50th-anniversary reunion on the Campus Senftenberg 

Among other things, they had already visited the area back in 2016 and, two years ago, presented the university with their long-standing class chronicle, which documented the highlights of their periods of study from 1973 to 1976 and their regular reunions. To mark their anniversary reunion, the visit was the highlight of a weekend spent together, sharing memories and exploring the town of Senftenberg and the Lusatian Lake District.

Of the 16 remaining members of the former group of 21 classmates, nine attended the reunion in May 2026 with their partners and were delighted that their former physics lecturer, Michael Franke, who had studied mining engineering in Senftenberg in the 1960s, had accepted the invitation.

Modern laboratories and new study programmes  

To kick off the informative tour programme, Dr Anne Lutter, the Location Development officer, welcomed the graduates to the BTU main building. In the campus library – still well known to alumni as the auditorium and venue for numerous celebrations, and in particular the legendary Senftenberg Student Carnival – the deputy director, Dr Aleksandra Starczewska-Wojnar, provided an overview of the diverse range of contemporary facilities. Insights into the artistic work of long-standing BTU photographer Ralf Schuster were provided by the colourful drawings in his exhibition “The Beautiful, Colourful World of Work and Study”. 

Students from the Lausitz Dynamics team, who are currently preparing for one of the world’s largest energy efficiency competitions in neighbouring Poland, presented their self-developed energy-saving vehicle. Laboratory visits also focused on current topics in teaching and research in Biotechnology and in health-related study programmes. Alongside the Head of the Midwifery study programme, Prof. Dr Franziska Rosenlöcher, and Dr Anne Lutter, teaching and research fellow Michaela Lattke took the time to inform the interested guests and answer their questions.  
A round-table discussion in the Senate Hall, a photo opportunity in front of the miner’s statue created by Dorothea von Philipsborn at the main entrance, and lunch in the canteen brought the visit by the former seminar group A73/2 to the Senftenberg BTU campus to a close.

Alumni certificates of honour and graduation caps

In addition to many new impressions, the former students were delighted to receive, on the occasion of their 50th final degree anniversary, alumni certificates of honour signed by BTU President Prof. Dr Gesine Grande, as well as graduation caps – presented by Dr Anne Lutter and provided by the Alumni Relations Officer, Daniel Ebert.   

“We found the many new degree programmes particularly interesting, especially in the fields of Biotechnology and health, and the insights into midwifery and nursing training were impressive,” summarised Reiner Nitschke, a graduate and the main organiser of the seminar group reunion, and his wife Brigitte Nitschke. “Another highlight was the tour of the university library, which is in a league of its own compared to our time. The demonstration of the HydroRaycer, which is used in the Shell Eco-Marathon, was fascinating. It was an eventful day for everyone, and we would like to express our thanks.”