Ceremony for Wolfgang Steubing – Frankfurt School confers Honorary Senator title for the first time

On 19 March 2026, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management conferred the Honorary Senator title for the first time in its history. Frankfurt entrepreneur and philanthropist Wolfgang Steubing was honoured in front of well over 300 guests from business, politics, sport and academia. With this, the university recognises his long-standing commitment as a close companion and donor. Frankfurt School confers the Honorary Senator title on individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the business school. 

Angelika Werner, Vice President Strategic Relations, hosted the festive evening on campus, which featured personal tributes and a laudatory speech. In his welcome address, Professor Nils Stieglitz, President and CEO of Frankfurt School, emphasised the special connection between Wolfgang Steubing and the university: “Today, we are not only honouring a donor of our business school, but a person who has accompanied us for many years with trust, clarity and extraordinary generosity.” At the same time, he underlined the importance of exchange with business leaders for the development of Frankfurt School. 

In conversation with long-standing Kicker journalist Rainer Franzke, Uli Hoeneß, Honorary President of FC Bayern Munich, also paid tribute to Steubing’s personality and drew parallels to his own experiences: “He embodies exactly what management needs today: optimism, assertiveness and social skills.” Hoeneß particularly emphasised that growing success also entails social responsibility. 

Professor Dr h.c. Klaus-Peter Müller, Honorary Chairman of Frankfurt School’s Board of Trustees, also paid tribute to Steubing in his laudatory speech as an entrepreneurial personality who combines business success with social commitment: “Wolfgang Steubing is a reliable friend, a committed supporter and someone who takes responsibility and shares his experience with others.” He particularly highlighted Steubing’s wide-ranging philanthropic activities and his close ties to Frankfurt. 

Wolfgang Steubing himself was visibly moved in his acceptance speech and underlined his close relationship with Frankfurt School: “This recognition means a great deal to me because it stands for a connection based on shared values – to challenge and to encourage.” At the same time, he emphasised the importance of a commitment to excellence and a sense of responsibility for future generations. 

Steubing, founder of Steubing AG and long-standing Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Eintracht Frankfurt, has accompanied and supported the development of Frankfurt School over many years. Among other contributions, he supported the expansion of today’s campus with a donation of one million euros. In addition, he has been involved for decades in numerous social and charitable projects in his hometown and beyond. 

The emotional finale of the ceremony was provided by the Frankfurt Police Choir. With several songs, including the Eintracht anthem “Im Herzen von Europa”, the choir provided the musical setting and visibly moved many guests. The evening concluded with a reception and a dinner.