Renowned JGU Personalities

Nobel laureates

1995: Prof. Dr. Paul Crutzen

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded Dr. Paul Crutzen from the Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry with the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1995. Professor Mario Molina from MIT, Cambridge, USA and Professor F. Sherwood Rowland from the University of California, Irvine, USA, also received the prize for their chemistry research dealing with the atmosphere, especially the formation and depletion of ozone.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1995 (official web page)

1956: Werner Otto Theodor Forßmann

The Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Werner Otto Theodor Forßmann, André Frédéric Cournand and Dickinson W. Richards in 1956 for their discoveries in relation to cardiac catheterization and pathological changes in the circulatory system.

In 1929, Werner Forßmann (1904-1979), who was then an intern at the Auguste Victoria Clinic (today known as the Werner Forßmann Hospital) in Eberswalde near Berlin, carried out the first cardiac catheterization by way of an experiment on himself. His contributions to therapeutic heart surgery were finally recognized in 1954 when he was awarded the Leibniz Medal by the German Academy of Sciences. In further recognition of his work, he was also awarded the hugely significant Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with star and shoulder band.

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz named Werner Forßmann as an honorary professor in 1956.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1956 (official web page)

Leibniz Prize recipients

• 2005, Prof. Immanuel F. Bloch, Experimental Physics
• 2005, Prof. Jürgen Gauß, Theoretical Chemistry
• 1990, Prof. Konrad Kleinknecht, Experimental Physics
• 1988, Prof. Hans Wolfgang Spiess, Physical Chemistry (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research)

The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, which is the short name for the "Förderpreis für deutsche Wissenschaftler im Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Programm der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft" (Award for German Scientists in the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Program of the German Research Foundation), or the Leibniz Prize for short, is named after the scientist Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716). It has been awarded by the German Research Foundation every year since 1986 to scientists from different scientific fields working in Germany.

The prize is worth EUR 2.5 million (prior to 2006: EUR 1.55 million) for each recipient. The size of the monetary amount awarded makes the award the best endowed of all awards given for scientific achievement worldwide. The prize money must be used for project-related purposes, in particular the promotion of young scientists.

Alexander von Humboldt Professorships

• 2017, Prof. Dr. Peter Baumann, Molecular Biology (press release)
• 2013 Prof. Dr. Wolfram Ruf, Hemostaseology (press release)
• 2013 Prof. Dr. Jairo Sinova, Theoretical Physics (press release)

The Alexander von Humboldt-Professorship is an award for foreign academics of all disciplines, who are internationally recognized as leaders in their field and who are expected to contribute to enhancing Germany's sustained international competitiveness as a research location. The Alexander von Humboldt Professorship, which is financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research through the International Research Fund for Germany, enables award winners to carry out long-term and ground-breaking research at universities and research institutions in Germany.

The award funds, totalling EUR 5 million for academics in experimental disciplines and EUR 3.5 million for researchers in theoretical disciplines, are made available for a period of five years.

Johannes Gutenberg Endowed Professorships

• 2019, Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. med. habil. Hanns Hatt
• 2018, Prof. Dr. Herfried Münkler
• 2017, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Wahlster
• 2016, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Onur Güntürkün
• 2015, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Aleida Assmann und Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Jan Assmann
• 2014, Prof. Dr. Christof Wetterich
• 2013, Prof. Dr. Gerold Krause-Junk
• 2012, Prof. Dr. Friedemann Schrenk
• 2011, Prof. Dr. Gottfried Boehm
• 2010, Prof. Dr. phil. Angela D. Friederici
• 2009, Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Karl Kardinal Lehmann
• 2008, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jan Philipp Reemtsma
• 2007, Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Fritz Melchers
• 2006, Prof. Dr. Anton Zeilinger
• 2005, Prof. Dr. Peter Ruzicka
• 2004, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Klaus Töpfer
• 2003, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Frühwald
• 2002, Prof. Dr. h.c. Hans-Dietrich Genscher
• 2001, Prof. Dr. Bert Hölldobler
• 2000, Prof. Fritz Stern

In the year 2000, to mark 600 years since the birth of Johannes Gutenberg, the Friends of Mainz University established the Johannes Gutenberg Endowed Professorship as a non-profit foundation. The aim of the foundation is to promote the reputation and appeal of the JGU. The guest professor sets new standards in teaching and research, conveys to the public an image of science as a vital necessity while also addressing current issues in science.

