50th alumni anniversary at Campus Senftenberg

50 years ago, the seminar group K72/3 celebrated their graduation in Power Station Technology in Senftenberg. It was an exciting period of study in the mid-1970s that welded the group together. Not only did they study in a confined space, they also lived together in shared beds in the student hall of residence. In addition to studying, the group naturally also bonded over their leisure time and friendship. Celebrations and cheerfulness were not in short supply during their studies. Now, after 50 years, some alumni of this seminar group have come together again in Senftenberg on 27 June 2025 to celebrate this anniversary in the place that significantly shaped their lives. A lot has happened in the power plant sector in the half century of their professional lives. While capacities were expanded in the past, dismantling and restructuring are now major issues. Many changes, innovations and technologies have characterised the path. Looking back, the group of alumni confirm that the periods of study in Senftenberg were one of the most enjoyable parts of their lives and, of course, decisive for their future careers. For example, Mr Lüdemann has successfully founded his own company and, due to his international work experience, he says: "Knowledge of English is now essential. It's good that this is recognised at BTU." Unlike back then, over 40 procent of students now come from abroad. English is not only practised in teaching, but also in campus life.

The alumni were able to learn about old and new things at the university, although the campus is now characterised by health study programmes, teaching, Biotechnology and applied natural sciences and only a few annexes still bear witness to the former Power Station Technology. After a joint lunch in the canteen, parts of which are still reminiscent of the past, the former graduates Lüdemann, Roggow, Kahls, Rudolf and Götze received their anniversary certificates of honour from the Vice President for Internationalisation Prof. Dr. Wolfram Berger and the Alumni Representative Daniel Ebert, as well as the graduate hats that now go to all graduates as a memento of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. They then toasted this remarkable anniversary with a glass of sparkling wine.

To the delight of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, the K72/3 seminar group also made a large donation over 20.000 Euro to the university, effectively supporting alumni work here. Not only the Department of Friend- and Fundraising, Alumni and the Executive Committee are pleased about this, but the thanks to the alumni come from the entire university. The money will help us to continue to organise graduation ceremonies for students as they make the transition from student to alumni. And hopefully these new alumni will also think of their alma mater in 50 years' time and come back with interesting stories from their student and professional lives to celebrate their anniversaries.

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BTU is always happy to hear from other people who are interested in supporting the university and its students. Information can be found at https://www.b-tu.de/universitaet/stiften-und-foerdern.