How did the alumni association come to be twenty years ago? What was the idea behind it?

Katerina Vatsella: At the time, Wilfried Müller was university president. He cared deeply about how the university was perceived within the local community and about how the two could benefit from each other. In 2003, he established the “Rector’s Circle,” an advisory group consisting of internal and external representatives from a range of fields. As an art historian and freelance exhibition curator, I participated in this group, representing the cultural sector. Beyond strengthening the university’s ties to the community, Müller hoped that Rector’s Circle members would offer concrete support in the form of advice, ideas, projects, or financial contributions. It was in this context that he developed the idea of an alumni association operating independently of the university administration – something I was eager to help build, alongside another project I was working on. To that end, Müller brought me together with Tim Nesemann and Andreas Kottisch, our third founding member.

Tim Nesemann: Wilfried Müller approached me because he wanted someone from the business world involved in founding the alumni association. At the time, I was already serving on the board of the Sparkasse Bremen. His goal was for graduates to feel a stronger connection to the university and, eventually, to give something back. I still remember the three of us sitting together, trying to figure out which seven graduates to include in the founding, because an association needs at least seven members.

Katerina Vatsella: The university already had an alumni office that maintained a directory of graduates, which we were able to use to spread the word about the new association and invite people to our first events. Membership was free at the start. We organized our first events, and there was a real sense of excitement. It was a lot of fun! Since 2014, we have also opened membership to people who aren’t graduates, such as former employees and others with ties to the university. That inclusivity is something we feel strongly about.

What does alumni networking mean today? Has anything changed over the years?

Vatsella: After those first few events, we quickly realized that managing everything on a volunteer basis alongside our regular jobs was almost impossible – especially when it came to constantly securing new sponsors. Even in the early days, we had a number of supporting members who contributed more than the usual amount. Still, it wasn’t until 2013 that we introduced a membership fee. As we had expected, our numbers dropped sharply at first. After that, we had to work hard to raise awareness of the association and what it had to offer. Over the years, we have grown steadily, and today we have around 4,700 members, including about 100 supporting members, with more joining all the time. Of course, the work evolves with every new board – there are always fresh ideas and new initiatives taking shape.

Nesemann: Over the years, we’ve experimented with many different formats. Some were well received, others less so – such as a tea dance event that attracted only a handful of people. Building our relationship with the university community was also a process. Some faculties already had active alumni communities and needed some convincing of the value of a university-wide network. We never wanted to compete with them, and we continue to support individual faculties in running their own alumni programs to this day.

Which encounters or events stand out most in your memory?

Vatsella: One event that has really stayed with me was a speed-dating session at the Weserstadion, where alumni who spoke about their career paths were paired with interested students. I also have a particular fondness for our “Networking by, for, and with Alumni” event series, in which alumni organize after-work gatherings and share insights from their professional lives. For instance, Michael Wolff, who was on the board at the time, opened his advertising film studio for an alumni visit. I have led tours of the Kunsthalle and, as I did this year, organized events at the Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus, where I am actively involved with the Friends’ Association. These occasions offer something special: a chance to learn something new and have real conversations with one another.

Nesemann: For me, the highlight of that event series was the lecture by attorney Bernhard Docke. He spoke about the case of Murat Kurnaz and his efforts to secure Kurnaz’s release from Guantánamo. Hearing that account firsthand was genuinely spine-tingling.

There are now many digital networking platforms available. What can an alumni association offer that LinkedIn or Xing cannot?

Nesemann: Those platforms are certainly useful for staying in touch or networking within a particular industry, but they cannot foster a sense of shared identity. What connects our members is the time spent together at the University of Bremen. What we offer is closer to a class reunion.

Vatsella: Digital connections simply can’t replace in-person ones. For me, face-to-face encounters are essential and lead to the kind of genuine networking that builds both personal and professional relationships. That’s one reason why we attend not only our own events, but also graduation celebrations and events like Open Campus and the Campus Award ceremony.

Why have you been volunteering with the network for so many years?

Nesemann: I’m deeply grateful for my time as a student at the University of Bremen, and for everything I learned there. Now, I want to give something back and help keep it a place people are proud to call their university. I was born in Bremen, studied here, earned my doctorate here, and work here. My family has called Bremen home for generations. To me, the university is part of what makes this city my home.

Vatsella: Getting involved with the alumni association was a wonderful way for me to put down roots in Bremen. I was born in Greece and studied in Zurich, but I have lived in Bremen since 1990, where I earned my doctorate. I’m energized by creating things together with other people. I’d much rather get involved and make a difference than stand on the sidelines and watch.

What are your hopes for the association? Where do you see it in twenty years?

Nesemann: I hope the alumni network continues to grow and gives as many graduates as possible the chance to stay connected to their university after graduation – to keep those memories alive and to give something back.

Vatsella: I hope it keeps growing and becomes a more visible presence in the local community. I also hope that graduates continue to feel a strong connection to their university long after they’ve left and that they choose to work with us to support the university and its mission.

Become a Member and Stay Connected to the University of Bremen

The University of Bremen Alumni Network brings together graduates, current students, and staff, creating opportunities for networking and new ideas at the intersection of academia, professional practice, and society.

Annual membership is 24 euros. With a contribution of at least 100 euros per year, you can become a supporting member. Students and recent alumni are eligible for a reduced fee of 6 euros for up to three years after the end of their university enrollment. Membership fees help fund networking events and alumni projects organized by the faculties, among other things. For more information, visit the Alumni Network website.