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WHU tradition: Prof. Dr. Michael Frenkel is retiring!
Prof. Dr. Michael Frenkel says goodbye on May 31, 2025 after more than 30 years at WHU - shaping international economic policy.
WHU tradition: Prof. Dr. Michael Frenkel is retiring!
On May 30, 2025, an important chapter will be concluded at the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management. Prof. Dr. Michael Frenkel, one of the university's most influential minds, is retiring. He shaped WHU for over three decades through his teaching, research and commitment to international relations.
Frenkel, born in 1954, began his academic career after completing an apprenticeship in banking and studying economics at the University of Mainz. After completing his doctorate, he worked for several years at the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. before being appointed professor of macroeconomics and international economic policy at WHU in 1993. His expertise and research on international financial markets is internationally recognized, and he has advised institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Commission.
Influence and commitment at WHU
Prof. Dr. Michael Frenkel was elected rector of WHU several times, from 1996 to 1998 and from 2005 to 2014. Under his leadership, WHU became internationalized and achieved important accreditations such as EQUIS and AACSB. He also expanded the range of courses to include new programs, including an MBA, and built a second campus in Düsseldorf.
As Associate Dean for International Relations and Diversity, Frenkel was largely responsible for building the largest international exchange network for students at a German business school. He was also co-founder and director of the Center for European Studies (CEUS) and active in various student initiatives, including the “forumWHU”.
Recognition and outlook
The Rector of WHU, Prof. Dr. Christian Andres, pays tribute to Frenkel's commitment and humanity as he retires. Even as professor emeritus, Frenkel will remain connected to the university.
Frenkel's extensive international experience extends to numerous visiting professorships at renowned universities, including Harvard and Georgetown. He has authored over 100 publications in the areas of macroeconomics and international finance and was responsible for the economic training of young German diplomats in the Foreign Office for many years.
With his diverse work, Michael Frenkel not only shaped WHU, but also had a lasting influence on economic education and research in Germany and internationally. His departure marks a significant moment for the university, which would not be where it is today without his leadership and vision.