02 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2014! COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014 ONE UNIVERSITY ONE NETWORK

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1 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

2 02 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2014! COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014 ONE UNIVERSITY ONE NETWORK

3 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES EU Geneva Commencement Ceremony 2014 Follow us on: BLOG

4 4 DISTINGUISHED GUESTS COUNTRY EARN TWO DEGREES 1 PROGRAM 1 LOCATION 2 UNIVERSITIES DOUBLE BACHELOR S DEGREE: 7 SEMESTERS 3.5 YEARS DOUBLE MBA DEGREE: 4 TERMS 1 YEAR Diploma Hochschule is a state-recognized university of applied sciences with headquarters in Bad Sooden-Allendorf in Northern Hesse and numerous study centers throughout Germany. Students taking part in the double degree programs choose to study at one of EU s four campuses (Munich, Barcelona, Geneva and Montreux). The bachelor s program comprises three and a half years of study, spread over seven semesters. Students of the MBA program complete a one-year program over four terms. Upon completion of either program, participants graduate with both a German state-accredited degree from Diploma Hochschule and an international degree from European University Switzerland. Diploma Hochschule offers undergraduate and graduate courses in Business Administration, Media Business & Media Management, Tourism Management, Business Law, Graphic Design and Engineering. The school is able to offer the double degree program in conjunction with European University due to its expertise in flexible, crafted programs which are catered to fit their students needs. For more information please contact us at: info@euruni.edu or visit

5 EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL 3.0 EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

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7 TABLE OF CONTENTS 09 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT INFO At the beginning of each section, you will find QR codes that correspond with the commencement picture galleries. Below also find the codes for the website, blog and videos EU AWARDS BARCELONA, SPAIN Commencement Ceremony Distinguished Guests Special Awards Cocktail Reception MUNICH, GERMANY Commencement Ceremony Distinguished Guests Special Awards Cocktail Reception GENEVA & MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND Commencement Ceremony Distinguished Guests Special Awards Cocktail Reception MALAYSIA, ASIA ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN LIST OF GRADUATES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LETTER EU Today TV Events Section Websites & Blog QR codes for the videos of the various ceremonies Barcelona, Spain Munich, Germany Geneva & Montreux, Switzerland Malaysia, Asia

8 08 WELCOME EU DNA PRINCIPLES + Develop key business values for our students: RESPECT INNOVATION TRANSPARENCY TRUST LOYALTY CONFIDENCE + Faculty and staff support our students like customers + Be different, be the first, be unique + Install at EU a multicultural environment + Be open to a global business world + Sharpen and nurture curious minds + Become a networker + Become an entrepreneur/intrapreneur + Live diversity + Become a world changer ALL THIS IN A MAD CULTURE THE CULTURE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

9 WELCOME 09 WELCOME, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2014! Dear Graduates, Parents and Friends, We gather to celebrate a significant milestone for those graduating this year. All your hard work has paid off and now you can relax and enjoy yourself in the company of friends and family. The exams are over and your long days on campus have finished. Moving forward, it is all about using the knowledge you ve acquired in the classroom and applying it to wherever your path leads next. We come together as a diverse group of individuals, each with new and different ideas, beliefs and ways of life. As you move forward, realize that it is now up to you to define your own success. For this, I would like to offer you some advice that will LEAD you toward a bright future: Learn, an inactive mind is one that has gone to waste; Exemplify, the best way to communicate the right way to do things is to show people how; Act, it s better to make a timely decision with 70% of the information than a late one; Diversify, the work, and most of all, diversify the glory. Carry these humble pieces of advice around in your pocket and they will turn you into a great LEADER. Listen to; Learn from; and Love, markets, companies, employees and ultimately your career; Execute, a leader needs to walk their talk; Action with ambition, a good leader is always at the forefront of the wagon; Driven, all that you do must be results driven and people driven; Excellence, which will turn into good results; Results, if you don t make results happen, you are not a leader. Finally, I invite each of you to stay connected with your EU family through our Alumni Association as it offers an international network of business minded people, many of whom have found success. And of course, continue to challenge yourself to climb higher, achieving more with each passing year. I look forward to hearing about your journey. Yours sincerely, Dr. Dirk Craen President AT EU WE FOCUS ON STARS Special Talent Authenticity Responsibility Success EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

