Happy Birthday, Professor Wolfgang Schürer – Honorary Chairman of the Foundation Celebrates His 80th Birthday

The Lindau “Nobel family” congratulates Professor Wolfgang Schürer, who will celebrate his 80^th birthday on 14 September 2026. Happy Birthday, dear Wolfgang Schürer.

Wolfgang Schürer is a co-founder, long-standing Chairman and today Honorary Chairman of the Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. On his birthday, we thank him for his many years of dedicated service and the lasting impact he has had on the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. We are grateful for his continued close ties with Lindau and for the time he still devotes to us and to our shared mission. Most recently, Wolfgang Schürer attended the 75^th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting on Lake Constance this summer.

From the establishment of the Foundation in 2000 until the end of 2014, he served as Chairman of its Board. Wolfgang Schürer was a member of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings from 2002 to 2015 and served as Vice-President of the Council from 2009 to 2014. The inclusion of the Meetings in Economic Sciences in the Lindau meeting cycle from 2004 onwards, and their development, which he helped shape as Scientific Co-Chair, were important milestones of his work as a member of the Council. Together with the Foundation’s Board, he helped set a decisive course from 2000 onwards to secure the Meetings in Germany and Europe through new partnerships, safeguard their financial independence, firmly establish Lindau as their long-term home, and further their internationalization. These efforts have enabled ever more highly talented Young Scientists from what are now around 100 countries worldwide to take part in this international dialogue between generations.

As an entrepreneur, academic and philanthropist, Wolfgang Schürer continues to make a wide-ranging contribution to society. He has closely accompanied and supported generations of young people in science and business throughout their lives and careers, whether at the University of St. Gallen, during their professional careers, or through his voluntary engagement in organizations such as the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. He is a role model and remains a mentor to many to this day.

A clear set of values, the courage to venture into new territory, commitment, reliability and extraordinary dedication, combined with a wealth of ideas and the highest degree of professionalism, are among the qualities that distinguish him. He acts and makes things happen where others hesitate or wait. For Wolfgang Schürer, a problem is always a challenge and an opportunity. He does what he believes in. He is there when asked – and when needed.

In recognition of his extensive contributions, Wolfgang Schürer has received numerous honours, including the Grand Cross of Merit with Star of the Federal Republic of Germany, awarded by Federal President Joachim Gauck.

In 2008, Countess Sonja Bernadotte presented him with the Lennart Bernadotte Medal, the Council’s highest distinction, in recognition of his exceptional commitment. In 2016, Countess Bettina Bernadotte awarded him with the Lennart Bernadotte Medal in Gold, a distinction created by the Council specifically in his honour.