Farewell After 24 Years: Kurt Hoffmann Says a Quiet Goodbye

On Wednesday, May 14, Prof. (FH) Kurt Hoffmann gave a very personal and extraordinary farewell lecture in the “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall) of the FH Kufstein Tirol. Under the title At the top is knowledge, he took stock of his 24 years of teaching and research - with depth, humor and a lot of heart.

AN UNUSUAL START - WITH MUSIC AND DANCING

The event kicked off with a musical interlude by three colleagues: Prof. (FH) Dr. Johannes Lüthi (piano), Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Woyke (bass) and Prof. (FH) Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Schmiedinger, PhD (trumpet) performed a song they had written themselves to Somewhere over the Rainbow - a gift with a surprise effect that perfectly set the tone for the afternoon: personal, creative and full of appreciation.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF LECTURE

Instead of a classic specialist lecture, Kurt Hoffmann deliberately opted for a final lecture in the true sense of the word - a journey through books, thoughts and socio-critical reflections. He read passages from literature, economic criticism, philosophy and psychology and combined them with personal experiences from his professional life, his time as a works council member, teacher and person affected by the healthcare system.

The selected texts ranged from a much-quoted speech by Robert F. Kennedy and the social significance of the gross national product to critical observations on the role of corporations, growth ideologies and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. The importance of mental health, resilience in working life and the role of teachers in a changing educational landscape were also addressed.

HUMOROUS, CRITICAL AND THOUGHTFUL

With a wink, Hoffmann cited from the book Bullshit, spoke about the difference between knowledge and behavior - and emphasized how important it is not only to impart knowledge to students, but also to unleash potential. A central motif of his lecture was the question: What is worth teaching - and living for?

The concept of money was a recurring theme throughout the event - not only as an economic factor, but also as a social and psychological one. In a short quiz, Hoffmann invited the audience to guess this unifying concept for themselves - including French wine and nerve food as prizes.

A LOOK BACK AT 24 YEARS AT THE FH KUFSTEIN TIROL

Kurt Hoffmann had been working at the FH Kufstein Tirol since March 2001 - as a university lecturer in business-related subjects with a focus on accounting, as Chairman of the Works Council, Academic Director of the MBA Business Psychology course and a committed contributor to the higher education institution. He was also well known to many colleagues as a founding member of the FH band and musical accompanist at parties and celebrations.

Some anecdotes, such as the founding of the band Sound mit beschränkter Haftung (SMB), came to life again that afternoon - as did the humor that characterized his teaching style. A retrospective that made it clear how versatile and committed Hoffmann was in shaping life and work at the FH Kufstein Tirol.

HONORS, MEDALS AND A BIT OF MONOCURTISM

Finally, he himself honored long-time companions with tongue-in-cheek awards such as the golden Kasermandel. The colleagues were not to be outdone: Monokurtism was also proclaimed as part of the event - a charming idea that ends with a humorous commandment: Thou shalt only have one Kurt.

After the lecture, there was a cheerful get-together in the foyer of the “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall). Over drinks, conversations and memories, people celebrated, laughed and bid farewell to a long-serving colleague with great gratitude.

With his last lecture, Kurt Hoffmann once again showed what he stood for as a teacher: for attitude, critical thinking, humanity - and the conviction that knowledge is always more than just knowledge.