Festive atmosphere on the Hönggerberg campus
In 2022, the Executive Board’s traditional Christmas reception could finally take place in person again after a two-year break. This time, ETH community members closed out the year together on the H?nggerberg campus.
The festively decorated foyer of the HPH building on the H?nggerberg campus was once again the perfect place for a celebration. Jo?l Mesot expressed his thanks to the approximately 1,300 guests for their tremendous commitment over a difficult year.
Mesot looked back at 2022 as a year of regaining freedoms, for instance to travel, as well as a year of returning to normal working life. At the same time, it was marked by multiple crises that challenged Switzerland and the world – with consequences for ETH Zurich as well. But the university delivers, he said, including and especially in times of crisis: whether it’s assessments of the Ukraine war or providing policy advice on the energy and climate crisis, the expertise of ETH researchers is in greater demand than ever before. “People are rightly proud of their ETH,” he said.
Bidding farewell to the Vice President for Research
The reception also included a farewell ceremony. After eight years, Detlef Günther is leaving his post as Vice President for Research in order to devote himself once again to his own research. The ETH Board has appointed Christian Wolfrum as Vice President for Research at ETH Zurich effective 1 January 2023 (see ETH news form 8.12.2022).
In a video shown at the reception, the incumbent Vice President symbolically passes the baton to his successor. Instead of a baton, however, it’s a crystal: Günther explained the symbolism of this by saying that, like quartz, ETH has some rough edges, but expects a lot of cutting-edge research and transparency. He hoped his successor will be able to maintain a clear overview while also thoroughly enjoying his new role.
The departing Vice President then left the stage to perform a very special task: serving his favourite drink to all who wanted to thank him personally. Afterwards, everyone toasted to joint projects and shared successes.
More impressions from the Christmas reception
Always up to date
Would you like to always receive the most important internal information and news from ETH Zurich? Then subscribe to the "internal news" newsletter and visit Staffnet, the information portal for ETH employees.