Fachhochschule Dortmund mourns the loss of former Rector Prof. Gerald Koeniger, who passed away on December 8, 2023 at the age of 84. Gerald Koeniger led the university from 1979 to 1989 and remained closely associated with it until his death.
Gerald Koeniger accompanied and significantly shaped the development of Fachhochschule Dortmund for almost five decades. Colleagues and companions appreciated the friendly cooperation, his open manner, his foresight and his striving for consensus. "He was a mediator. Not someone who was too sharp," says Guido Baranowski, Chairman of the Fachhochschule Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts Council. Prof. Koeniger was a member of this body until 2018. "Gerald Koeniger was always dedicated to the Fachhochschule Dortmund in his work," says Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel, Rector of the Fachhochschule Dortmund. "I got to know him as an active member of the board of the Fördergesellschaft. I will always remember his positive and winning manner."
At the age of 32, Gerald Koeniger was appointed Professor of Media Studies at the Faculty of Design of the then newly founded Fachhochschule Dortmund. It was a time of upheaval and restructuring. Design and Architecture had just been split into two faculties. In an interview to mark the 50th anniversary of Fachhochschule Dortmund, Gerald Koeniger recalled that there wasn't even a library at the Faculty of Design in 1972: "The books were either in the lecturers' offices or at the lecturers' homes - without a lending system. Nobody knew which books even existed." The establishment of a departmental library was one of the first projects that Prof. Koeniger took on. Today, the design library has almost 25,000 books in its collection.
His time as Rector of the UAS was also formative. He shaped the rectorate as it still exists today - with the rector, chancellor and vice-rectors as a joint decision-making body. The number of students doubled to more than 8,500 during his tenure. He was also instrumental in promoting international cooperation. Shortly before the end of his term of office, the first international study program "International Business" was launched in 1988.
Impact beyond Fachhochschule Dortmund
Prof. Koeniger was Chairman of the NRW Rectors' Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences, Vice President of the German Rectors' Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences and a member of the Senate of the West German Rectors' Conference. He was not only active in NRW, but also in Baden-Württemberg, where he was involved in the development and regional distribution of universities of applied sciences in the "Fachhochschule 2000" commission from 1988.
From 1991 to 1995, Gerald Koeniger made recommendations on structure and locations in the new federal states on the Science Council's "Design/Gestaltung" committee and on the Brandenburg State Commission for Universities of Applied Sciences. He was a member of the founding senate of the FH Potsdam and established the Faculty of Design there. As a member of the selection committee for the promotion of partnerships with Eastern Germany, he was involved in the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) from 1992 to 2002.
Over the years, Gerald Koeniger has gained extensive knowledge and experience in university policy and university management. "It was precisely this experience that Gerald used to help me a great deal as founding president in setting up the Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences and Arts," recalls Prof. Dr. Eberhard Menzel, Rector of Fachhochschule Dortmund from 2002 to 2009. "He was interested in the development of this university, always willing to talk and help and was able to give me valuable advice on internal and external university challenges. I will very much miss our discussions, including in the Dortmund Heads of Authorities Circle and in the Dortmund Tremonia Lions Club, especially when we sold mulled wine at the Christmas market," said Prof. Menzel.
From 1989, Gerald Koeniger once again devoted himself fully to teaching at the Faculty of Design and remained at the university as a lecturer even after his retirement in 2005. "He was a living film encyclopaedia," recalls Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Kottmann, who succeeded him as Rector of Fachhochschule Dortmund in 1989. "His semester abroad took him to the USA for research purposes. There he enjoyed the films that were rarely shown in Germany." The former rector was also in close contact with Gerald Koeniger in his private life. "He was sporty into old age, feared as a footballer and the sailing trips he took with his family in the Mediterranean were a popular topic in private circles," says Prof. Kottmann.
Prof. Dirk Gebhardt, Dean of the Faculty of DesignFor me personally, this was the most difficult farewell I have had to say to a lecturer as dean.
At the Faculty of Design, Gerald Koeniger was appreciated by students and lecturers alike for his conciliatory personality, his never-ending expertise and his empathetic teaching methods. Prof. Dirk Gebhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Design, vividly recalls how, as a UAS student, he was enlightened by Prof. Koeniger about the staging strategies of Louis XIV. And the day when Gerald Koeniger finally vacated his office at Fachhochschule Dortmund during the pandemic. "For me personally, it was the hardest farewell to a lecturer that I had to make as Dean," says Prof. Gebhardt.
Member of the first university council of the university of applied sciences
Parallel to his teaching activities, Prof. Koeniger was also involved in the Fachhochschule Dortmund's first University Council as Deputy Chairman from 2008. On this committee, he accompanied the major study reform to Bachelor's and Master's degrees and campaigned for a differentiation of the study programs with a tailor-made offer for professional practice. After two terms in office, he stepped down from the University Council in 2018. "I got to know Gerald Koeniger as a member of the University Council. He accompanied us in this office for ten years," says Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Schick, Rector of Fachhochschule Dortmund from 2009 to 2023. "His support was always of great importance to me, his contributions wise and balanced. Togetherness at the university was always particularly important to him."
Colleagues, staff and alumni of the Faculty of Design and the entire Fachhochschule Dortmund are deeply touched by the news of his death. Their condolences go out to Prof. Gerald Koeniger's family.