Thomas Böcking to retire as German National Secretary, Hannes Unberath appointed
Thomas B
öcking (Germany & University College 1970) is to retire as German National Secretary to the Rhodes Trust, after 31 years of exceptional service, and will be succeeded by Professor Hannes Unberath (Germany & Worcester 1997).
Thomas Böcking, the stepson of a Rhodes Scholar, A F K Schlepegrell (Germany & University College 1931), was elected a Scholar in the first election of German Rhodes Scholars after the reinstatement of the German Scholarships in 1970.
After reading PPE at University College, Oxford, he trained as a lawyer in Germany, and has served as in variety of roles as a public servant, public prosecutor, and then for many years judge and judicial administrator in Germany.
Thomas Böcking has served as German National Secretary to the Rhodes Trust, ably and conscientiously administering the Rhodes Scholarships in Germany, since 1979, and is only the second German National Secretary since the reinstatement of the Scholarships.
In his work as German National Secretary, Thomas has been outstandingly supported by his wife, Silvia Böcking.
The Warden of Rhodes House, Dr Donald Markwell, said that, on behalf of the Rhodes Trustees and his predecessors as Warden going back to Sir Edgar Williams, he wished to pay the warmest of tributes to Thomas and Silvia Böcking.
‘Thomas and Silvia have given exceptional service, undertaken invariably with grace, skill, and profound commitment to serve the Rhodes Scholarships, Oxford, and the promotion of international understanding’, he said.
‘It has been a joy to work with Thomas and Silvia. Their partnership in support of the German Rhodes Scholarship has been one of the great strengths of Thomas’s Secretaryship.’
As German National Secretary since 1979, he has been responsible for the election of around 90 German Rhodes Scholars.
Thomas Böcking said: ‘It has been both an honour and a pleasure to serve the Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes community for so many years. It has enabled Silvia and me to contribute to achieving the vision of Cecil Rhodes, and to remain in close contact with Oxford, through which we have developed so many much-valued friendships.’
The retirement of Thomas and Silvia Böcking will be recognized during a reception at Rhodes House on Friday 24 September, during the University of Oxford’s Alumni Weekend; the reception will also mark the 40th anniversary of the reinstatement of the German Scholarships.
The Böckings will also be honoured during a dinner, hosted by the Warden, in Munich on Friday 26 November.
Thomas Böcking will retire as German National Secretary on 31 December 2010.
Hannes Unberath appointed German National Secretary
The Rhodes Trustees have appointed Professor Hannes Unberath (Germany & Worcester 1997) as German National Secretary to the Rhodes Trust, in succession to Mr Thomas Böcking (Germany & University College 1970).
Professor Unberath has been appointed for a renewable five-year term, commencing 1 January 2011.
Hannes Unberath read for the MJur and then the DPhil in Law at Oxford, and has since September 2009 been Professor Law at the University of Bayreuth, with a chair in private law and civil procedure. He was previously Professor of Law at the University of Jena, with a chair in international private law and comparative law. He also served from 2007 to 2009 as a judge of the Court of Appeal of Thuringia.
Hannes Unberath has over 50 publications, including three books, in German and English in various branches of the law. He has also previously served on the German selection committee for the Rhodes Scholarships.
Professor Unberath said that he was honoured to serve as German National Secretary.
The Warden of Rhodes House, Dr Donald Markwell, said that the Rhodes Trustees and he were very grateful that Professor Unberath had accepted appointment, and looked forward with enthusiasm to working with him.
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