Presentation of the First Oberwolfach Foundation Medal

The Oberwolfach Foundation Medal was awarded for the first time on 10 October 2026. During a celebratory ceremony held during the annual meeting of the Oberwolfach committees, Thomas Peternell, the Foundation's chair, presented the medal to Ralph Eichler.

The Oberwolfach Foundation Medal was created to honour exceptional supporters. With this inaugural award, the Foundation honours Ralph Eichler, Emeritus and former president of ETH Zürich. To commemorate his father, the famous mathematician Martin Eichler (1912–1992), who frequently visited the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach, Ralph Eichler made a generous donation to the Oberwolfach Foundation. This donation supports the Oberwolfach Foundation Fellows program, helping researchers from financially weaker countries and institutions to visit the MFO who would not otherwise be able to afford the journey.

Ralph Eichler, Thomas Peternell
Source: Oberwolfach Photo Collection