10 10 EU AWARDS EU AWARDS The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation was formed in 2001 and its main objective is to bring clean water and water treatment facilities to those in need worldwide. From its location in Canada s Northwest Territories, the foundation is exploring the concept of shipping ice melt via tankers to parts of the world that are in desperate need of water. It is a complex operation but they are making dramatic headway. The safety and accessibility of drinking water is a major concern throughout the world. Health risks arise from consumption of water contaminated with infectious agents, toxic chemicals and radiological hazards. Over the years, Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation has been active in the exploration and drilling of water wells in third world countries as well as the building of facilities to treat water. This is the foundation s main mission. In addition, the foundation began an initiative to give six individual awards at each of the European University annual commencement ceremonies in Spain, Switzerland and Germany. These awards recognize substantial efforts in corporate responsibility, sustainability, leadership, social responsibility, family business management and a special award to the top graduate who exemplifies innovative entrepreneurship. Chance Saint-Marché, financial director of the foundation and EU alumnus, BA 2010 and MBA 2012, speaks of the respect and dedication he and the Saint-Marché family have for European University and its student body: Today as you look to the left and to the right of where you are seated, you will come to understand what makes European University so amazing. It is not just the university president or the great faculty you have learned from, but it is us. Us is a powerful word as it represents the entire EU student body; from the beginning of the very first graduating class to today and beyond. Do not forget us, as it is us who you will come across in your business life. It is us you can call upon for that job interview or to help open a door on a business transaction. When you stumble, it will be us who will help you get back on your feet, brush you off and get you going again. In the world after EU, it is us who look down at our fellow EU alumni, extend our hands to them, and help each other get to the top of this competitive world. I wish the graduating class of 2014 only the best in the pursuit of their dreams and endeavors.

11 EU AWARDS 11 FAMILY BUSINESS This award recognizes top-performing family businesses that successfully combine tradition and innovation, as well as make a contribution to the community. These businesses make substantial contributions to the global economy and become an inspiration for other family businesses. ENTREPRENEURSHIP This award recognizes a successful graduate who has had an excellent academic record, shown entrepreneurial initiative, outstanding career prospects and demonstrated extraordinary achievements in the face of challenges or adversity. SUSTAINABILITY This award recognizes businesses or individuals that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices. Sustainability includes processes such as preventive maintenance programs like waste reduction and recycling. LEADERSHIP This award recognizes businesses or individuals that have demonstrated a commitment to leadership excellence. The award promises to acknowledge the best, brightest, most dynamic individuals and alumni that have emerged as leaders in their respective paths. CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY This award recognizes businesses or individuals that consistently make positive contributions to their communities through a clear corporate responsibility strategy. With the highest core values, these companies operate transparently and actively nurture employee development. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY This award recognizes businesses or individuals that consistently make positive contributions to the communities they serve through social responsibility. This award celebrates those who make sustainability the core of their daily practices. EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

12 12 BARCELONA, SPAIN CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BARCELONA CLASS OF 2014! Scan this QR Code to see the Barcelona ceremony pictures from your mobile device. BARCELONA, SPAIN June 14, 2014 On Saturday, June 14, over 130 students celebrated the culmination of their studies at the European University Barcelona commencement ceremony. The bright sunshine and great excitement that imbued the day gave the event a truly joyous atmosphere. Eager students gathered at the Hotel Pullman Barcelona Skipper, introduced family and friends to classmates and prepared to celebrate in style. Alistair Charles, MBA Director at EU Barcelona and the event s Master of Ceremonies, opened the proceedings and introduced the speakers for the day. Dr. Marc Guerrero, Vice- President of the Alliance of Liberals & Democrats for Europe Party, gave the commencement address, in which he talked about the importance of European cooperation. EU President, Dr. Dirk Craen then addressed the audience, proudly congratulating the students on their achievements and thanking family and friends for supporting them throughout their endeavors. He commented on some of the university s achievements of the past year and encouraged students to prioritize humanity over technology, while still highlighting the importance of the latter in the business world. Special EU distinctions were presented to inspiring pillars of the community in recognition of virtues of entrepreneurship, corporate responsibility and leadership, among others. The recipients were presented with their awards by Dr. Craen and greeted by the EU Board of Trustees. Javier Oliver,

