Caroline Pauwels, late rector of the Free University of Brussels who died earlier this month after a long battle against cancer, has been honoured with a portrait wall in the university’s memorial wall.
Pauwels died on 5 August, shortly into her second term as rector, of cancer of the stomach and oesophagus.
A popular personality, who also made headlines after her diagnosis, she was described in the university’s own tribute as “a visionary and inspired rector, an inspiring and warm personality”.
Pauwels was born in Sint-Niklaas in June 1964, and died in Jette on 5 August this year. She originally studied philosophy, followed by communications, which became her speciality. She was elected rector in 2016, only the second woman to win the post, after historian Els De Witte (in post 1994-2000).
The memorial wall has the backing of the university. "We will miss Caroline at the VUB enormously, but we will always carry her in our hearts," said Jan Danckaert, her successor as rector. “She has made the VUB a warm, connected and compassionate university.”
"I congratulate her with pleasure," said Paul De Knop, her predecessor as VUB rector. "The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a large, liberal institute to which I have pledged my whole heart. It is a wonderful and momentous task to lead such a large and important institution with so many great researchers, passionate employees and so many talented students. I see a bright future for the VUB."
