Due to security measurements, we unfortunately weren’t able to take our phones inside of the plant to take any pictures or videos, but believe us, it was truly spectacular and mesmerizing.
In the evening, we concluded our anniversary celebrations with a wonderful dinner at Restaurant Ship Alexander von Humboldt with the current Dickinson-in-Germany students as well as many of our guests of honor.
We would like to thank everyone who took part in our 40th Anniversary Program celebrations. We are so grateful for our Dickinson-in-Bremen community, friends and supporters all around the world.
Tuesday started with a visit of the University of Bremen Law Faculty, which recently moved into their new building Forum am Domshof in the city center. Two professors and former judge President Jones got a chance to have a chat about their specialties and the different legal systems of our two countries.
Afterwards, the newest Dickinson Chair on the University of Bremen campus was inaugurated. Exactly ten years after the unveiling of the first three “Dickinson Chairs” on campus, this is the first chair at the new Forum at Domshof campus. The “Dickinson Chairs” in Bremen symbolize the enduring partnership between the institutions.
In the afternoon, President Jones and his wife Beth were given an exclusive tour at the late medieval Town Hall, together with Consul General Jason Chue (Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Hamburg) and former College President Bill Durden and his wife Elke, among others
The exclusive tour was given by Dr. Annette Lang (Head of Division International Cooperation and Development Cooperation at the Senate Chancellery of Bremen and former head of the International Office at University of Bremen).
During the visit at the town hall, the group also had a special meeting with Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte who warmly expressed his personal dedication to the transatlantic partnership.
In the evening, the sixth Dickinson College Public Lecture took place at the Schütting, the16th-century house of the Chamber of Commerce at the market square of Bremen. Almost 100 people attended the festive event.
The evening began with greetings by Eduard Dubbers-Albrecht (Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce Bremen) and Ulf-Brün Drechsel (President of the Carl Schurz German-American Club), followed by welcome addresses delivered by Prof. Dr. Jutta Günther (Rector of the University of Bremen) and Jason Chue (Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Hamburg).
Then, Dr. Ludwig spoke with President Jones about the new US Administration. At the end of the insightful interview, the guests had the possibility to ask questions to President Jones, and many seized this opportunity.
The event was concluded with a reception during which students & alumni engaged in stimulating conversations with experienced transatlanticists & representatives and made many new contacts.
Monday morning started with a short visit to the Dickinson Room on campus, before President Jones and his wife received a special tour through the Bremen Drop Tower, at Uni Bremen’s ZARM institute.
ZARM is an institute within the faculty of Production Engineering, and the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity. More than 100 scientists conduct cutting-edge research using experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to explore fundamental scientific questions as well as to develop innovative technologies for space missions and microgravity experiments.
The ZARM Drop Tower enables short-term microgravity experiments. A capsule can be dropped and has a free fall in zero gravity. ZARM cooperates, among others, with NASA. This drop tower is unique in Europe.
After a joint lunch at Bellini, it was time to head to the SFG Building on the University Campus, where the Alumni Reception took place.
We welcomed more than 70 people in total: 55 to 60 alumni from Dickinson and the University of Bremen, current Dickinson-in-Germany students, current and former Bremen partners and program officials as well as friends of the program attend the event in person. Several former Dickinson-in-Bremen students traveled to Bremen for the celebrations from other parts of Germany, where they now live; one flew in from the United States.
An additional 22 people joined us virtually from around the world and did not let the, in some cases, very early times due to time differences dissuade them from celebrating with us.
We also welcomed many guests of honor: Prof. Jürgen Timm and his wife, former rector of the university, Klaus Wedemeier, former mayor of Bremen, Bill Durden and his wife Elke, former president of Dickinson, and the current president John E. Jones and his wife Beth. Besides, former program directors and coordinators, many teachers of Uni Bremen and from Dickinson’s German Departments, and people involved in the International Office or the Rectorate who have supported the program.
The celebrations started with five short welcome speeches by current and former directors and college/university presidents.
Afterwards, we (re)connected and engaged in conversation with alumni who are “live” in Bremen and alumni who joined us virtually. Alumni shared anecdotes and their favorite moments of their time in Bremen or at Dickinson, and we cherished the special moments and life-long connections that were formed during this formative period.
The range of alumni attending the event covered the entire program history, with both the very first student participating in the exchange in 1985 and our current Dickinson-in-Bremen students, as well as the University of Bremen students that have just returned days ago from their exchange year at Dickinson, being present.
Afterwards, we held our coffee and cake reception outside in the backyard, while we started the virtual screening of our anniversary movie inside and for our guests in the zoom. The approximately 30min long movie presented a beautiful bag of memories with pictures, videos and impressions from student adventures over the years.
From June 1st until June 4th the William G. and Elke Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program celebrated its 40th program anniversary with various events in Bremen, Northern Germany.
Special guests Dickinson College President John E. Jones III ’77 P’11 and his wife Beth Jones P’11 as well as former Dickinson College President Bill Durden ’71 and his wife Elke Durden, after whom the program was renamed in 2014 to honor their tireless support, came to Bremen to take part in the celebrations.
Sunday, June 1
President Jones and his wife spent a day exploring Bremen together with Bill and Elke Durden and Dr. Janine Ludwig, the Academic Director of the Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program since 2009.
They strolled through the historic city center and the Schnoor, Bremen’s oldest district with small, colorful houses and narrow alleyways. And, of course, they visited the famous Bremen Town Musicians.
