The Giessen -Friedberg University of Applied Sciences has appointed entrepreneur Karl-Heinz Lust as its honorary senator. During a ceremony at Altenberg Monastery near Solms, University President Prof. Dr. Günter Grabatin presented the 62-year-old from Lahnau with the certificate. The laudatory speech was given by Andreas Storm, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Lust stands for innovative research and development, courageous entrepreneurial spirit, and successful business acumen, Storm told more than 100 guests from politics, business, and science. The physicist recognized the potential of the field of magnetic microsystems technology early on and founded his first company at the age of 25. The State Secretary recalled that in the beginning, his in-laws' laundry room served as a laboratory for research and development work on the first sensors. This was the start of an unprecedented success story. Today, the group comprises six high-tech companies with over 1,000 employees and an annual turnover of €170 million. "The Lust Group," Storm continued, "is a prime example of how innovative strength, coupled with entrepreneurial spirit, can secure and expand competitive research, development, and production in Germany." Lust is also exemplary in his voluntary work. He served as President of the Wetzlar Chamber of Industry and Commerce for 13 years and is now its Honorary President. Among Lust's numerous other roles, Storm highlighted his membership in the Research Union, the advisory body that advises Education Minister Annette Schavan on the implementation of the Federal Government's high-tech strategy. Lust works at the interface of business and science. This is also demonstrated by his commitment to the Giessen -Friedberg University of Applied Sciences, with which his companies collaborate closely in research, development, and education.
“I congratulate you, Mr. Lust, on being awarded the title of Honorary Senator. But I also would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Prof. Grabatin, on your new title of Honorary Senator,” Storm concluded his laudatory speech.
The university president pointed out that Karl-Heinz Lust is only the second person to be awarded the title of honorary senator by the university's senate. Lust has rendered outstanding service to the university and the entire Central Hesse science and business region through his commitment to innovative forms of cooperation between industry and academia. Grabatin quoted the certificate of appointment, which states: "With this award, the university recognizes the achievements of Mr. Lust, who exemplifies the embodying of classic entrepreneurship, industrial practice, and applied research. He has made significant contributions to the further development of the relationship between business and science. He has long been a highly valued advisor, partner, and supporter of the Giessen -Friedberg University of Applied Sciences."
In his acceptance speech, Karl-Heinz Lust said that, while still president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), he had initiated a foundation to support the scientific Centres of Competence established this year at the University of Applied Sciences. He was pleased that the foundation's establishment was now imminent and that the Lahn-Dill Chamber of Industry and Commerce would be providing it with initial capital of €100,000. He himself had decided to contribute the same amount, the honoree announced to prolonged applause from the guests. Lust called on other companies to participate in the foundation to strengthen the Central Hesse region as a business location.
He was very pleased to receive the award from the university of applied sciences. He said that what he had built could not have been achieved alone, but "only through the trust, friendship, reliability and honesty of the people with whom I worked."