Honorary doctors

The University Archive's list of honorary doctorates awarded by JGU (web page in German)

The standards for awarding honorary doctorates have changed considerably over the last decades. While a past with ties to the National Socialist party may not have been a disqualifying factor for receiving academic honors directly after the war, such ties are viewed much more critically today. Additionally, newer research may shed light on questionable aspects of those honored – aspects still unknown at the time the honorary degrees were awarded. The list of honorary doctorates awarded by JGU therefore also includes awards which must be viewed and understood in the framework of their historical context. JGU aims to deal with its past critically. That includes being transparent about the historical awarding of honors.

Honorary senators

• Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Renate von Bardeleben
• Wilhelm Boden, former Prime Minister of Rheinland Palatinate and former President of the State Central Bank
• Albert Boehringer, industrialist
• Christian Eckert, former Rector of the University of Cologne and former Lord Mayor of the City of Worms
• Prof. Dr. Jürgen W. Falter
• Henry Guerin, Governor of Rhinehesse
• Kurt Hansen, CEO of Farbenfabriken Bayer AG
• Dr. Walter Kalkhof-Rose
• Franz-Josef Kohl-Weigand, industrialist
• Prof. Dr. Peter Paul Konder
• Prof. Helmut Mathy, former Undersecretary
• Countess of Matuschka-Greiffenclau, Klara
• Prof. Dr. Rolf Peffekoven
• Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter Schneider, last Rector and first President of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
• Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Erich Schott
• Jakob Steffan, former Home Secretary of Rhineland-Palatinate
• Franz Stein, former Lord Mayor of the City of Mainz
• Wilhelm Steinlein, former Secretary of State
• Albert Stohr, Bishop of Mainz
• Dr. Dr. h.c. Ludwig Strecker, from music publisher B. Schott's Söhne
• Prof. Dr. Leo Trepp
• Carl Wurster, CEO of BASF AG
• Dr. Rainer Zerb
• Prof. Dr. Josef Georg Ziegler, Prelate

By awarding the title of honorary senator, JGU can honor members of the university community who have made a particular contribution to the life of the university. Honorary senators at JGU include industrialist Albert Boehringer, the former governor of Rhinehesse Henry Guerin, Walther Kalkhof-Rose, the first President of JGU, Professor Dr. Peter Schneider, as well as Albert Stohr, former Bishop of Mainz.

Honorary citizens

• Dr. Klaus G. Adam, President of the Board of Trustees at Friends of Mainz University and Chairman of the Johannes Gutenberg University Foundation
• Leopold Arnsperger, CEO of Knoll AG
• Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. h. c. Andreas Barner
• Heinz Berndt, director of iron and steel works
• Friedrich Bischoff, retired Director of Südwestfunk
• Otto Boehringer, junior, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
• Erich Dombrowski, Editor-in-Chief of the Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz
• Graf von und zu Jakob Eltz
• Prof. Dr. Pierre Feuillée, former President of the Université de Bourgogne, Dijon
• André François-Poncet, Ambassadeur de France
• Dr. Hans Friderichs, former Federal Minister, Chairman of the University Council and the University Board of Trustees
• Jockel Fuchs, former Lord Mayor of the City of Mainz
• Karl Glaser, industrialist
• Prof. Dr. Drago Grdenic, former Rector of the University of Zagreb
• Prof. Dr. Heinrich Hopff
• Hanns Dieter Hüsch, cabaret artist
• Dr. Alfred Hüthig
• Kleinmann, Louis Theodor, Colonel, 1945-1946, city commander for Mainz
• Hans Klenk, Consul General and industrialist
• Julius Lehlbach, former memeber of the state parliament, former Chairman of the German Federation of Trade Unions in Rhineland-Palatinate
• Kardinal Karl Lehmann, Bishop of Mainz
• Julius Liebrecht, industrialist
• Otto Löhr, former director of the Education Academy
• Dr. Ernst Marx
• Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Werner Neuse
• Dr. h.c. Michel Oppenheim, former Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Mainz, and co-founder of Friends of Mainz University
• Roger Paris, former President of the Université de Bourgogne, Dijon
• Jocelyne Pérard, former President of the Université de Bourgogne, Dijon
• Emil Pretorius, former President of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts
• Prof. Dr. h.c. Menahem Pressler, pianist, music teacher, and founder of the Beaux Arts Trio
• Prof. Dr. Olin C. Robison, former President of Middlebury College in Vermont
• Prof. Emy Roeder, sculptor
• Dr. Georg Rückert, former President of the cabinet
• Freiherr Dr. h.c. Curt von Salmuth
• Diether Sammet, former Technical Director of ESWE
• Dr. Otto Sartorius
• Ernst Schäck, former Assistant Secretary
• Prof. Dr. Erling Ozer Schild, former Rector of the University of Haifa
• Dr. Anna Seghers, writer
• Freiherr Alexander von Senarclens-Grancy
• Dr. Dr. h.c., Ludwig Strecker, from music publisher B. Schott's Söhne
• Dr. Lothar Strobel, lawyer, Generalbevollmächtigter des Verwaltungsrats der Blendax-Werke a.D.
• Prof. Dr. Adolf Süsterhenn, former Member of Parliament, former Minister of State, former President of the Higher Regional Administrative Court, and former Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Justice in Koblenz
• Dr. Wulf Vater
• Prof. Dr. Jaques Vaudiaux, Rector of the Montpellier Academy
• Dr. Siegfried Wagner, former President of the Judicial Examination Office
• Prof. Dr. Herbert Willersinn, Board Memeber at BASF AG
• Dr. mult. h.c. Carl Zuckmayer, writer

