50 years University of New Orleans - University of Innsbruck

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11:30-13:30 Alumni event and lunch buffet: memories and meaning

UNO President Kathy Johnson presiding with Summer School founder Dr. Nick Mueller featuring testimonials from alumni, including Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and former faculty and staff, including Carl Wagner, Dr. Margaret Davidson, Alea Cot, Walter Freytag, and many others sharing – What International Education Meant to Me. 

Alumni of the University of Innsbruck who attended the UNO-IBK Summer School, were part of the Austrian Student Program (ASP) in February or spent a semester or even more at the University of New Orleans as well as faculty who taught at UNO are welcome to join us for this event. You can catch up with former fellow students, make new contacts and share your own experiences with the UNO-IBK partnership.

17:30 - 18:30 Opening Ceremony of UNO-Innsbruck International Summer School

Formal Occasion with Academic and Government Platform party. President Johnson, Rector Sexl, Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and invited dignitaries from the U.S. and Austria address 400+ combined students, faculty, dignitaries, alumni, and guests to officially convene the Summer School. Welcome by a Tirolean Brass Band and musical interludes provided by an Austrian string quartet.

18:30 - 21:30 Gala Dinner and Ball at the Innsbruck Congresshaus following the ceremony featuring the University of Innsbruck Big Band Combo, a jazz ensemble, and a New Orleans second line.

History

Im Sommer des Jahres 1976 kamen erstmals Studierende aus New Orleans an die Universität Innsbruck. Foto: The University of New Orleans

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Vertrag UNO / IBK

  • 1976

    On the initiative of historian Gordon "Nick" Mueller, the first UN International Summer School opens in Innsbruck. At the same time, American students come to Innsbruck for the first time - the beginning of a long-term partnership.

  • 1978

    Walter Freytag is the first UIBK student who is attending UNO for a semester.

  • 1981

    Rektor Andreae (IBK), UNO Chancellor Richelle and UNO Dean Mueller determine to formalize a Friendship Treaty and to intensify student and faculty exchange and research collaboration between the two universities. Informal faculty exchange between UNO and UIBK begins with Anton Pelinka. Since then about 30 faculty members of the University of Innsbruck have taught at UNO. 

  • 1982

    The History Department of the University of New Orleans awards a Graduate Fellowship to Günter Bischof, the first Innsbruck graduate student at the UNO.
    University of Innsbruck inaugurates the Austrian Student Program at UNO (February Program)

  • 1983

    Signing of the official partnership (Friendship Treaty) between the University of Innsbruck and the University of New Orleans, as well as further conferences on tourism/culture and health policy.

  • 1984

    Werner Field from UNO teaches at UIBK. Until now about 25 faculty members of UNO have taught at UIBK.

  • 1988

    Free access for University of Innsbruck students to the UNO-Summer School.

  • In the mid-1980s

    Introduction of reciprocal scholarship programmes and expansion of regular faculty exchanges.

  • 1991

    UNO and UIBK launch joint publications and annual symposia.

  • 1992

    Launch of Contemporary Austrian Studies, an interdisciplinary yearbook series (volume 34 in 2025)

  • 1995

    The Sister City Agreement between the cities of Innsbruck and New Orleans is signed on July 4.

  • 1997

    Founding of the Fall Foundation Center Austria at UNO under the direction of Gordon “Nick” Mueller. Launch of the Academic Year Abroad (AYA) program under Margaret Davidson

  • 1998

    First New Orleans Festival in Innsbruck (until 2025)

  • 2000

    Young artists exchange is inaugurated with UNO artists at Stadtgalerie Innsbruck and Innsbruck artists at UNO's Fine Arts College.

  • 2001

    Austrian Marshall Plan Chair program at UNO is inaugurated and administered by Center Austria.

  • 2003

    The City of Innsbruck and the Province of Tirol jointly launch the annual "Nick Mueller Fellowship", assisting a student to study and do research at the UNO (until 2025)

  • 2005

    Hurricane Katrina: some of the planned symposia are cancelled.

  • 2010

    Center New Orleans is founded at the University of Innsbruck to support the partnership between UIBK and UNO and to coordinate all partneractivities in Innsbruck.

  • 2015

    Center Austria is renamed the “Austrian Marshall Plan Center for European Studies” and relocates. Center New Orleans is formally established. End of the art exchange program.

  • 2020 - 2021

    Continuation of cooperation despite global challenges; further publications in the CAS series.

  • 2023

    Launch of new initiatives such as the History Exchange Podcast Series as well as research collaborations (e.g., Water Research Exchange).

  • 2025

    Guenter Bischof Scholarship and Research Fund set up by Günter Bischof's wife and children to benefit UNO and Uibk students.

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