Two New Prorectors Elected

At its meeting on 12 May 2009 the Senate of Heidelberg University elected two new prorectors. Psychologist Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Sonntag will be in charge of Quality Development for three years commencing on 1 October 2009. Theologian Prof. Dr. Friederike Nüssel takes over as Prorector for Studies and Teaching as of 1 April 2010. Up till then this function will continue to be performed by Prorector Prof. Dr. Thomas Pfeiffer, who from 1 October 2009 will also be responsible for International Affairs. He takes over from Prof. Dr. Vera Nünning, whose period in office ends in September 2009. The election is subject to confirmation by the University Council.

Karlheinz Sonntag (59) is professor of industrial and organisational psychology at the Institute of Psychology of the Faculty of Behavioural and Empirical Sciences. After studying business management and psychology at the Universities of Augsburg and Munich he was awarded his doctorate by the University of Munich in 1982. He did his Habilitation at Kassel University in 1988. In 1993 he was appointed professor at Heidelberg University. Karlheinz Sonntag has been visiting professor at the Universities of Berne and Vienna and at the Université de Fribourg. For his outstanding teaching achievements he was awarded the State Teaching Prize of Baden-Württemberg’s Ministry of Science, Research and Art in 2001.

Friederike Nüssel (48) is professor of systematic theology and director of the Ecumenical Institute of the Faculty of Theology. Born in Heidelberg, she studied Protestant Theology in Tübingen, Göttingen and Munich. In 1986 she was awarded a degree in religious philosophy and ethics at King’s College London. After the first divinity examination in 1989 she received a doctorate from Munich University, where she also did her Habilitation. Before coming to Heidelberg Friederike Nüssel was professor of systematic theology at Münster University from 2001 to 2006. Since October 2006 she has been student affairs dean of the Faculty of Theology.

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