November 10, 2015
“With passing of Helmut Schmidt, Jacobs University has lost an inspiring patron who for many years contributed greatly to the development of an English-language university in Germany based on the Anglo-American model,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katja Windt, President of Jacobs University. “Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.”
Helmut Schmidt delivered the inaugural speech marking the opening of what was then Bremen International University on September 20, 2001. The following words became embedded in the consciousness of Jacobs University:
“What I wish for on your behalf is that in just a few years your students will emerge as highly capable – capable of performing autonomously, making their own judgments, and leading others, which means: capable of taking responsibility. Whether they become biogeneticists or heads of banks, or even the German chancellor or the President of the USA, whether lawyers or university lecturers – all of them will have to take responsibility at some point in their lives. Nobody has rights alone, everybody has duties as well.”
“It is in this spirit,” said the President of Jacobs University, “that we will continue to guide Jacobs University into the future.”