ATHENS, Ohio -- An Ohio University honorary doctor of science degree will be officially conferred upon Dr. Volker Bigl, rector of the University of Leipzig in Germany, at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in Galbreath Chapel. Members of the campus community are invited to attend.

A respected physician, Bigl has published more than 180 research papers in neurochemistry and holds memberships in prestigious medical and research organizations, including the international Brain Research Organization and the European Society for Neurochemistry.

Bigl has been rector, or president, of the University of Leipzig since 1997. Under his leadership, Leipzig has become one of the most important institutions of higher learning in the former East Germany and has gained a reputation as a leading academic institution in the united Germany.

Ohio University and the University of Leipzig have a strong, 10-year partnership in the Ohio-Leipzig European Center. The center offers opportunities for Ohio University undergraduate students to live and learn in Germany while gaining university credit and first-hand knowledge of the latest political, economical, social and technological changes in Europe.

"Professor Bigl has been a great friend to Ohio University," said Robert Stewart, professor in Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. "His support for the Ohio-Leipzig European Center and his desire to bring the two universities closer, for the benefit of students and faculty at both institutions, is highly commendable and highly valuable for Ohio University in offering our students greater access to a broadened world view."

Bigl was originally to receive the degree at last spring's commencement exercises but was unable to attend.