The history of Trier University

Foto: © Stadtarchiv Trier, Bildsammlung I, Nr. 98/20
1972: Cafeteria am Standort Schneidershof
Foto: © Stadtarchiv Trier, Bildsammlung I, Nr. 98/20
1976: Bau des AB-Gebäudes
1976: Bau des AB-Gebäudes
1985: Tag der offenen Tür in der Psychologie
1985: Tag der offenen Tür in der Psychologie
1985: Gesamtansicht der Uni von oben
1985: Gesamtansicht der Uni von oben
1989: Eingang AB-Gebäude im Oktober
1989: Eingang AB-Gebäude im Oktober
1994: Studis auf der Forumsplatte
1994: Studis auf der Forumsplatte
1997: Bibliothek Gebäude BZ
1997: Bibliothek Gebäude BZ
2001: AB-Cafe
2001: AB-Cafe
2001: Vorlesung im alten Audimax
2001: Vorlesung im alten Audimax
2018: neue Audimax
2018: neue Audimax

Before its re-establishment in 1970, there had already once been a university in Trier. Founded in 1473 as a ‘higher school’, 120 students were enrolled at the academic institution in the early years. However, the turmoil of the French Revolution put an end to this institution: under French occupation, the university was closed in 1798 after 325 years of existence. Three information pillars in front of historic buildings in Trier city centre tell the story of the old university.

Trier then had to wait until 1970 for the return of a university, which was established in the form of the Trier-Kaiserslautern dual university. The first lecture was held on 15 October 1970. 356 young people began their studies at one of the three Faculties in Trier. 27 professors and 30 lecturers were busy establishing teaching and research at the new university. The students were treated to free theatre tickets and a free meal in the canteen.

The unusual construction of the joined university was designed in such a way that there would ultimately be two independent universities. The split was finalised in 1975 and both Trier University and the Kaiserslautern University became independent.

The wild 1970s: A new university is born

The unusual structure of the Trier-Kaiserslautern dual university enabled a swift foundation in 1970. The infrastructure in both Trier and Kaiserslautern was sufficient for a partial university, but not for a full university. The Faculty of Humanities was established in Trier, the Faculty of Science in Kaiserslautern. As early as 1975, the dual university was dissolved and two independent universities were established at the two locations.

The Founding Decade

  • 1970
    Start of the first semester at Trier-Kaiserslautern University: 356 students enrol in three Faculties:
    Faculty I (Education, Philosophy, Psychology)
    Department II (English Studies, German Studies, Classical Philology, Romance Studies)
    Department III (Geography, History, Sociology, Political Science)
  • 1972
    Prof Dr Helmut Erhardt is elected the first President of Trier-Kaiserslautern University. Prof Dr Arnd Morkel becomes Vice President at the Trier site.
    The computer centre begins operations at the Schneidershof site in Trier with a data station connection to the large computer system TR440 in Kaiserslautern.
     
  • 1973
    The 500th anniversary of the founding of the original Trier University (1473-1798) is celebrated.
    The new Trier canteen Schneidershof with 705 seats is completed.
  • 1975
    The Trier-Kaiserslautern University is separated, creating Trier University and Kaiserslautern University.
    Prof Dr Arnd Morkel becomes the first President of the independent Trier University, Prof Dr Bernhard König becomes Vice President.
    The foundation stone for the university campus is laid on the Tarforst Plateau.
    Economics and Sociology, which were separated from Faculty III, form the core of the new Faculty IV together with the new Department of Law.
     
  • 1977
    After completion of the first construction phase of the campus, Faculty I - III and the library move into Faculty Building A/B in March
    Faculty V is newly established for Law.
     
  • 1978
    The university library is completed and opened.
    The canteen is initially set up in the basement of the library.
     
  • 1979
    The subject of Art History is added to the University's range of programmes for the first time in the winter semester.

The 1980s: The university grows and grows

Trier University was not spared the nationwide trend of declining student numbers at the end of the 1970s. It solved the question of its existence by setting up new degree programmes in the following decade, which were very well received. In the winter semester of 1980/81, more than 4,000 students were enrolled for the first time, ten years later it was already over 10,000. The campus on the Tarforster Höhe grew along with this demand.

Growth of Trier University in the 1980s

  • 1980
    The subjects Sinology and Slavic Studies, Applied Mathematics and Business Mathematics are established.
    Prof Dr Karl Eibl becomes Vice President.
  • 1981
    The subject Ethnology is created.
    The first student hall of residence with 200 places is inaugurated on the university campus.
    A new degree programme is developed with Linguistic Data Processing.

  • 1982
    Papyrology is added, complementing the range of minor subjects at the university.
    Prof Dr Bernhard König becomes Vice President again.
     
  • 1983
    The ‘Institute for Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Community’ (IAAEG) is founded.
    Tourism Geography and Applied Physical Geography are added to the range of degree programmes.
  • 1984
    The subject Contemporary Japanese Studies is established.
    The university's computer centre moves into temporary quarters in the V building on campus.
     