13 BARCELONA, SPAIN 13 CLASS OF 2014 STATISTICS: Undergraduate: 68 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES 2.95 AVERAGE GPA BBA Business Administration MOST COMMON MAJOR Graduate: 41 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES 3.05 AVERAGE GPA MBA International Business MOST COMMON MAJOR Managing Director of Evolution Logistics; Brigitte Verkinderen, Director of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce; George Romanoff, Founding Partner of Romanoff & Partners; and representatives from Barcelona Turisme, Triodos Bank, Worldreader and Tupinamba Group received awards on behalf of their companies. A wonderful musical interlude provided by MBA graduate Ahmad Dyab and his guitar was followed by the much-anticipated presentation of degrees. Cameras flashed, emotions ran high and the audience clapped as one by one, students were called forward to receive their diplomas, physical representations of a lot of hard work, determination and dedication. Individual students were then presented with special awards to recognize exceptional achievements. At the undergraduate level, Francesca De Filippo Piccolo was congratulated for achieving the highest GPA, a 3.8 on a 4.0 scale, as well as completing the best thesis. MBA student Natali Sedek was then commended for her GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale, the highest of the year, and her exceptional capstone. The ceremony concluded with student speeches and a short closing by Dr. Craen. Student Board President, Nikita Olkhovskiy and representative, Mathieu Serres gave rousing speeches, in which they looked back fondly at a period of hard work, learning, good fun and friendship. EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

14 14 BARCELONA, SPAIN EARN TWO BACHELOR S DEGREES 1 PROGRAM 1 LOCATION 2 UNIVERSITIES 7 SEMESTERS 3 YEARS University of Derby (U of D) is a stateaccredited, public university located in the United Kingdom. Students can choose from almost 300 study programs that cover numerous disciplines at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The school also offers executive education through leadership development and other professional course offerings. U of D is accredited by The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education, the U.K. government agency designated for this task and one of the most rigorous state accrediting agencies in the world. It is also recognized by the National Recognition Centre (NARIC). The university has a sterling employment record, with 96.7% of graduates either employed or studying within six months after graduation, putting them in tenth position among U.K. universities. Students participating in the degree program study for seven semesters (three years) at an EU campus in either Barcelona or Munich, and complete their course with two degrees: a BBA, BA or BS from European University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Business from the University of Derby. For more information, please contact us at: info@euruni.edu or visit and

15 BARCELONA, SPAIN 15 Marc Guerrero Vice-President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party Keynote Speaker Dr. Marc Guerrero is Vice-President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE Party) and author of two books. He is a doctor cum laude in social sciences and has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Barcelona. He is also a diplomat within the European Community. Dr. Guerrero has undertaken academic studies at ESADE Business School, the University of California, Berkeley, London School of Economics and at the University of Reading. Dr. Guerrero s recent book, Rebooting Europe, was published in English in collaboration with European University. The book analyzes the history of the continent, questions its future and asks whether pushing the restart button would be the only way in which to move forward. 15 EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

16 16 BARCELONA, SPAIN Be brave, be confident, be yourself. Live your own future. Make your own decisions. Marc Guerrero

17 BARCELONA, SPAIN 17 Javier Oliver Managing Director, Evolution Logistics Family Business Award Javier Oliver started and ran his own logistics company before joining his family s freight forwarding and logistics management company, Evolution Logistics, in Based in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, he is now the company Managing Director. Throughout his career, Oliver has ensured the departments and companies he has run have performed optimally and continually achieved high operational effectiveness. He believes in creating best practice policies together with his teams. Oliver graduated from the EU Barcelona campus in 2000 and also has an MBA from the University of Dallas. He is married to a fellow EU alumna and they have three children. Joana Homs Assistant Director, Barcelona Turisme Sustainability Award Barcelona Turisme, the city s tourism board, has exemplified its ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism in the city with a sustainable tourism program. The program is designed with environmental, cultural and socio-economic aspects in mind and brings together local establishments and services. Barcelona was the first city in the world to be named a Biosphere World Class Destination, presented by the Institute of Responsible Tourism, an organization supported by UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization. Representing Barcelona Turisme at the ceremony was Joana Homs, Assistant Director. Brigitte Verkinderen Director, Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award Brigitte Verkinderen graduated with a master s degree in law from the University of Ghent. She practiced law in Belgium for 11 years through her law firm, and also consulted for several others including Tillekaerts & Partners in Ghent. A multilingual professional, Verkinderen studied Latin and Greek and now speaks seven modern languages including English, Spanish, French and Italian. She followed her years in the legal field as CEO and European Artistic Manager at A.M. Guarneri in Barcelona. In 2008, she became the Director of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (CCBLC) in Barcelona, a position she still holds today. EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

