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125 Years of Management, Economics and Social Sciences – The Anniversary 2026

Today’s ideas. Tomorrow’s impact.

2026, the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne will celebrate its 125th anniversary. This special milestone highlights both the faculty’s remarkable historical development and its significance for the present and the future.

As one of the largest and most renowned institutions of its kind, the WiSo Faculty shapes the fields of economics and social sciences – innovative, interdisciplinary, responsible, and with a decisive impact.

This anniversary website serves as the central hub for all activities, events, and communication initiatives throughout the anniversary year. Here, visitors will find up-to-date information, programme overviews, and insights into the faculty’s history and future.

  • The historical building of the wiso faculty. The picture is from a post card and is in black and white.
  • The brick building of the WiSo Faculty today. It is sunset and the last beams of sunshine peak behind the wiso building.
  • Students in front of the entrance of the WiSo building. Two people sitting on the stairs, talking. Three others in the background enter the building through the doors. On the left side of the picture you can see the name WiSo engraved in the conrete of the building.

A Look Back: 125 Years of Science, Impact and Transformation

The roots of the WiSo Faculty date back to the founding of the Cologne School of Commerce on 16 April 1901 – the historical origin of today’s faculty. Since then, it has evolved into an interdisciplinary centre in which business administration, economics, social sciences and political science jointly shape research and public debate.

You can find more about the history of the faculty here: The History of the WiSo Faculty 

Anniversary Programme 2026

 The jubilee year will feature key events that link the faculty’s past and future, showcasing the diversity of perspectives, people and topics.

1. Anniversary Opening – 16 April 2026

Picture: A picture of lecture hall number one at the University of Cologne. The entrance has dark wooden doors and metal letters above the entrance saying

Venue: WiSo Building (WiSo-Hochhaus)
Time: 5:00–9:00 pm

The ceremonial anniversary opening marks the official start of the jubilee year.
With keynote talks on the 125-year history, the development of the faculty buildings, current academic perspectives, and a joint get-together, the evening will focus on identity, exchange and future orientation.
 

This event will also mark the official opening of Lecture Hall I!

The opening event sets the tone for all subsequent anniversary activities under the claim: “Today’s ideas. Tomorrow’s impact.”

2. Lecture Series in Summer 2026

Logo graphic for the Summer Semester 2026 Lecture Series celebrating the 125th anniversary of the WiSo Faculty at the University of Cologne

Following the opening event, our scientific lecture series will explore pressing questions in economics, politics, and society.
The series showcases the Faculty’s interdisciplinary research strengths while making academic insights accessible to a wide audience. Each lecture addresses contemporary issues in a clear, engaging, and open manner for all participants.

Objectives of the lecture series:

  • Foster dialogue between academia, politics, business, and civil society
  • Present current research and innovative approaches
  • Promote science communication with a sense of societal responsibility

Lecture Series programme overview

05.05.2026 – Prof. Dr Detlef Schoder: AI, Creativity and the Future of Business Administration
Portrait photograph of Prof. Dr Detlef Schoder of the WiSo Faculty, University of Cologne, a speaker in the 2026 Lecture Series.

The series opens with Prof. Dr Detlef Schoder, Managing Director and Founder of the Cologne Institute for Information Systems, exploring the use and future of artificial intelligence.

  • Topic: “AI Needs CI – Artificial Intelligence Needs Creative Intelligence. When Knowledge Becomes Abundant – The Future of Business Administration in the Age of AI”
  • Date: Tuesday, 05 May 2026
  • Admission: 17:45 | Start: 18:00
  • Venue: Lecture Hall I, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, Universitätsstraße 24, 50931 Cologne

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception

Registration is non-binding and helps us plan for the reception.

19.05.2026 – Prof. Dr Axel Ockenfels: The Art of Making the World Better
Portrait photograph of Prof. Dr Axel Ockenfels of the WiSo Faculty, University of Cologne, a speaker in the 2026 Lecture Series.

Join Prof. Dr Axel Ockenfels, Founder of the Adenauer School of Government (ASG), Professor of Economics at the University of Cologne, and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Behavioural Economics, for an insightful lecture full of perspectives on cooperation and social challenges.#

  • Topic: “The Art of Making the World Better: Organ Donation, Pandemics, Climate – and the Economic Architecture of Cooperation”
  • Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
  • Admission: 17:45 | Start: 18:00
  • Venue: Lecture Hall I, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, Universitätsstraße 24, 50931 Cologne

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception.

Registration is non-binding and helps us plan for the reception.

28.05.2026 – Selten Salon with Prof. Dr Isabel Schnabel: “Made in Europe”
Event banner: “Made in Europe” Selten Salon with Isabel Schnabel, celebrating the 125th anniversary of the WiSo Faculty; a cooperation between ECONtribute and the Universities of Bonn and Cologne.

