Tuesday, September 17
Arnold Schwarzenegger to receive doctorate in Berlin
The Hertie School is a private university based in Berlin which aims to prepare “exceptional” students for “leadership positions” in government and public policy. Naturally then, on Tuesday afternoon at 15:00, they will bestow an honorary doctorate on the star of Total Recall and Twins, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Apparently, Schwarzenegger has been active in the fight against climate change, since the award is said to recognise his “contributions to the field of governance… sustainability and civic engagement.” The doctorate will be conferred onto the former governor of California by Germany’s Vice Chancellor, Robert Habeck (Greens).
But who are the Hertie School? The motto of the institution is “Understand today. Shape tomorrow.” Notably, they don’t say anything about yesterday, as a quick look over their history might help to explain.
The Hertie School is named for a famous department store owner, Hermann Tietz (Hertie is made from his name, HERmann TIEtz). But Tietz only owned the store until the 1930s when it was “aryanised” and the chief textile buyer George Karg took over the business as mangling director. The Tietz family fled to the US. After the war, a quick compensation was arranged and Karg was allowed to keep the business. Having swindled his way into all this money, he then established the “Hertie Foundation” in 1974. Today, that same foundation focuses its effort on two important and not-at-all-creepy issues: brain research and strengthening democracy. For this purpose, the Hertie School was set up 2003.
So that’s who is honouring Arnold Schwarzenegger today. Congratulations Governator!
Anyone interested in watching the live stream of the event, can catch it here