18 18 BARCELONA, SPAIN George Romanoff Founding Partner and Director of Russian & Eastern European Affairs, Romanoff & Partners Entrepreneurship Award George Romanoff worked at the European Parliament, before moving to the private sector and joining Russian mining giant, Norilsk Nickel. He soon became president of Norilsk Nickel Europe in London and Brussels and then transitioned to Chief Executive of Metal Trade Overseas, the company s main sales hub. Today, Romanoff acts as Director of Russian & Eastern European Affairs for Romanoff & Partners, of which he is a founding partner. The company was created to ensure fairness for its clients, in issues such as operating freedom, brand reputation and visibility, helping clients to enjoy market success wherever possible. Isabel Sánchez Northern Region Director, Triodos Bank Corporate Responsibility Award Triodos Bank connects savers and investors who want to change the world for better, with entrepreneurs and sustainable companies doing just that. The company has developed clear strategies to practice corporate responsibility in various fields. Triodos is continuously implementing measures to reduce its energy consumption. In addition to its environmental initiatives, Triodos believes in complete economic transparency: sustainable banking depends on trust. Representing Triodos Bank at the ceremony was Isabel Sánchez, Northern Region Director. Periša Ražnatovic Mobile Platform Manager, Worldreader Social Responsibility Award Worldreader is a global, nonprofit organization that aims to put a library of digital books in the hands of children and families across the world. It was founded in 2010 by former Microsoft and Amazon executive, David Risher, and former Marketing Director at Barcelona s ESADE Business School, Colin McElwee. Worldreader works with device manufacturers, publishers, governments, education officials and local communities to coordinate and deliver its programs. Representing Worldreader at the ceremony was Periša Ražnatovic, Mobile Platform Manager.

19 BARCELONA, SPAIN 19 SPECIAL AWARDS EU awards students and faculty who are committed to education both inside and outside the classroom. Francesca De Filippo Piccolo Best Bachelor's Student Best Bachelor's Thesis Italy/Venezuela Natali Sedek Best MBA Student Best MBA Capstone Sweden Andrew Ward Best Professor Prince Fellow Award STUDENT BOARD SPECIAL AWARDS Christine Clarke Prince Fellow Award for 20 years of dedication to EU Eduard Ferregüela Purchasing and IT Manager, Tupinamba Innovation and Family Business Awards The Tupinamba Group, a family-owned company founded in Barcelona in 1897, roasts and sells coffee exclusively for hotel, restaurant and catering companies all over Spain. In 2012, the company had around 6,000 clients, handled 3.5 million kilograms of coffee and reported an 18 million turnover. Tupinamba s current IT infrastructure has provided it with greater speed in accessing data and higher application efficiency. A prime example of such innovation paying off is the company s more timesaving invoicing process. Representing Tupinamba at the ceremony was Eduard Ferregüela, Purchasing and IT Manager. Nikita Olkhovskiy Prince Fellow Award Russia Daniel Tomaev Prince Fellow Award Russia Alexander Bazhanov Prince Fellow Award Russia Adrian Josef Schier Prince Fellow Award Germany Ester González Puy Prince Fellow Award Spain EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

20 20 BARCELONA, SPAIN WE ARE DIFFERENT WE ARE FLEXIBLE WE ARE GLOBAL

21 BARCELONA, SPAIN 21 We have been taught to work successfully in a team. This is one of the most important aspects of our future professional life. We learned how to trust each other, assess each other s capabilities, how to overcome cultural differences and properly allocate responsibility. Nikita Olkhovskiy EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

22 22 BARCELONA, SPAIN

23 BARCELONA, SPAIN 23 All of us will go home with something much more than just a diploma. Mathieu Serres EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

24 24 BARCELONA, SPAIN COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT HOTEL PULLMAN BARCELONA SKIPPER Celebrations continued after the ceremony, as students and invited guests stepped out onto the terrace for cava and canapés. A two-piece jazz band by the pool added an air of relaxed elegance to the proceedings, as congratulations were exchanged, photos were taken and memories were made.

