Back to the Origins: Schiller University Alumni Reunion in Heidelberg Celebrates 60th Anniversary

It was a sunny weekend in late September when alumni, staff, and faculty from Schiller University gathered to celebrate the American university’s 60th anniversary, not far from where it all began, in the historic city of Heidelberg.

A Memorable Three-Day Celebration

The three-day celebration featured a welcome cocktail, panel discussions at Schiller's campus with distinguished speakers and alumni, a dinner at Königstuhl Hotel, and a special visit to Schiller’s original campus, the iconic Schloss Kleiningersheim.

Alumni from Around the World Reunite

Alumni from Croatia, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Serbia, France, Albania, the U.S., and Spain, among other nationalities, reunited to celebrate their shared history and the educational experiences that shaped their lives. They were welcomed by Schiller President and CEO Dr. Marta Muñiz, Chief Communications Officer Carmen Gomez Menor, and Campus Director Sanja Stevic, along with members of the local teams and faculty, and enthusiastic volunteer students.

A Visit to Schiller's Historic First Campus

The highlight of the trip was the visit to Schiller's first-ever campus, the beautiful Schloss Kleiningersheim, guided by none other than the sons of Schiller's founder, Dr. Walter Leibrecht—Thomas and Harald Leibrecht—accompanied by their wives, Uli and Ute. They shared heartfelt memories of growing up in a family deeply influenced by their father’s pioneering vision of global education and intercultural understanding, as well as anecdotes of those first students who travelled to the small town of Kleiningersheim. The historic campus remains as inspiring as when the first American students arrived in 1964 for their year abroad, experiencing an initial cultural shock that soon gave way to the transformative benefits of living and learning in a truly international environment. The visit was concluded by lunch arranged by the third generation of Leibrecht, grandchildren Christoph and Philipp and chef Klaus Schmidt, who run the Hotel am Markt in Besigheim nearby.

Campus Sessions and Reflections on Schiller’s Legacy

The celebration also included a series of sessions at the campus, such as one on artificial intelligence and the future of work by Dr. Maria Barros Weiss from IONOS and Albert Segura from CareerOS; testimonials from alumni Pavle Jankovic from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and Belen Franco, from Google; and a conversation between former Director of Admissions Carlos Lizardi and Thomas and Harald Leibrecht, reflecting on Dr. Walter Leibrecht’s vision and legacy for the Schiller community.

Saturday Night Festivities

Saturday night culminated with alumni reconnecting over dinner, dancing, and drinks at Königstuhl Hotel, as they enjoyed breathtaking views of the beautiful city of Heidelberg.

A Culmination of 60th Anniversary Celebrations

This celebration marks the culmination of a series of alumni gatherings organized by Schiller to commemorate its 60th anniversary, following the event held in Madrid this past June. Schiller President Marta Muñiz expressed: “As we look to the future, we couldn't be prouder of our alumni community, who embody the core values of cultural understanding, ethics, and excellence upon which Schiller was founded.”