WW Summer Party 2025 – a retrospective
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Department of Materials Science held its annual summer party.
In addition, a special anniversary was celebrated: The Department of Materials Science is turning 60 this year.
Department spokesperson Prof. Dr. Mathias Göken gave the opening remarks, followed by Prof. Dr. Kai Willner, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, who also warmly welcomed the guests to this special occasion.
The first keynote speech on the topic of “Development of novel high-temperature-resistant, oxidation-resistant refractory alloys” was given this year by an FAU alumnus who himself earned his doctorate at the Chair of General Materials Properties, Prof. Dr. Martin Heilmaier from KIT.
The second lecture was a journey through 60 years of Materials Science in Erlangen, given by department spokesperson Prof. Göken.
Awarding of prizes for outstanding academic achievements
MWT bachelor’s students Charlotte Weiß, Jana Birner, Benjamin Gräbner, and Gabriel Travitzky each received a Semikron study award this year, which was presented by Ms. Oberndörfer and Clemens Vennebusch, also a graduate of the Materials Science and Engineering program at FAU.
Prof. Dr. Peter Weidinger presented the Brose Awards to master’s students Michelle Randow and Laura Sophie Dreyer for their outstanding academic achievements. The prize money is tied to a planned stay abroad, which the two students expect to spend in Norway and Spain, respectively.
The department prizes were awarded by Prof. Göken. Ali Elkholey received the prize for the best bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree prizes were awarded to students Anna-Lena Heß and Johannes Böhmer. Last but not least, Dr. Zoya Hadzhieva, Dr. Andreas Betzold, Dr. Henrik Gaß, and Dr. Benjamin Wahlmann were honored with prizes for their outstanding doctoral theses.
After a champagne reception, the WW summer party took place in the shade of the trees, accompanied by live music. The hard-working student council helpers, with occasional support from professors and scientists, provided guests with drinks and delicious barbecue food.
Impressions of the summer party 2025