With the title of honorary citizen, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz honors people who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of science or the arts. Honorary citizens of JGU include Otto Boehringer, retired Federal Minister Dr. Hans Friderichs, cabaret artist Hanns Dieter Hüsch, his Excellency Cardinal Karl Lehmann, Bishop of Mainz and the writer Carl Zuckmayer.

Holders of JGU medals

Holders of the Diether von Isenburg Medal

• Dr. h.c. Klaus G. Adam, Chairman of Friends of Mainz University
• Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Barner, Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim
• Hermann Dexheimer, Editor-in-Chief
• Almut Diethelm, founder of the Prof. Dr. med. Lothar Diethelm-Gedächtnisstiftung
• Dr. Willy Eberz, President of the Social Court in Mainz, first Chairman of the General Students' Committee
• Dr. Dr. h.c. Fritz Eichholz, Chancellor
• Helmut Fahlbusch
• Dr. Hans Friderichs, former Federal Minister, Chairman of the University Council and the University Board of Trustees
• Prof. em. Dr. Elisabeth Gateff, former holder of the chair in genetics at JGU
• Peter Geipel, Foundation and Financial Advisor
• Dr. h.c. Johannes Gerster, State Commissioner in the Konrad Adenauer Foundation
• Dr. Elke Göbel and Dr. Rainer Göbel, founders of the Dres. Elke und Rainer Göbel-Stiftung and of the Dres. Göbel Klima-Stiftung
• Helga Hammer
• Helga Hammer
• Klaus Hammer
• Sibylle Kalkhof-Rose
• Alexander Karl, Manager at the car dealership Karl + Co
• Dr. Anton Maria Keim, Director of Education and Cultural Affairs for the City of Mainz
• Dr. Peter Payer, Managing Director of the Robert Bosch Foundation up to 1990
• Helmut Rittgen, President at the Mainz headquarters of the German Central Bank
• Kurt Roeske, former Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Friends of Mainz University
• WIlhelm Schmitt
• Paul Skonieczny, Secretary of State and General Director of the Landesbank Rheinland-Pfalz Girozentrale

With the Diether von Isenburg Medal, JGU awards its friends and supporters.

Holders of the Medal of Honor

• Dr. Lutz Baumann, Head of the JGU Dijon Office
• Dr. Renate Gahn, former Gender Equality Representative of JGU
• Prof. Dr. Helmut Herminghaus
• Dr. Karl-Heinz Kaiser
• Dr. Siegfried Wenneis, former Chairman of the JGU Staff Council
• Prof. Dr. Norbert Trautmann

The University Senate awards the JGU Medal of Honor to accomplished members of the university for their extraordinary commitment to and involvement in university matters and their contribution to further enhance the prestige of the university.

Holders of the Dr. Willy Eberz Medal

• Hendrik Büggeln
• Adeline Duvivier
• Peter Herbert Eisenhuth
• Olav Franzen
• Heiko Geisenhof
• Gunther Heinisch
• Marcel Hüttel
• Volker Klemm
• Gisela Mainberger
• Brigitte Oberle
• Astrid Papendick
• Stefan Schmidt
• Holger Schulz

Students can be awarded the Dr. Willy Eberz Medal by the Senate if they have made outstanding contributions to JGU and/or its students through their extraordinary commitment shown within the context of the student and/or university self-governing body and who, in doing so, help to strengthen the students' identification with their university.