The University of Bremen’s 30-year-old cooperation with Dickinson College, Carlisle, in the US State of Pennsylvania is a truly hands-on partnership. In future, visitors to the University campus will be reminded of this in a rather unusual way: By means of red chairs. The first three were unveiled during the anniversary celebrations held in the Garden of Nations on June 4, 2015.
Red chairs are a hallmark feature on our partner university’s campus in America. Bright red ergonomically shaped seating accommodation – something of a mixture between chair and recliner. The so-called Adirondack Chair has its origin in the mountains of the same name in the US State of New York. The chair is quite commonplace in the USA and Canada, where it is known as a ‘Muskoka Chair’. The design was patented way back in1905, since when it has established a reputation as the ideal way to relax in the open air.
Unveiling at alumni meeting
Annette Lang, leader of the University of Bremen’s International Office, first had the idea to locate these chairs on the Bremen campus while she was attending a meeting of alumni in Carlisle. “They represent a sign of friendship with the people from Dickinson College”, said Yasemin Karakaşoĝlu, the University of Bremen’s Vice Rectress for Intercultural and International Affairs during the festive alumni meeting with a high-level delegation from Pennsylvania, the eight exchange students currently residing in Bremen, and a large number of alumni.
“We seem to see things the same way”
The environmentally-friendly chairs, which are marketed by a firm in Bielefeld, are made of 100 percent recycled materials: Hard polyethylen. In the meantime the University has started a fund-raising campaign with the chairs. For 400 euros anyone who wants to can finance their very own “Dickinson Chair” and have it erected with their name on it in the campus parkland. One of the first donators is the former Rector of the University, Wilfried Müller. “The cooperation with Dickinson College means a great deal to me and it paved the way for many personal friendships”, said Müller. “I have the feeling it is much more than a normal partnership. Everyone gets along so well with one another”. He then adds with a smile: “We seem to see things the same way”.
Donor pledges for ten chairs
“We have already received donor pledges for ten chairs”, says Annette Lang proudly. The people attending the unveiling - which in fitting style was performed using red cloth – were able to test the first three for comfort. However, at the end of the evening the chairs had to be removed. “The University’s facility management now has to come up with a way to anchor the chairs”, explained Annette Lang. That little problem will be solved, though, long before Open Campus Day on Saturday July 11. Prior to the unveiling the President of Dickinson College, Nancy Roseman, stressed: “The 30-year partnership has developed into real friendship.”
If you would like to have more information on this topic, please contact:
University of Bremen
International Office
Dr. Annette Lang
Phone: +49 421 218 60361
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