Studienstiftung honors Prof. Dr. Thomas Mannel with the Daidalos Coin
The German National Academic Foundation honors the many years of commitment and outstanding dedication of Professor Dr. Thomas Mannel, Professor of Theoretical Particle Physics at the University of Siegen, with the award of the Daidalos Coin. Mannel has been supporting scholarship holders at the Siegen site as a liaison lecturer since 2004. The Vice President of the Studienstiftung, Professor Dr. Ansgar Büschges, presented Prof. Mannel with the Daidalos coin at a ceremony in the Artur-Woll-Haus at the University of Siegen. Prof. Büschges thanked Mannel for his persistent and special academic and personal commitment to his scholarship holders and the Studienstiftung's mission.
The award was initiated by a group of scholarship holders. In their proposal, they emphasized Mannel's encouraging advice and reliable support during difficult phases. Through his empathy, interest in individual careers, experience and expertise, he showed the scholarship holders new paths and perspectives and conveyed confidence. "Because Siegen is a comparatively small location, the work of the liaison lecturer there is of particular importance - and with Professor Mannel, this role was and is in the best hands. Over the years, his continuous, reliable and dedicated support has enabled a lively, trusting and productive community of scholarship holders," said the recipients in their letter of recommendation. As the sole liaison lecturer at the Siegen location, Mannel is responsible for the support and networking of all scholarship holders there, which he always fulfills with exceptional commitment. "Liaison lecturers are far more than just contacts. They are listeners, companions and advisors - and are committed to the academic and personal development of young talent. Thomas Mannel has accompanied 100 scholarship holders in this way. We thank him for his time and empathy, for his tireless commitment - it is indispensable for the idea that supports the Studienstiftung," said Prof. Büschges.
"You have left a lasting mark on our university in research and teaching. As the driving force behind our Cluster of Excellence in Physics, you have supported numerous talented scholarship holders over time. You have not only fulfilled your function, but have always shown a sincere interest in people, inspired those around you with your curiosity and contributed to making many students and staff feel valued and heard with your empathy. The Daidalos coin is a wonderful recognition of your achievements. On behalf of the university management, I would like to thank you and congratulate you on your great achievements," said Prof. Dr. Andreas Kolb, Prorector for Research, Networking and Infrastructure.
Many years of commitment to the Studienstiftung
"I am delighted that my work and my person have been honored and appreciated. The Studienstiftung has also shaped my academic career, it has always been very enriching for me," said Prof. Dr. Thomas Mannel.
Thomas Mannel studied physics at the TU Darmstadt and was supported by the Studienstiftung during his studies. After completing his doctorate, also in Darmstadt, he worked as a research assistant at Harvard University before habilitating in Darmstadt. Following an appointment at the University of Karlsruhe, he has been Professor of Theoretical Particle Physics at the University of Siegen since 2003. He is co-spokesperson of the Transregional Collaborative Research Center "Phenomenological Elementary Particle Physics after the Higgs Discovery" and was named Erwin Schrödinger Visiting Professor 2025 in Vienna in recognition of his outstanding contributions to theoretical elementary particle physics.
Mannel conducts research in the field of phenomenology of elementary particles. The core of his work is the development of methods to describe heavy quarks, which make up protons and neutrons among other things, with the aim of better describing the interactions of the different types of quarks and thus contributing to a more detailed understanding of the standard model of particle physics.
From 2002 to 2003, Mannel was a liaison lecturer of the Studienstiftung at the University of Karlsruhe. Since 2004, he has been the sole and leading liaison lecturer at the university in Siegen. In recent decades, he has also supported the work of the Studienstiftung as a lecturer at the summer academies in Ftan and Olang, on the selection committee for doctoral candidates, at the annual conference of liaison lecturers and as a nominator of students and doctoral candidates for a Studienstiftung scholarship.
About the Daidalos Coin
Since 2013, the German Academic Scholarship Foundation has been awarding the Daidalos Medal to particularly deserving liaison lecturers. The prerequisites for this are at least ten years of commitment to the position of liaison lecturer and a convincingly substantiated proposal from the group of scholarship holders. Since the 2018/19 selection season, committee members who have been particularly involved in the selection process over a long period of time have also been honored with the Daidalos Medal for their commitment.
About the liaison lecturers of the Studienstiftung
More than 900 professors from various disciplines work for the Studienstiftung on a voluntary basis as liaison lecturers at their university. They support scholarship holders in groups of around 15 people and assist them with issues such as individual study and career planning. The liaison lecturers promote interdisciplinary exchange within their group of scholarship holders by encouraging and accompanying joint activities such as excursions, theater visits or hikes.
