The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina distinguish Horst Dietz, Berlin, and Dagmar Szabados, Halle (Saale), as Honoury Sponsors. The Leopoldina bestows the title of Honoury Sponsors upon people that, while they are not members of the Academy, have made significant contributions in their field to benefit the Academy.

Horst Dietz is awarded this title for his efforts and commitment to the Leopoldina Academy Circle of Friends reg. ass. Dagmar Szabados, during her time as mayor of Halle (Saale), earned this title for her successful cooperation between the city Halle and the Academy.

Both award ceremonies took place during the formal opening of the members’ assembly on Friday the 20th of September 2013.

Horst Dietz, Jörg Hacker, Dagmar Szabados and Jutta Schnitzer-Ungefug (from left) during the awarding ceremony of the title Honoury Sponsor. All four are members of the Leopoldina Academy Circle of Friends. Photo: Leopoldina /David Ausserhofer

Dr.-Ing. Horst Dietz is one of the founding members of the Leopoldina Academy Circle of Friends. He has been Chairperson of the Board ever since its establishment. It is due to him that the Leopoldina Academy Circle of Friends could have its considerable figurative impetus and gain many members in a short time. Dietz stood up for, amongst other things, reviewing the Academy's history in the 20th century, during which members of the Leopoldina were persecuted and executed by the NS Regime, and erecting a memorial. The Freundeskreis provided funds to remind the community of these victims with the help of a stele created by Prof. Bernd Göbel, a sculptor from Halle. Furthermore, the association supported a high-quality lighting concept within the context of the redevelopment project of the head office of the Leopoldina and provide a grand piano for the banquet hall.

On urge by Horst Dietz, the Freundeskreis made funds available to the archive to preserve important documents.

Dr.-Ing. Horst Dietz was awarded the title of Honoury Sponsor on the 20th of September 2013.

It was of concern for Dagmar Szabados as the mayor of Halle, to cooperate with the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in a trustworthy manner for the good of the city and the Academy. Her assistance especially came into play when the city Halle helped the Leopoldina with the planning and renovation of its new main building at the Jägerberg. The application of Halle as the City of Science 2012 was also thanks to her. In this context, she brought together the most different actors in science to drastically improve upon public awareness of the importance of science. Dagmar Szabados is also active in the Freundeskreis community and contributed to establish a fixing of the Leopoldina in the Region.

For her services towards the cooperation of Halle and the Academy during her time in office as mayor, she was awarded the title of Honoury Sponsor on the 20th of September 2013.