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Panoramic view on the North Campus © Jürgen Huhn​/​TU Dortmund
THREE BUSINESS PERSONALITIES FROM DORTMUND

New Members in the University Council

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The picture shows eight people posing for a group photo. © Oliver Schaper​/​TU Dortmund
The new TU Dortmund University Council (from left to right): Prof. Karin Lochte (deputy chairperson), Elke Niermann, Dr. Joann Halpern, Oliver Hermes, Prof. Johanna Weber (chairperson), Dr. Hendrik Neumann, Isabel Rothe and Professor Joachim Treusch.
The University Council is starting 2023 with a new roster. At the inaugural meeting of the fourth term of office on Friday, 3 February, three new members were welcomed: With the arrival of Oliver Hermes, Dr. Hendrik Neumann and Elke Niermann, there are now three Dortmund business personalities on the Council. Prof. Johanna Weber was elected the new chairperson, succeeding Prof. Ernst Rank, who held this position for 15 years.

TU President Prof. Manfred Bayer welcomed the new members on behalf of the Rectorate, saying “I’m delighted that you’ve agreed to use your expertise to help shape the development of the university as part of this Council”. Oliver Hermes is the chairperson and CEO of the WILO Group, a global technology company based in Dortmund that manufactures pumps and pumping systems. Dr. Hendrik Neumann is on the executive board of Amprion GmbH, a Dortmund-based transmission system operator. He studied electrical engineering at TU Dortmund University, where he also earned his doctorate. Elke Niermann is an auditor and tax consultant at audalis Kohler Punge & Partner, a Dortmund law firm. She studied economics and social sciences at TU Dortmund University and also sits on the board of the Association of Friends of TU Dortmund University (GdF).

Ministerial Counsellor Katrin Linssen presented the new University Council members with their certificates of appointment on behalf of the Minister for Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, Ina Brandes, officially ushering them into office. She then praised the Council for its successful cooperation across the sciences, business and society. The newly formed University Council elected Prof. Johanna Weber as its chairperson. Until 2021, the psychology professor was Rector of the University of Greifswald and has been a member of the TU Dortmund University Council ever since. She took over the role of chairperson from Prof. Ernst Rank, who had held the position since 2007, when the Council was founded. After 15 years, he decided, along with founding members Ulrich Reitz and Dr. Bettina Böhm, not to stand for another term of office. Prof. Karin Lochte was elected as the deputy chairperson.

“I’m looking forward to the continued collaboration and this new role, even if Ernst Rank is leaving big shoes for me to fill after his many years of service,” said the new chairperson, Prof. Johanna Weber. As the chair of the University Council, Prof. Rank led numerous selection committees over three terms in preparation for the election of Rectorate members. He moderated the processes with a great deal of flair, was always available to offer advice and support, and kept an eye on the well-being of the university. First appointed to the then University of Dortmund in 1990, he always kept ties with TU Dortmund University, even after taking up the professorship for Computation in Engineering at the Technical University of Munich in 1997.

Portrait photo of Ernst Rank, Chairman of the University Council © Astrid Eckert
Prof. Ernst Rank chaired the TU Dortmund University Council for 15 years.

The University Council

The University Council of TU Dortmund University has a total of eight external members. In addition to the three new members, the chair and deputy chair, this also includes Dr. Joann Halpern, Prof. Joachim Treusch and Isabel Rothe. The Council has existed ever since the Higher Education Act was reformed in 2007. It advises the Rectorate and oversees its management. The duties of the University Council include selecting the Rectorate, approving the university’s development plan and the business plan as well as signing off on the annual financial statements. Members are appointed by the Ministry of Culture and Science for a five-year term once the Senate has endorsed the list.

More Information on the University Council

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