25 BARCELONA, SPAIN 25 EU IS MUCH MORE THAN A UNIVERSITY IT IS A NETWORK EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

26 26 MUNICH, GERMANY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MUNICH CLASS OF 2014! Scan this QR Code to see the Munich ceremony pictures on your mobile device. MUNICH, GERMANY June 20, 2014 On Friday, June 20, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, young and promising members of the European University community made the transition from students to alumni. The day was a wonderful success during which the graduates, their proud families and an esteemed group of guests celebrated together and shared an unforgettable day. Dean Sascha Liebhardt, who took on his annual role as Master of Ceremonies, proudly introduced keynote speaker, former President of Switzerland, Dr. Adolf Ogi. A regular guest speaker at EU events, Ogi reminded students how important education is and how success is dependent on it. He walked them through their role, which he believes, is one of leadership and responsibility. EU president, Dr. Craen addressed the audience next, and was keen to congratulate all those students present. He also gave his thanks to the parents, partners and other family members for their support throughout the students careers. He told them that his door was always open for students who wanted to come back and share their experiences or ask for advice. In line with its values and its teachings, this year EU Munich recognized several members of the business community: online media company, Crossvertise was acknowledged with the Entrepreneurship Award; Therme Erding, a large spa complex in the area, was given the Leadership Award; and Circus Krone, a third-generation family circus, was awarded the Family Business Award. The Corporate Responsibility Award was presented to drugstore chain dmdrogerie markt; the Social Responsibility Award, along with a generous donation, was

27 MUNICH, GERMANY 27 CLASS OF 2014 STATISTICS: Undergraduate: 36 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES 2.93 AVERAGE GPA BBA Business Administration MOST COMMON MAJOR Graduate: 27 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES 3.5 AVERAGE GPA MBA International Business MOST COMMON MAJOR presented to the Münchner Tafel charity which takes care of food need for those who don t have any; and this year s Sustainability Award to Giesinger Bräu, a local brewery whose practices follow the Reinheitsgebot or German Beer Purity Law. Each of the recipients was presented their award and greeted by the EU Board of Trustees. Then, one by one, students were called to cross the stage. Over 100 graduates, representing over 50 different nationalities, were recognized for their achievements, to rapturous applause from friends and family in the audience. Business Finance undergraduate, Albanian student, Ermir Shkurti, was presented with two awards, recognizing two of his exceptional achievements: the highest GPA in the year and the best thesis. MBA Global Banking & Finance student Agi Josandra from Indonesia was then congratulated for his triumphant GPA and Azerbaijani student Kubra Karimova, who majored in entrepreneurship, praised for her outstanding capstone. The Student Board members of this year were thanked for their hard work and Professor Michael Epping celebrated as the best professor of the year, as voted for by students! The biggest highlight of the evening was Shkurti s inspiring valedictorian speech. He demonstrated a great grasp on his generation s pulse, attitude and lifestyle; he concluded it by taking a selfie with all the audience behind him. Dr. Craen then walked up to the stage, still smiling from Shkurti s speech, to welcome the new graduates officially, and each one moved their tassel to the left with great delight. EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

28 28 MUNICH, GERMANY 100 years Magic in the Mountains 3780 Gstaad - Switzerland Phone: info@palace.ch -

29 MUNICH, GERMANY 29 Adolf Ogi Former President of Switzerland Keynote Speaker Born in the Swiss village of Kandersteg, Dr. h.c. Adolf Ogi completed his studies at Switzerland s Ecole Supérieure de Commerce and London s Swiss Mercantile School. He was elected as a representative for the canton of Bern at the Swiss National Council in He was a key player in departments including the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. He became President of the Swiss Confederation in 1993 and 2000 and then was appointed as Under-SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sport for Development and Peace in He currently focuses on humanitarian and charitable organizations such as Freude Herrscht, created in honor of his late son Mathias Ogi. EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

