Historic visit highlights strong bond between MUDEC, Grand Ducal family
Grand Duke Henri met with Miami students, faculty, and staff on Luxembourg campus
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Published
Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri visited students, faculty, and staff of the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center on Sept. 19. (Photo provided by Claude Piscitelli)
Historic visit highlights strong bond between MUDEC, Grand Ducal family
•
Published
Students, faculty, and staff on Miami University’s Luxembourg campus were part of a historic visit in September.
The farewell tour for Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri made its way to the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) on Sept. 19. The Grand Duke stopped at MUDEC’s Château de Differdange prior to the upcoming transfer of power on Oct. 3 to Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg’s royal family.
Raymond Manes, executive director of MUDEC, noted this was Grand Duke Henri’s first time at the Luxembourg location, though he had previously visited Miami’s Oxford campus throughout the years.
In 1993, Grand Duke Henri received an honorary doctorate in laws degree from Miami. The university also awarded honorary degrees to two other members of the Grand Ducal family: Grand Duke Jean in 1979 and Prince Guillaume in 2018 during MUDEC’s 50th anniversary celebration.
“This is definitely a bond that remains very important,” Manes said of the relationship between Miami and the Grand Ducal family.
MUDEC is named for Dolibois, a 1942 Miami graduate and former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. On his trips to the overseas campus, Dolibois would often visit with the Grand Ducal family.
During the Grand Duke’s trip to MUDEC, Manes talked of the mutual history between the family and Miami.
“I emphasized the bridge between the past and the future and the connections we’ve shared,” Manes said. “For our students and faculty, this was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. They realized the importance of it.”
Grand Duke Henri sat in on two classes; Luxembourg 101, which is an introductory course, and Luxembourg 201, which focuses on regionalism in Europe.
The grand duke also met with a group of 10 students, who shared their different perspectives. This was followed by a reception where Grand Duke Henri spoke with MUDEC students, faculty, and staff.
Manes reached out to the Grand Ducal family to coordinate the visit. Also in attendance were Stéphanie Obertin, minister for digitalisation, research, and higher education, and Guy Altmeisch, mayor of Differdange.
“I thought it would be the right moment,” he said. “His Royal Highness enjoyed the visit, and for students to be in the presence of the Grand Duke, that certainly made an impact. The experience is something spectacular.”
The farewell tour for Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri made its way to the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) on Sept. 19. The Grand Duke stopped at MUDEC’s Château de Differdange prior to the upcoming transfer of power on Oct. 3 to Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg’s royal family.
Raymond Manes, executive director of MUDEC, noted this was Grand Duke Henri’s first time at the Luxembourg location, though he had previously visited Miami’s Oxford campus throughout the years.
In 1993, Grand Duke Henri received an honorary doctorate in laws degree from Miami. The university also awarded honorary degrees to two other members of the Grand Ducal family: Grand Duke Jean in 1979 and Prince Guillaume in 2018 during MUDEC’s 50th anniversary celebration.
“This is definitely a bond that remains very important,” Manes said of the relationship between Miami and the Grand Ducal family.
MUDEC is named for Dolibois, a 1942 Miami graduate and former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. On his trips to the overseas campus, Dolibois would often visit with the Grand Ducal family.
During the Grand Duke’s trip to MUDEC, Manes talked of the mutual history between the family and Miami.
“I emphasized the bridge between the past and the future and the connections we’ve shared,” Manes said. “For our students and faculty, this was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. They realized the importance of it.”
Grand Duke Henri sat in on two classes; Luxembourg 101, which is an introductory course, and Luxembourg 201, which focuses on regionalism in Europe.
The grand duke also met with a group of 10 students, who shared their different perspectives. This was followed by a reception where Grand Duke Henri spoke with MUDEC students, faculty, and staff.
Manes reached out to the Grand Ducal family to coordinate the visit. Also in attendance were Stéphanie Obertin, minister for digitalisation, research, and higher education, and Guy Altmeisch, mayor of Differdange.
“I thought it would be the right moment,” he said. “His Royal Highness enjoyed the visit, and for students to be in the presence of the Grand Duke, that certainly made an impact. The experience is something spectacular.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center? Visit the website for more information.