  • 1985
    The D building for Psychology is completed.
    The subject Phonetics is newly established.
    The University Computer Centre Trier (URT), which until then had been legally run as a branch of the Regional University Computer Centre Kaiserslautern, becomes independent.
    With Prof Dr Jörg Hasler and Prof Dr Hans Braun, the University has two Vice Presidents for the first time.
  • 1987
    Prof Dr Jörg Hasler takes over the office of University President from Prof Dr Arnd Morkel. Prof Dr Lothar Schmidt becomes the new Vice-President.

  • 1988  
    The new canteen and the Auditorium Maximum, the largest lecture theatre, are opened.
    After the first employees at the ‘Central Office for Psychological Information and Documentation’ (ZPID) started work in 1972, ZPID becomes the ‘Central Scientific Facility’ of Trier University.
     
  • 1989
    The subject Computer Science is newly established.

Arriving in the 1990s: The university celebrates its first major anniversary

25 years of existence and a world first with the TUNIKA student ID card: Trier University makes a name for itself. At the same time, it continues to grow and new subjects, degree programmes and partnerships are still being created.

The 1990s at Trier University

  • 1990
    The Graduate Research Training Group ‘Social Security in Open Industrial Societies’ is established.
    A professorship for Yiddish Studies is established.
    A further 133 places in halls of residence are made available on campus.
     
  • 1991
    The ‘student house’ is completed, the AStA and the Studierendenwerk move into their new offices.
    The DM third-party funding building is completed in the summer.
    The E-building can be occupied in the winter semester 1991/92.
    Prof Dr Hans-Heiner Kühne becomes Vice President.
     
  • 1992
    The Faculty of Theology is given offices on the university campus.
    The student residence ‘Kleeburger Weg’ is completed.
     
  • 1993
    The University takes over the high-rise wing of the former French military hospital André Genet. The building is initially used as a hall of residence for students and is later converted into Campus II for the Geosciences and a lecture theatre centre with seminar rooms.
    Prof Dr Günter Holtus becomes Vice President.
     
  • 1994
    Prof Dr Rainer Hettich is elected to succeed Prof Dr Jörg Hasler as President of the University.
    The Departments of Geomathematics, Climatology and Spatial Development (Department VI) are founded.
     
  • 1995
    The University celebrates its 25th anniversary in November.
    The Environmental Science degree programme is established.
    Prof Dr Peter Schwenkmezger and Prof Dr Roland Baumhauer become Vice Presidents.
     
  • 1996
    The new teacher training programme in Mathematics is introduced.
    The Institute for SME Economics (INMIT) is founded.
     
  • 1997
    The new electronic student ID TUNIKA in chip card format combines ID and money functions.
    In the winter semester, the new subject of Media Studies can be studied for the first time.
    The ‘Centre for Psychological Information and Documentation’ (ZPID) becomes a founding member of the Leibniz Association.
     
  • 1998
    The historian Prof Dr Helga Schnabel-Schüle becomes the University's first female Vice-President.
     
  • 1999
    The expansion of Campus II will create a further 1100 study places.
    The Collaborative Research Centre ‘Environment and Region - Environmental Analysis and Environmental Management Strategies for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas’ is established.

A new millennium: the 2000s

Digitalisation continues: students can now enrol online, the first lecture is posted on the Internet. The Federal Chancellor visits the campus and the university takes part in the State Garden Show. The new millennium gets off to an exciting start.

The new millennium at Trier University

  • 2000
    Prof Dr Peter Schwenkmezger becomes the new President of Trier University.
    Online enrolment is introduced.
     
  • 2001
    Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visits Trier University.
    Chancellor Ignaz Bender retires.
    Lectures in Computer Science are broadcast live on the Internet as TeleTeaching for the first time.
     
  • 2002
    Vice President Prof Dr Helga Schnabel-Schüle hands over her office to her successor Prof Dr Georg Wöhrle.
    Trier University is the first university in Germany to receive the ‘family-friendly university audit’.
     
  • 2003
    Prof Dr Michael Jäckel becomes Vice President for Budget, IT and Library Affairs.
    The new lecture hall centre on Campus II and the student residence on Petrisberg are opened.
     
  • 2004
    The University participates in the State Garden Show in Trier with numerous activities.
    A children's university is offered for the first time.
    Trier Student Union celebrates its 30th anniversary.
     
  • 2005
    Prof Dr Peter Schwenkmezger is re-elected President of the University.
    New Centre for Teacher Training is founded at the University.
     
  • 2006
    Prof Dr Wolfgang Klooß becomes the new Vice President.
    Dr Klaus Hembach becomes Chancellor of the University.
    Prof Dr Michael Jäckel is elected for a second term as Vice President.
     
  • 2007
    The Year of the Humanities is celebrated at the University
    The research training group ‘Improvement and standardisation and application of standards in integrated environmental protection through legal and scientific cooperation’ is established.
     
  • 2008
    Opening of the Confucius Institute at the University.
    First Science Night at the University.
     
  • 2009
    The new Building P on Campus I is inaugurated.
    University research networks present their work at ‘Research in Focus’.

