzog Catering. The faculty and degree program photos are taken in the foyer. Next to it was a photo box with all kinds of accessories, such as glasses, beards, hats and ties for funny party photos, which you will hopefully pull out of a dusty box in twenty years and then say: "Oh yes, that was my graduation party in 2019. It's been a long time." It's an evening to remember.
The party band Jolly Jumper celebrated and danced well into the night . The four guys have mastered every genre, every musical millennium: "We were told that you might be a bit tired, sluggish and full from the buffet, maybe you don't feel like dancing and we shouldn't be sad: and now this!" A few graduates are already on their knees to We will rock you and tapping on the dance floor. The stage program of party medleys and evergreens from AC/DC, Rammstein, Backstreet Boys to 90s techno enriches every concert. "Please keep up the good work!"
Congratulations to all HSZG graduates on completing their studies!
