100 years Studierendenwerk

Drum roll at Pontwall: As one of the oldest German Studierendenwerke, Studierendenwerk Aachen is looking forward to a colorful anniversary year due to its' 100^th birthday. What are we looking forward to? A special retrospective view of its' history, events and a lot of fun.

It all began in a gym
On 18 May 1920, about thousand hungry students gathered in a remodeled gym to line up for a cooked midday meal. The improvised dining room was called “Mensa academica”. It was opened by the university during the post-war period turmoil. This idea was ground-breaking. An organized support of students was unlikely to this point. It was the start of a success story. It was the beginning of today’s Studierendenwerk Aachen.

At the same time in Bonn, Münster and Dresden, Aachener Hochschule founded the first self-help organization for students that became more professional and independent throughout the decades. The organizations built dormitories, dining halls, took care of student's children and created equality of opportunity by organizing loans and later on BAföG. At the beginning the organizations were connected to the university, later on they became independent, medium-sized organizations which offered a support in all basic needs to students.

Tracking
A big birthday is on the agenda for all people at Studierendenwerk Aachen this year. How is it celebrated? “Definitely eventfully,” said Dirk Reitz, CEO. Insights into the history and a chronicle offer a little anniversary exhibition. There was no doubt about it that the exhibition would take place at the former “Haus der Studentenschaft” at Pontwall. “This place, where students come to since 1925 is just right for an exciting travel through the decades”, said Reitz. Large, chronologically ordered pictures and texts that show the moods of every single Studierendenwerk phase are to be seen.

The exhibition takes place from 27 May in the main building at Pontwall.

Interviews with contemporary witnesses
The visual review is just a small part of the exhibition. Several audio files of contemporary witnesses can be listened to. These interviews take the listener back to the time when the first dormitory opened or the dining hall meals were served by waiters in tails. Also students talk about what it is like to live in a dormitory and how life as a student basically changed. All interviews can be listened to on Youtube and on an anniversary blog.

Delicious food of the old times
All guests can look forward to four dining hall special weeks in which typical but also unusual meals from the past are served. These special weeks are not the only thing to look forward to: In 2020 the recipe competition MENSA STAR and the cooking class “cooking like the pros” belong to the anniversary theme.

Also colleagues from other facilities contribute. In the anniversary year the kids from Studierendenwerk childcare centers are going to be little reporters and report on the different facilities.

Last but not least a big employee party with great surprises for the whole family at Pontwall is taking place, so everybody gets the chance to see the exhibition.

Anniversary blog
No chance of missing one of the items on the agenda in 2020 with the upcoming anniversary page. The page as well as an event calendar keep all interested people up to date.