Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh receives silver medal of honor

Photographer: Bas van Hattum

During the Utrecht 1636 Dinner of the University Fund on February 12, President of the Executive Board Hans Brug presented the silver medal to Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh. The silver medal is awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to Utrecht University.

Under Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh's chairmanship, the Utrecht University Fund has undergone remarkable development. He not only brought administrative stability to the fund during and after the coronavirus pandemic, but above all, gave it new meaning. Under his leadership, the fund grew into a vibrant community where alumni, students, researchers, and friends of the university connect with each other through a shared commitment to science and society.

Generous for generations

Since becoming chairman, Lodewijk has made every effort to ensure the fund is an indispensable link in the alma mater's relationship with all alumni worldwide: Utrecht for life. For life, that was his mantra. He managed to deepen the bond between the university and its alumni by not limiting the conversation to giving and receiving, but by speaking about shared values ​​and identity. In his view, the Utrecht University Fund is not a collection of donors, but a community of generations that inspire each other: "generous for generations." In doing so, he brought a new awareness to the organization – the realization that donating to the university is primarily an act of connection. Furthermore, Lodewijk saw Utrecht University as the place where critical global citizens are formed. As is well known, this has become one of the guiding principles of Utrecht University's strategy as a whole.

Lodewijk's chairmanship was characterized by his ability to look beyond the obvious. Where others sometimes saw the limits of what was possible, he recognized the space for innovation. He knew how to entice people to think bigger – not by imposing convictions, but by guiding the conversation. Under his leadership, the Utrecht University Fund acquired a contemporary profile: anchored in its rich tradition, yet with an open mind toward the future.

Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh combined vision with calm, practicality with imagination. He gave meaning to the university's role as a breeding ground for critical global citizens, and positioned the fund in that light: as a link between past and future, between generations sharing knowledge and responsibility.

Thanks to his efforts, there is now an organization that not only raises resources for talent and research, but also connects stories, relationships, and beliefs. An organization that brings the university's values ​​– openness, curiosity, and social engagement – ​​to life in an inspiring way.

The Utrecht University Fund, and with it Utrecht University, owes him a great debt of gratitude for this. His chairmanship leaves a legacy of meaning, connection, and generosity – a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.