For the past 20 years, the WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management Foundation has awarded the d'Ester Prize to students who have distinguished themselves through their social commitment to the WHU community. This year’s award, presented by Peter Kreutter, Director of the WHU Foundation, went to bachelor student Julius Cheung.
In total, almost ten students were nominated for the award by their fellow students. Julius Cheung not only won the vote, but also these warm words from his fellow students: "As Chairman and now Board Member of the First Responder Initiative, he has contributed significantly to the well-being not only of his fellow WHU members, but of the entire Vallendar community over the past three years. We know him as one of the most compassionate and kind-hearted people we have ever met. At WHU, he is known for his trustworthiness and responsiveness. He also helps not only in his role as a first responder, but in all other aspects of life. You can call Julius and he is there no matter what time it is. He is the one who always puts his needs aside for others."
The d'Ester award does not involve money. It is solely about the honor of this award. "You can't buy or pay for such commitment to the WHU community," says Peter Kreutter. In any case, Julius Cheung appreciates the award, commenting: "It is a great honor for me to receive the d'Ester Award for Student Engagement, precisely because it is awarded by the student body! For me, this commitment is my part in contributing to the WHU spirit."
The prize is named after the family that built the Marienburg, the WHU Vallendar Campus’ main building, in the second half of the eighteenth century. For over two hundred years they lived within its walls, (now a historically preserved building), and were known for their social commitment to the town, which went far beyond their personal and economic interests.