HWG LU welcomed almost 1,000 new students - 822 prospective bachelors and 147 prospective masters or MBA students - to Ludwigshafen at today's Freshers' Welcome (according to provisional figures). The Freshers' Welcome marks the start of Freshers' Week, which traditionally takes place one week before the regular start of lectures.
In the university auditorium, President Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller and Vice President Prof. Dr. Nina Knape welcomed the 969 new Bachelor's and Master's students (according to provisional figures) on behalf of the university. Mayor Jutta Steinruck conveyed the greetings of the city of Ludwigshafen am Rhein via video message. Student Anna-Lena Schäfer and Antonia Zwicker from University Communications then introduced the university as a whole. Liaison lecturer Prof. Dr. Birgit Angermayer conveyed her greetings and wishes for the start of the semester and representatives of the AStA and StuPA presented the fields of activity and the services offered by the General Student Committee and the Student Parliament. Matthias Krambs and Carolin Keller also presented the university's newly founded Green Office. The Diversity Department, Studierendenwerk Vorderpfalz, the university chaplaincy and the ArbeiterKind.de initiative also outlined their advisory and support programs.
Due to the large turnout, the Freshers' Welcome was also livestreamed into the foyer, the conference rooms and the auditorium.
With a view to the new phase of life, University President Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller gave the freshmen the following advice in his welcome address: "Get actively involved in this new phase of your life - at the university, in Ludwigshafen and in the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar. Studying is the perfect time to try things out and get to know new perspectives". The President went on to say that the university also supports students beyond the subject-specific aspects, e.g. through offers such as the writing lab or the AI Literacy Center. Vice President Prof. Dr. Nina Knape then swore the first-year students to the university's values, above all openness, tolerance and mutual respect. She also encouraged the first-year students to get involved in the university: "Get involved, help shape it. You are the largest group on campus, you can make a difference," encouraged the Vice President.
Following the central welcome, the first-year students were able to talk to each other over drinks and snacks or ask any questions they still had at the information stands in front of the auditorium and in the foyer in front of the library in the new building: Representatives from the four Departments as well as the Student Service Center, the International Office and the Bafög Office were on hand to answer questions. AStA, StuPa and the student council of Department I, the Equal Opportunities Coordination Office, Studierendenwerk, ArbeiterKind.de and the university chaplaincy, the university's e-sports team, the Green Office and the LeLaLu reading mentoring project were also on hand to answer any questions. Ludwigshafen's cultural institutions, initiatives and associations also introduced themselves to the new students: the State Philharmonic Orchestra, for example, the DLTG, LUnited and KinderHelden. And of course there were once again the coveted Ersti-Bags, including the city's cultural voucher booklet for all newcomers. Degree ceremonies were followed by guided tours of the campus and the new building.
The rest of the week is also dedicated to the start of studies: there are many other events for the new students at degree program and department level under the title "Freshers' Week". On Tuesday, 22.09.2025, at 9.30 a.m., the traditional welcome service will also take place in the auditorium. On Thursday, 25.09.2025, the AStA invites you to the Ersti-Get2gether in the (old) Mensa, and on 1.10.2025 the Ersti-Party will take place in the Mannheim club Tiffany.
More information for first semester students: https://www.hwg-lu.de/erstsemesterinfo
