42 new doctors at the University of St.Gallen

21 February 2022. “Today must be one of your happiest days,” said Prof. Dr. Bernhard Ehrenzeller while congratulating the new graduates. Although everyone should aspire to embrace happiness, the meaning of the term in German was not always unequivocal – contrary to the American “pursuit of happiness”. Success as measured in titles, publications and their impact could nurture our happiness, but often only for a moment until we need more of it to think that we are happy.

On this journey, there have been stories of frustration, sleepless nights and fear of failure. Pursuing science is not always a piece of cake, continued Bernhard Ehrenzeller. But he was convinced that “if the search for answers, hours of reading and the persistent probing of your research areas had not made you happy during your earlier studies, you would never have been able and willing to tackle a doctorate.” Despite the different paths you and your colleagues took towards a doctoral degree, you were all united in the happiness you found in pursuing knowledge, said the President. Glück, the ambivalent German term meaning good luck as well as happiness, was the theme of his speech: “Happy you, lucky you – Glück in science”.

Bernhard Ehrenzeller reminded the new doctors how during their doctoral studies, their path was not always straight and was most likely full of twists, turns, and self-doubt. But yet today, this celebration demonstrates that all of you had the courage to jump in at the deep end time and again. “You have achieved a great deal in order to now be ready.”

Image: Foto Lautenschlager GmbH