30 30 MUNICH, GERMANY BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD

31 MUNICH, GERMANY 31 Maximilian Balbach Founding Partner & CEO, Crossvertise Entrepreneurship Award Crossvertise, recently named Germany s Hottest Technology Company, simplifies the complicated commercial communication process of the 21 st century. Crossvertise s platform consolidates multiple mediums, allowing businesses to create entire campaigns from one place. From Crossvertise s online platform, clients can book 12,000 print, 500 radio, 400 TV, 160,000 billboard, 6,000 mobile, 100,000 online and 4,800 cinema advertising channels. The three founders Völcker, Balbach and Masek met at university while working for the student consultancy network. Representing Crossvertise at the ceremony was Maximilian Balbach, Founding Partner and CEO. Uwe Barth General Manager, Therme Erding Leadership Award Therme Erding, the largest thermal bath complex in Europe, welcomes roughly 4,000 visitors every day. The mini thermal bath complex was founded in 1983, when American oil company, Texaco, discovered a sulfurous water source during drilling. Today the venue covers 145,000 square meters, including Saunaparadies, the largest sauna complex in the world. Uwe Barth, who has been part of the company from the beginning, attributes his success to taking the time to understand the customers wishes and expectations something he picked up while working as an architect. This leadership attitude has placed Therme Erding on the Bayern s Best 50 list three times in a row. Representing Therme Erding at the ceremony was Uwe Barth, General Manager. Markus Strobl Marketing Director, Circus Krone Family Business Award Circus Krone, originally founded in 1905 by Carl Krone as an animal exhibition, has grown to be one of the largest circuses in Europe and one of the few in Western Europe to occupy a permanent building (Circus Krone Building). After Carl, the circus was run by his daughter Frieda Sembach-Krone and her husband Carl Sembach-Krone. Since 1995, their daughter Christel Sembach-Krone has run the family s business.the business s longevity and continued success have been attributed to its entrepreneurial spirit, its love of animals and its absolute seriousness. Representing Circus Krone at the ceremony was Markus Strobl, Marketing Director. EU COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2014

32 32 MUNICH, GERMANY Erich Harsch CEO of dm-drogerie markt Corporate Responsibility Award Dm-drogerie markt is a chain of retail stores that sells cosmetics, healthcare and household products, as well as health food. It was founded in 1973 in Karlsruhe, Germany by Götz W. Werner. Today, what was once a single storefront represents Europe s largest drugstore chain with over 49,000 employees and 7.69 billion in annual turnover. The company prides itself on its flat hierarchical structure and social commitment. Werner s fundamental focus throughout his entrepreneurial endeavor was the wellbeing of his employees and that paradigm continues today. Staff have a consistent dialogue with the company s management. Representing dm-drogerie markt at the ceremony was Erich Harsch, CEO. Wolfgang Schubert Finance Director, Münchner Tafel Social Responsibility Award Münchner Tafel was founded in 1994 as one of the first food missions in Germany. The organization now supplies food to nearly 85 social institutions in Munich, including women s shelters, drug rehabilitation centers, residential communities for the mentally ill and schools that support underserved students. The organization has 500 volunteers and 152 corporate sponsors. The organization also supports the reintegration of people who have been unemployed long-term back into the work force. Representing Münchner Tafel at the ceremony was Wolfgang Schubert, Finance Director. Steffen Marx Founder & Owner, Giesinger Bräu Sustainability Award Steffen Marx entered the Munich beer brewing scene in He developed a beer that reflects the city s attitude toward the drink, based on the traditional Bavarian Beer Purity Law. Marx, founder and owner of Giesinger Bräu brewery, is proud that his production site is in harmony with the environment. The brewery s ingredients are natural, its hops come from the famous Hallertau region, north of Munich and the beer is not industrially treated, ensuring that all the healthy components are kept. The founder s vision incorporates the traditional values of economic and environmental sustainability. Representing Giesinger Bräu at the ceremony was Steffen Marx, Founder & Owner.