Award for Sustainability and Responsibility

Since 2015, the Rotary Club Bayreuth-Eremitage has awarded the prestigious Klaus-Dieter Wolff Prize in cooperation with the University of Bayreuth. The prize recognises exemplary voluntary achievements in the fields of culture and social engagement. The award’s namesake, Klaus Dieter Wolff, was not only the founding president of the University of Bayreuth but also the founding president of the Rotary Club Bayreuth-Eremitage. He placed great importance on students becoming socially engaged during their studies and volunteering in cultural and social spheres.

The formal award ceremony took place at the University of Bayreuth as part of the annual Rotary Lecture. Around 150 guests from academia, society, and business attended the event. Rotary President Professor Dr Martin Leschke opened the evening and emphasised the significance of the prize as a symbol of lived social responsibility.

In his laudatory speech, Professor Dr Ralf Moos highlighted that Sofie Paulus “combines academic excellence with exceptional commitment to sustainability.” The awardee is not only active in research but also inspires others far beyond the university through her work.

Sofie Paulus is a research associate and doctoral candidate at the Chair of Sport Ecology at the University of Bayreuth. As co-founder of the initiative “Ecopoint Frankenjura”, she advocates for climate-friendly travel and environmentally responsible behaviour in climbing. She is also active as a trainer in the German Alpine Club and as a sustainable brand ambassador, using her public profile to inspire young people to embrace sustainability.

Following the award ceremony, former ski racer Christian Neureuther captivated the audience with his Rotary Lecture entitled “A Retired Skier Comes to Bayreuth – On the Power of Seeking the New”, moderated by Thomas Erbe. With humour and depth, Neureuther spoke about the importance of curiosity, change, and lifelong learning.

At the subsequent standing reception, guests took the opportunity to engage in personal conversations with the awardee and the speakers.

The Rotary Club Bayreuth-Eremitage extends its heartfelt thanks to all involved for a successful event and is proud to contribute to public discourse and the promotion of education and science through this occasion.