Saxon Order of Merit for Director General Ingrid Mössinger and Prof Dr Klaus-Jürgen Matthes, scientist and long-standing Rector of Chemnitz University of Technology
Award from Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich on 19 May 2014
On Monday, 19 May 2014, Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich will honour citizens for their outstanding commitment with the highest award of the Free State of Saxony. Among those honoured are two personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the city of Chemnitz: Ingrid Mössinger and Prof Dr Klaus-Jürgen Matthes.
Ingrid Mössinger has been General Director of the Chemnitz Art Collections since 1996. Under her direction, major exhibitions have been shown, for example on Munch, Kirchner, Cranach, "Picasso et les femmes" or the world premiere of the Bob Dylan works. She brought the high-calibre Gunzenhauser Collection to Chemnitz, as well as the Feininger Collection and numerous other collections.
Mayor Barbara Ludwig: "We warmly congratulate Mrs Mössinger on being awarded the Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony and cannot thank her enough for dedicating her life's work to our city. She has achieved what previously seemed impossible. Chemnitz has become a centre of attraction for art lovers worldwide. The fact that we are now able to present Alfred Gunzenhauser's collection in a specially created museum fills us with pride and joy. Thanks to their commitment, the enjoyment of art is now as much a part of Chemnitz as its long industrial tradition."
Ingrid Mössinger has already been highly honoured internationally for her commitment. She was made a Knight of the French Legion of Honour (2006), has been awarded the Saxon Constitutional Medal (2010) and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2007), the Danish Knight's Cross of the Dannebrog Order (2010) and the "Hot Potato" media and communication award (2010).
Prof Dr Klaus-Jürgen Matthes has played a key role in shaping the successful development of Chemnitz University of Technology as a scientist, dean, prorector and long-standing rector. "He has also succeeded in weaving a network between science and the regional economy, which is invaluable for both sides," said Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig. "At the same time, Klaus-Jürgen Matthes has promoted cooperation between the city and the university and achieved decisive things for urban development. In the Year of Science 2011, the go-ahead was given for the development of the University Quarter in the city centre and the new Central Library. I would like to thank him for his commitment."
Matthes was Rector of Chemnitz University of Technology from 2003 to 2011. Prior to this, he held the position of Vice-Rector for Research for six years. He held the professorship for Welding Technology from 1992 and was Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Process Engineering between 1994 and 1997. Matthes began his career at the TU in 1964 when he began studying welding technology and mechanical engineering.
In 2004, Matthes took part in the Federal Assembly for the election of the German Federal President. He was also Chairman of the Saxon State Rectors' Conference in 2010 and 2011.