The Ring of Honor of WU Vienna is presented very rarely – it has only been awarded to a total of nine recipients so far. According to the award guidelines, it is presented to people who have rendered outstanding services to the university. In his words of welcome, WU Rector Rupert Sausgruber said that Stephan Koren fulfilled these criteria to the highest degree. “He has been and continues to be a great friend and supporter of WU and therefore has a very special place in the WU community. He has accompanied WU along the way for many years with his expertise, he has always been an invaluable advisor, and, most recently, he has also helped steer WU’s development as deputy chair of the University Board,” the Rector said. The laudatory speech was given by former Austrian Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel.

A distinguished business leader and a close friend of WU

Stephan Koren started his academic career in 1982 as a teaching and research associate at the Institute for Economic Theory and Policy at WU Vienna, where he also obtained his doctoral degree in 1984. His professional career trajectory includes cabinet positions at the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs as well as stints as director general at Österreichische Postsparkasse AG, BAWAG P.S.K., Österreichische Volksbanken-AG, and, since 2015, immigon portfolioabbau ag. He is also a member of the General Council of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank and of various supervisory and advisory boards. He has held leadership positions in the Wüstenrot Group for many years, most recently as chairman of the Management Board of Wüstenrot Wohnungswirtschaft. Throughout his career, he has always maintained close ties to his alma mater. In 2013, he was appointed to the WU University Board, where he served as deputy chair until 2023.

Recipients of the Ring of Honor of WU

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