Summer Party and 10th Anniversary of the “War and Conflict Studies” Program at the Pan Am Lounge

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, the department celebrated not only its annual summer party but also the 10th anniversary of the “War and Conflict Studies” program. The Pan Am Lounge provided the perfect setting for this special occasion: high above the rooftops of Berlin, we celebrated the summer semester with outstanding service, lively conversation, and a unique atmosphere. Students from all graduating classes to date, as well as faculty members from the Chair and the Institute of History at the University of Potsdam, came together. As in previous years, the guests invited by Professor Neitzel—representatives from the press, politics, the Bundeswehr, and civil society—enriched the event as a special highlight and facilitated valuable networking opportunities and stimulating conversations.
There was music (many thanks to Oliver Günther and his family), conversation, feasting, and dancing late into the night.

Our thanks go to the Military History Support Association, whose financial support made it possible to choose this outstanding venue.

The celebration marked the conclusion of a successful summer semester as well as the first academic year for the current cohorts of the “International War Studies” and “War and Conflict Studies” programs. The IWS class is now heading to Dublin, while many students in the WCS program have exciting semesters abroad ahead of them or are already beginning their master’s theses.

In October, we look forward to welcoming a new class. Before then, however, the department will take a well-deserved summer break, and the 2026–27 academic year will begin with the planned semester kickoff event on October 9.