The Kepler Society extended an invitation to JKU alumni to attend the annual New Year's Reception last Thursday evening. JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas, Gerhard Stürmer (Kepler Society president) and Florian Mayer, the new managing director welcomed many locally prominent guests, including representatives and guests from the local business community and the Upper Austrian government.

During his opening remarks, Gerhard Stürmer emphasized: "The Kepler Society is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. There is no better time to realign ourselves, break new ground, and strengthen our relationship to the JKU."  The Kepler Society was pleased to welcome university representatives along with university councilor Kornelia Waitz-Ramsauer, Leo Jindrak (VP of the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber), and politicians such as Paul Rübig.

Before the social part of the evening, Science Slam state champion and JKU researcher Nikolaus Doppelhammer showed guests just how science that is seemingly complicated science can be explained in a very simple, entertaining way. Confetti, a strainer, magnets and a great sense of humor helped to explain the "Art of Atomic Sieving".

Rector Meinhard Lukas spoke about the past year and looked ahead to the future. He thanked Alexander Freischlager for managing the Kepler Society on an interim basis and wished the new managing director, Florian Mayer, all the best for the coming year. Rector Lukas added: "Graduates are of the utmost importance when it comes to a university’s identity. They are the best ambassadors to attest to the quality of our academic programs."

Florian Mayer is the new Managing Director of the Johannes Kepler University’s Alumni Association
Florian Mayer (30), a JKU law graduate, has many years of professional experience in graduate support and will manage the Kepler Society. Dr. Gerhard Stürmer will remain the President of the Kepler Society for another term.

Mayer outlined his plans for the future of the Kepler Society: "It is important to us to be able to provide Johannes Kepler University alumni strong support services after graduation and continue enhancing their experiences and professional qualifications in a university context." Kepler Society President Dr. Gerhard Stürmer believes Florian Mayer is highly qualified for the position and added: "His job will include implementing new strategies to support JKU alumni, especially new strategies drafted together with experts last year.”

JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas reiterated that a successful alumni association is an integral part of the university. "The university’s full understanding of society is very important to us. And this also means providing our students with information on how their professional lives and careers will begin after graduation. On one hand, we want JKU alumni to understand that for us, they remain an important part of the university. Just as we are noted in your CV, your future actions, professional career and social actions also impact the Johannes Kepler University."

On behalf of the JKU and the Kepler Society, Rector Meinhard Lukas thanked Alexander Freischlager for his service managing the Kepler Society last year on an interim basis.