2018 Executive Board Christmas drinks reception
More than 2,000 ETH members attended the ETH Executive Board’s Christmas drinks reception this year. The event focused on the end of Lino Guzzella’s term as President of ETH Zurich.
The approximately 1,000 seats in the gymnasium were full as ETH Zurich staff member and Zurich singer Alina Amuri greeted the guests with her song “Pioneers” on the grandstand and via live stream in the additional lecture halls.
Rainer Borer, Head of Corporate Communications at ETH Zurich, hosted the evening. Highlights included Guzzella’s big thanks to all employees for their commitment over the years, as well as personal highlights of his tenure as Rector and President.
Edoardo Mazza, President of the Lecturer's Conference (KdL), spoke about Guzzella’s close ties to ETH Zurich and his constructive interaction with the KdL, while Rector Sarah Springman paid tribute on behalf of the Executive Board above all to his work as Rector and President. Last but not least, staff used a small gesture to say a big thank-you: following the Rector’s cue, everyone put on caps with the ETH logo.
In the second part of the programme, President-designate Joël Mesot symbolically took over the helm from Guzzella. Mesot is really enthusiastic about the university, which is so well positioned due to outgoing President Guzzella’s untiring commitment.
Amuri concluded the event by serenading the guests with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as they went to the traditional drinks reception in the main hall, where everyone could drink a toast to last year’s accomplishments.
Snapshots from the Christmas drinks reception 2018
And here you can view the speeches and contributions: