Dr. HANS VIESSMANN
Wilfrid Laurier University
is proud to honour Dr. Hans Viessmann with the naming of
the Viessmann European Research Centre. The Viessmann Company
began as a small metal workshop in 1917 with Josef Viessmann.
His son, Dr. Hans Viessmann guided the Viessmann company
from 1947 until his death in Hof Germany on March 30th,
2002 and took what was once a family company of 35 employees
to a global corporation with more than 7,000 employees world
wide. Viessmann is now recognized as an international heating
and cooling leader with 1.3 billion in annual sales in Europe
and North America. The company has established production
and sales offices in 18 countries around the world with
the North American headquarters located in Waterloo.
Under the guidance
of Dr. Hans Viessmann, the Viessmann Company has been committed
to research, development and innovation. This has led to over
1300 patent registries for the Viessmann Company and recognition
as a leader in development of environmentally friendly products
and production processes.
Dr. Viessmann
himself was recognized for his work with an honourary degree
from Marburg University in Germany and from the German government
for distinguished service to his country. Along with success
in industry, Dr. Viessmann was a strong supporter of universities
and used his resources and talents to help both students and
faculty members.
Dr. Viessmann's
affiliation with Wilfrid Laurier University began in 1983
with the signing of a student exchange agreement with Philipps
University. At that time, Dr. Viessmann was approached
by Dr. Kroll, the president of Philipps University to assist
with a travel scholarship for Laurier students who wish to
participate in the exchange program with Philipps University. This conversation led to the establishment of
the Viessmann/Marburg travel stipend, which is still in existance
today.
In 1993, Wilfrid
Laurier University awarded Dr. Viessmann an honourary degree
for his business achievements and generosity to the Laurier
community in assisting with the publication of a discussion
paper series by the WLU European Interest Group established
at Laurier.
Dr. Viessmann
continued to support the WLU European Interest Group by first
hosting a symposium held in conjunction with Philipps University at his castle in Hof, Germany, and by second hosting
a symposium in Marburg at the University. It was during this
second symposium that Dr. Viessmann donated further funding
to establish not only a permanent home for the WLU European
Interest Group, but also a second award to assist Laurier
students who wish to participate in exchange programs with
German institutions. In addition, Dr. Viessman pledged support
to the Geography and Environmental Studies department of WLU.
With this financial
committment, the Viessmann European Research Centre was founded
and it is with great pride that the Centre commemorates his
name and vision to "act in such a way that you use mankind,
whether in the form of yourself or other people, as a purpose
and never purely as a means". - Immanuel Kant Critique
of Pure Reason.
Dr. Hans Viessmann
died in Hof, Germany on March 30, 2002. The Centre has lost
a true friend and we mourn his passing.
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