The Selten Salon of the ECONtribute Excellence Cluster, held as part of the 125th anniversary of Cologne’s Faculty of Management, Economics, and Social Sciences, features economist Prof. Dr Isabel Schnabel. She will explore how Europe can better harness its economic potential and strengthen the “Made in Europe” brand.

  • Topic: “Made in Europe – Europe’s Economic Potential in Global Competition”
  • Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026
  • Admission: 17:00 | Start: 17:30
  • Venue: Lecture Hall 1, University of Cologne, Universitätsstraße 24, 50931 Cologne (subject to change)

Following the lecture, there will be a discussion round and reception starting at 18:45.

Registration is non-binding and helps us plan for the reception.

About the speaker:
Isabel Schnabel is a member of the Directorate of the European Central Bank. Previously, she was Professor of Financial Market Economics at the University of Bonn and spokesperson of the ECONtribute Excellence Cluster.

23.06.2026 – Prof. Dr. Detlef Buschfeld: “Trade, Teaching and Trade Educators at Universities”
Portrait photograph of Prof. Dr Detlef Buschfeld of the WiSo Faculty, University of Cologne, a speaker in the 2026 Lecture Series.

Prof. Dr. Detlef Buschfeld, Professor of Economic and Social Education, will deliver a lecture as part of the 125th anniversary series, examining the interplay between trade, teaching, and economic education at universities.

  • Topic: “Trade, Teaching and Trade Educators at Universities”
  • Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026
  • Admission: 17:45 | Start: 18:
  • Venue: Lecture Hall I, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, Universitätsstraße 24, 50931 Cologne

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception.

Registration is non-binding and helps us plan for the reception.

Our programme is continuously updated. Please check this website regularly for the latest information!

3. Anniversary Highlight: Open Day – 15 October 2026

A group of WiSo students in front of the building of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne. They all jump up at the same time. Some throw their arm into the air.

Venue: WiSo Building and additional campus areas
Time: 2:00–00:00 pm

The major Open Day will be the highlight of the anniversary year. In the newly refurbished WiSo Building, guests will experience the faculty in all its dimensions – lively, open, interdisciplinary and collaborative.

Anniversary open day programme overview

2:00–2:30 pm – Admission & first activities
Welcome in the foyer, start of hands-on activities and exhibition points

2:30–3:30 pm – Festive opening in Lecture Hall I
Welcome addresses, greetings, award ceremonies

3:30–5:30 pm – “WiSo Fair”
Interactive activities throughout the building, including:

  • Campus tours including rooftop access
  • Repeat sessions of selected highlights from the lecture series
  • Guides for the chronicle exhibition
  • Hands-on science (information stands, short lectures, experiments)
  • Activities for children and families

5:30–7:00 pm – Lecture & panel discussion 
A  panel exploring impact and responsibility in the economic and social sciences – further details to follow

7:00–9:00 pm – Get-together
Networking, music and continuation of activities

9:00–00:00 pm – Anniversary Party
Party in the WiSo foyer and rooftop venue

 The Open Day brings together people, scholarship and community – and forms the grand finale of the anniversary year. Any updates and additions will be announced here.

125 years of the WiSo Faculty mean 125 years of ideas, research and people who have had a lasting impact on our society. For us, this anniversary is not only a moment to look back, but above all a step forward. We are celebrating the diversity of our disciplines, the courage to innovate, and the strong sense of community that distinguishes our faculty. Together with students, staff, alumni and partners, we want to use this anniversary year to showcase what makes the WiSo strong today and what it can achieve tomorrow. I warmly invite everyone to be part of this special year and to help shape the history of the WiSo.

Prof. Ulrich W. Thonemann, Ph.D. Dean of the Faculty of Management, Ecnomics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne

 The 125th anniversary strengthens identity, visibility and collaboration – both within the faculty and beyond.

What Makes the Anniversary Special

We warmly invite you to help shape the anniversary:

  • For members of the WiSo Faculty
    Support the organisation, contribute your ideas or take part in activities and events. Every perspective counts – because our anniversary is a collaborative project.
  • For external partners and alumni
    Maintain dialogue with us, share your expertise and experiences, and participate in discussions, panels or knowledge-transfer formats. Your contribution strengthens the bridge between academia, business, politics and society.
  • For interested members of the public
    Take part in our events, rediscover the WiSo Faculty and engage in conversation with researchers and students. We are opening our doors – and look forward to welcoming you.

 Whether through participation, dialogue or active involvement: you are warmly invited to experience the anniversary and to help shape the future of the WiSo Faculty. Stay tuned for everything we have planned to mark this special occasion!