The 2010s: networking with the region

At the beginning of the decade, the number of students reaches its highest level to date at 15,280. The first Bachelor's degree certificate is awarded and the university's first Leibniz Prize winner is celebrated.

The 2010s

  • 2010
    Prof Dr Joachim Hill becomes the new Vice President for Research, Teaching and International Relations.
    The first Bachelor degree student graduates from Trier University.
    The new building N is inaugurated.
     
  • 2011
    Prof Dr Michael Jäckel replaces Prof Dr Schwenkmezger as President of Trier University.
    The Argentinian conductor Mariano Chiacchiarini leads the Collegium Musicum.
    Prof Dr Thomas Raab becomes Vice President. He is responsible for budget, library and IT matters.
     
  • 2012
    The university and the University of Applied Sciences jointly set up a start-up office for students, academics and alumni.
    The first City Campus / Science Night is held in the city centre.
    Prof Dr Lutz Raphael becomes the University's first Leibniz Prize winner.
     
  • 2013
    The International Research Training Group ‘Diversity’ is established.
    On the initiative of the University, institutions from science, business, politics and society found the Trier Science Alliance.
    The Leibniz Centre for Psychological Information and Documentation (ZPID) becomes a legally independent institution of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It continues to be based at the University of Trier, with which it cooperates scientifically.
     
  • 2014
    The economist Prof Dr Georg Müller-Fürstenberger is elected Vice President for Research and Infrastructure by the Senate.
    Dr Ulrike Graßnick succeeds Dr Klaus Hembach as Chancellor of the University.
    Prof Dr Martin Przybilski, Professor of Older German Philology, is elected Vice President for Quality Assurance, Studies, Teaching and Continuing Education.
    The subject Nursing Science is newly established.
     
  • 2015
    A new event format celebrates its premiere at the university with ‘Campus Dialogue Research’.
    Law professor Prof Dr Gerhard Robbers is appointed Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection for the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
     
  • 2016
    The research training group ‘Algorithmic Optimisation (ALOP)’ is established.
    The ‘generator’ art space is created on Campus II. The first exhibition documents and reflects the past and present of Trier's Petrisberg using multimedia.
    The members of the Senate re-elect Prof Dr Michael Jäckel as President of the University.
     
  • 2017
    The University's first Centre for Advanced Studies in Slavic Studies begins its work.
     
  • 2018
    The Senate elects Prof Dr Georg Müller-Fürstenberger as Vice President for Research and Infrastructure for a further four years.
    Work begins on the faithful reconstruction of a Roman merchant ship on campus.
    The University makes Prof. Dr Arnd Morkel an honorary citizen. He was the first President of the independent University of Trier from 1975.
     
  • 2019
    Art historian Prof Dr Ulrike Gehring takes up the post of Vice President for Studies and Teaching, succeeding Prof Dr Martin Przybilski.
    The ‘Resilience’ research group will receive two million euros in funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a further three years.
    The university will receive around eight million euros in funding from the federal and state governments via the Tenure Track Programme.

The 2020s: digitalisation in action

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, courses and campus life temporarily move completely online. Intensive teaching and research on digitalisation continues.

The 2020s

  • 2020
    The summer semester takes place digitally due to the coronavirus pandemic. Two more digital semesters will follow.
    Trier University celebrates 50 years of its re-founding with a few festive events, but with (digital) activities.
    A branch of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) is established at Trier University.
    Trier University mourns the death of a law student killed in a car attack in Trier city centre and the other four victims.
     
  • 2021
    The Trier Institute for Democracy and Party Research (TIDUP) is founded.
    The research programme ‘Immersive Extended Reality for Physical ActiviTy and Health (XR-PATH)’ is established in cooperation with Trier University of Applied Sciences
    The interdisciplinary minor ‘Digitalisation, Information and Society’ is offered for the first time in the winter semester
     
  • 2022
    Archaeologist Prof Dr Torsten Mattern is appointed Vice President for Research and Infrastructure.
    The university presents a new university development plan.
    The university is given the permanent right to appoint professors independently.
    Sponsorship of the Confucius Institute is transferred to an association in Trier.
    The Georgetown Summer School at Trier University celebrates its 50th anniversary.
     
  • 2023
    Prof Dr Eva Martha Eckkrammer becomes the first woman to become President of the University. Prof Dr Matthias Busch takes over as Vice President for Studies and Teaching.
    The University commemorates the founding of the Old University of Trier 550 years ago with events and publications.
    The University receives its first Heisenberg professorship.
    The Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (ICAN) is opened.
    Trier is one of the first universities in Germany to introduce an integrated Bachelor's degree programme in Law.
     
  • 2024
    For students, the semester ticket becomes the Deutschlandticket – Trier was a pioneer in the technical realisation nationwide.
    A new DFG long-term project is investigating what German duchesses read in the 18th century.
    Together with partners, Trier University launched a Leibniz ScienceCampus on the topic of resilience.
    JProf. Dr Pascal Warnking receives the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant for his research into ancient trade conflicts.