40 years of the William G. and Elke Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program
back row, from left to right: Samantha Brandauer (Associate Provost and Executive Director of the CGSE at Dickinson), Eduard Dubbers-Albrecht (Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce Bremen), Ulf-Brün Drechsel (President of the Carl Schurz German-American Club), Dr. Harald Wilms (Secretary of the Carl Schurz German-American Club) front row, from left to right: Dr. Janine Ludwig (Academic Director of the Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program), our main speaker that evening: Dickinson College President John E. Jones III, Prof. Dr. Jutta Günther (Rector of the University of Bremen), Dr. Mandy Boehnke (University of Bremen Vice President for International Affairs, Academic Qualification, and Diversity), Jason Chue (Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Hamburg)
Thank you to all our guests and everyone who took part in the three-day celebrations. We are so grateful for our Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program Community, Friends and Supporters all around the world. ❤️
Janine Ludwig interviewing President John E. Jones III on the new US administration
Dickinson College Public Lecture – an event organized by our program, in cooperation with the University of Bremen, the Carl Schulz German-American Club, and the Amerikazentrum Hamburg. Welcome addresses delivered by Prof. Dr. Jutta Günther (Rector of the University of Bremen) and Jason Chue (Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Hamburg).
During our Vienna excursion, we had the chance to experience a special object presentation at the Austrian National Library during which we were allowed to browse through books from various centuries.
Watch our newest Youtube clip to get some impressions:
You’re invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our William G. and Elke Durden Dickinson-in-Bremen program with Dickinson alumni, faculty, staff and friends. This celebration offers a unique opportunity for reconnecting, reminiscing, networking and engaging in meaningful conversations about the importance of international experiences for our students, faculty and staff. Everyone who has any interest in the program is welcome!
During the past 40 years, more than 500 students and many colleagues have participated in the exchange program, forged valuable experiences and friendships across the Atlantic and strengthened the Dickinson College network. Please join us for one or both of the following events.
Monday, June 2 2–5 p.m. Coffee & Cake Reception University of Bremen campus Bibliothekstraße 1, Bremen
President John E. Jones ’77, P’11, and Beth Jones P’11 will attend this celebration of our 40th anniversary, along with alumni from Dickinson and the University of Bremen, current Dickinson-in-Germany students and our Bremen partners and university officials. Free
Tuesday, June 3 6 p.m. Dickinson College Public Lecture by President Jones Haus Schütting Am Markt 13, Bremen
President Jones will discuss the new U.S. administration at an event with the Carl Schurz German-American Club, Amerikazentrum Hamburg, Consul General Jason Chue, and Professor Jutta Günther, rector of the University of Bremen. A reception will follow the presentation. Free
Please register for one or both of these events by Sunday, May 4 via email: gablera@dickinson.edu.
Das German Department des Dickinson College sucht für das kommende akademische Jahr 2025/2026 eine/n engagierte/n und qualifizierte/n Gastdozent/in zur Verstärkung des German Departments.
Bei Interesse senden Sie Ihre Bewerbung bitte an Prof. Antje Pfannkuchen, Chair of the German Department, pfannkua@dickinson.edu.
At the beginning of March, we spent seven days in Vienna on our academic excursion.
At the United Nations in Vienna from left to right: Crosby, Olivia, Nina, Dr Ludwig, Delaney, Naomi, Ellen, Isabel, Walker, Makayla, Antonia
Our Full year and Spring students shared some of their impressions and favorite sights.
“The best thing about Vienna was the vast number of art and cultural museums to visit, especially with the student discount!” – Nina Grafton ’26
Gustav Klimt – der Kuss (the Kiss)
Inside the Imperial Treasury
“I really liked seeing all the beautiful architecture in Vienna, from the castles to the cathedrals. If you’re not looking up in Vienna, you’re really missing out. Furthermore, the art we got to see at the museums we visited was really special. I particularly liked the art of Gustav Klimt we got to see. And, of course, the Falco musical was a classic.” – Crosby Wilkin ’26
in front of Schönbrunn Palace: Olivia, Nina, Makayla, Delaney, Naomi, Antonia, Ellen, Walker, Isabel, Crosby
“This trip to Vienna was a great opportunity to see things that I probably wouldn’t have done if I had gone there alone. My favorite thing was definitely the Rock Me Amadeus musical because I’m already a big fan of musicals and it was a very fun way to practice my German!” – Delaney Bright ’26
Rock Me Amadeus – das Falco Musical
“Wandering through Vienna felt like I was walking through a history book of classical music. It was fascinating to see how spaces occupied by great composers are now occupied with more modern musical productions, like when we saw Rock Me Amadeus in the historical Theater Ronacher.” – Olivia Ammon ’26
“There was so much beautiful art in and out of museums, and I loved getting a peek at the fancy horses at the Spanische Hofreitschule!” – Isabel Ames ’26
historical books in the National Library
the National Library
“I liked walking around Vienna and visiting the Vienna Actionism Museum (WAM) and Leopold Museum. But my favorite part overall was visiting Bratislava and learning more about Slovakia.” – Naomi Mathewson ’26
Bratislava Castletraditional Slovak cuisine for lunchCity center of Bratislava
“Vienna is a beautiful and historically rich city; even over the course of a busy week, there are too many fascinating sights and museums to visit in one trip.” – Ellen Boldt ’26
Inside Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace
“I loved visited Vienna because it was exciting discovering the similarities and differences between German and Austrian culture.” – Makayla McCloskey ’26
“I definitely appreciated Vienna’s history the most, from medieval structures like Stephan’s Dome and crypts to more modern ones like Schönbrunn palace.” – Walker Green ’26
from left to right: Beth Jones, President John E. Jones and current Dickinson-in-Germany student Delaney Bright ©Antonia Gabler
