Our Head of Department of Chemistry, Prof. Tom Nilges, opened the event and expressed his gratitude to all parents who entrusted the instructors of the School with their “offspring.” He also acknowledged the organizing team, as well as the photographers from the technical staff, before giving a brief introduction to the TUM School of Natural Sciences and handing over to Prof. Fritz Kühn, Vice Dean Academic & Student Affairs.
Prof. Kühn reflected on the development of student numbers since the move to Garching in the 1960s and thanked the Jürgen Manchot Foundation for its long-standing support. Afterwards, student representatives Ole Fleischhauer and Veronika Hobmeier welcomed the guests on behalf of the student body and extended a special greeting to the attending Academic Program Directors (APDs).
Research in Focus: Lecture by Prof. Helge Stein
Prof. Helge Stein presented his lecture “Discovery at all scales from many places with unconventional means.” He illustrated the complexity of research and expressed his wish that the students had “hopefully learned at least a little bit about the vast field of research” during their studies. Stein’s work centers on robotic systems capable of testing 100 to 1,000 battery materials automatically—including the automated assembly of coin battery cells in a glovebox. After thanking his research partners, he handed the floor back to the students.
Golden Chalk Awards and Supervisory Award
During the traditional Golden Chalk Awards presented by the MPIC student council, the best teaching of the year was honored. The awardees were:
- Best Bachelor Lecture: Prof. Frank Ortmann (Quantum Mechanics)
- Best Master Lecture: Prof. Hubert Gasteiger (Fundamentals of Electrochemistry)
- Best Laboratory Course: Dr. Christian Gemel (Introductory Laboratory, Inorganic Chemistry 2)
Prof. Frank Ortmann (Bachelor Lecture Quantum Mechanics)
Prof. Ortmann teaches the first theoretical lecture in the chemistry curriculum with great care, building clearly on the mathematical foundations of the initial semesters. Through videos, “tweedback” tools, and short quizzes, he designs an interactive course that encourages continuous learning. Particularly popular are the comic character “Herbert” and creative elements, such as his custom Bra-Ket Tetris, which make complex concepts more accessible. For his consistent development of the lecture, he receives the Golden Chalk for the best Bachelor-level teaching.
Prof. Hubert Gasteiger (Master Lecture Fundamentals of Electrochemistry)
Prof. Gasteiger captivates a diverse audience with his passionate and in-depth introduction to electrochemistry. He covers a broad range of topics yet still addresses questions and differing knowledge levels in detail. Example calculations, exercises, and e-tests support students’ understanding and make this demanding lecture especially valuable. He therefore receives the Golden Chalk for the best Master-level teaching this year.
Dr. Christian Gemel (Inorganic & Physical Chemistry Laboratory Courses)
Dr. Gemel continuously modernizes and improves the laboratory courses, ensuring students gain a strong introduction to laboratory work. In both the introductory laboratory and the “ion lottery” of the Inorganic Chemistry 2 lab, clear structures and helpful materials—such as separation procedure videos—greatly support learning. His presence as a laboratory assistant reflects his exceptional dedication to ensuring smooth daily operations in the lab. For this, he is honored with the Golden Chalk for the best laboratory course.
The Supervisory Award was then presented to Prof. Stephan Sieber for his outstanding supervision of doctoral candidates. Doctoral Representatives Paula Neumann and Melanie Hofmann emphasized the exceptional scientific support he provides within his research group. During the certificate ceremony, Prof. Sieber thanked his team and emphasized: “Scientific freedom and creativity are important to me.” He also highlighted the strong cohesion within his group.
Memories of Student Life: Speech by Sofia Ostrovskyj
Graduate Sofia Ostrovskyj reflected in her farewell speech on years of study at the TUM School of Natural Sciences—years full of challenges, learning moments, and humorous mishaps in the laboratory. She recalled the first lectures, an initial feeling of being overwhelmed, and the gradual journey toward understanding complex material. She particularly emphasized the importance of community, friendships, and mutual support, which shaped and eased the study experience. With a wink, she reminisced about chaotic lab adventures, marathon calculation sessions, and the regular patience tests caused by the U-Bahn ride to Garching. She noted that studying had provided not only academic knowledge but also personal growth and future directions . She encouraged her fellow graduates to make bold choices and follow their own paths. Finally, she thanked instructors, staff, families, and friends and congratulated all graduates on their achievements.
After a coffee break, the ceremonial awarding of certificates began, presented by the Academic Program Directors: Prof. Olaf Hinrichsen (Chemical Engineering), Prof. Martin Elsner (Chemistry), and Dr. Martin Haslbeck, representing Prof. Johannes Buchner for Biochemistry.
Student Awards of the Jürgen Manchot Foundation
To conclude the official program, Prof. Nilges presented the work of the Jürgen Manchot Foundation before the student award recipients of this year were honored.
Bachelor Award Recipients:
- Biochemistry: Hanna Mayr
- Chemistry: Jakob Kukral
- Chemical Engineering: Giovanni Merlo
Master Award Recipients:
- Biochemistry: Friederike Reinhard and Christina Angerer
- Chemistry: Cara Kohler (joining remotely from Canada) and Emanuel Kring
- Chemical Engineering: Cornelia Maier and Lukas Arcuri
The student council concluded by expressing heartfelt thanks to the graduates, their families, the instructors, the APDs, as well as Prof. Nilges, Prof. Kühn, and the organizing team.
Musical Finale
As customary, the celebration ended with snacks, drinks, and musical accompaniment by the “Old’s Cool BigBand,” the TUM professors’ band, outside the Hans Fischer Lecture Hall.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Jürgen Manchot Foundation.
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