LMU Foundation Day: Science with Responsibility

With a clear commitment to freedom of expression and opposition to discrimination, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) celebrated its 554th Foundation Day on 26 June. The tone was set from the outset by President Matthias Tschöp, who focused on the role of the university at a time of social tensions and global challenges.

In his address, the President recalled the historical significance of the Great Hall, the venue of the celebration. Nearly 80 years ago, Bavaria’s constitution was debated there as an affirmation of human dignity, freedom, peace, and the rule of law in the aftermath of war and dictatorship.

Against this backdrop, Tschöp posed the question of what defines the greatness of a university. While LMU, as a University of Excellence, can point to outstanding research achievements, he argued that the ambition of a truly great university must extend beyond academic success: “We want to be among the best in the world, but we also want to enable truly free and outstanding scholarship.”

Science, he stressed, must not remain confined to academia. Its purpose is to generate knowledge that saves lives, strengthens democracy, and deepens our understanding of the world. In doing so, Tschöp highlighted LMU’s broader societal role: beyond educating researchers, the university trains thousands of future physicians, teachers, lawyers, and media professionals each year—people who will go on to shape society in significant ways.

The President spoke particularly candidly about the challenges of the present: “We live in a time when the conflicts of the world do not stop at the gates of the university. They enter our campuses—sometimes as pain, sometimes as fear, sometimes as anger, and sometimes as hatred. And here at LMU, we know that it would not be enough to respond with formulas alone.”

The importance of science and research for Bavaria and, more specifically, for Munich was highlighted by Dominik Krause, Mayor of the City of Munich, and Stephanie Jacobs, Head of Office at the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.

He emphasized the need to safeguard the values of an open and democratic society: “We must not casually surrender academic freedom and freedom of expression simply to avoid upsetting anyone. But neither can we allow activism or external influence of any kind to create spaces that attack precisely those values that were meant to be protected in this hall 80 years ago through the establishment of the Bavarian Constitution.”

The university, he said, must remain a place “where the better argument carries more weight than the louder slogan; where hatred, xenophobia, racism, antisemitism, sexism, homophobia, extremism, and every form of hostility toward others have no place; and where open inquiry is protected, especially when it is uncomfortable. Therefore, let me state once again very clearly: LMU, the university leadership, and I personally are committed to doing everything in our power to live up to this standard.”

At the same time, Tschöp acknowledged the limits of any institution: “This will not always succeed. Greatness also lies in recognizing that we are never free of mistakes, but above all in the willingness to correct ourselves and in the understanding that we cannot solve major challenges alone.”

He concluded with an appeal to the audience: “We need courageous people with keen intellects and compassionate hearts to live by and safeguard, day after day, the values that define our free and democratic society. We invite you to be part of this mission. For together with all of you, we can aspire to excellence—while never forgetting what is even more important: not only to be the best, but to be among the good.”

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As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, LMU traditionally honors scholars whose work advances society through new knowledge. Awards were presented both to early-career researchers through the Munich University Society’s doctoral and habilitation prizes and, for the first time, to individuals outside the university who have rendered exceptional service to LMU through the President’s Medal of Honor.

One recipient was Dr. h.c. mult. Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria. Through a life spanning a century—one that has witnessed both the darkest chapters of German history and hope—she symbolizes LMU’s commitment to confronting authoritarian, anti-democratic, and antisemitic challenges.

Another recipient is Franz Duke of Bavaria, one of LMU’s most distinguished alumni. As a representative of the House of Wittelsbach and a direct descendant of the university’s founders, he has provided outstanding support for LMU’s mission and helped enhance the university’s reputation far beyond academia.

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The scientific program of the Foundation Day spanned topics ranging from the origins of life to the great questions of the universe. Professor Maria Elena Torres-Padilla, Chair of Stem Cell Biology, spoke on “How Life Begins,” presenting current insights from developmental and stem cell research. Professor Kevin Heng, Chair of Theoretical Astrophysics of Extrasolar Planets, explored processes beyond our solar system in his lecture “Exoplanets – Are We Alone?”

The event concluded with a critical reflection on the university itself. In a roundtable discussion moderated by Caro Matzko and titled “More Women. More Science”, President Matthias Tschöp, LMU Vice President for Diversity Dr. Margit Weber, and Professor Marion Subklewe of LMU University Hospital discussed a persistent challenge: why the imbalance between women and men in academic leadership positions remains too great—and how the new university leadership intends to address it.

The Foundation Day thus brought together scientific excellence, social responsibility, and pressing questions about the future—themes that also shaped the President’s address and underscored LMU’s role as a place of free inquiry and democratic debate.

MUG prizes for doctoral and habilitation theses : This year, Munich University Society is awarding eight prizes to early-career researchers at LMU for their outstanding doctoral and habilitation projects.