Award Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg for alumnus Andreas Fath

We congratulate our alumnus Prof. Dr Andreas Fath on being awarded the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg. He was one of 24 people to be honoured for his special social commitment at the beginning of May 2025. According to the state's citation, he is exceptionally committed to water protection and the fight against microplastic pollution.

Chemistry professor and passionate long-distance swimmer Andreas Fath repeatedly attracts attention with spectacular swims through rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe in the service of water protection. During his long journeys, he analyses water samples and collects valuable data on water quality. He also organises workshops and press events to raise public awareness of water protection. As Managing Director of H2Org gGmbH and ambassador for the “Cleanup” project, he is also actively committed to a plastic-free environment and preventing the littering of water bodies.

Andreas Fath began studying chemistry at the University of Heidelberg in 1986 and was awarded his doctorate here in 1996. He is still closely associated with his alma mater today. He has repeatedly offered film screenings for members of Heidelberg Alumni International, followed by Q&A sessions about his projects: in the month or year, he showed the documentary “Two Rivers – One Mission” at the Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA), which follows his swim on the Rhine and the Tennessee River; and in autumn 2024, a film documentary about his crossing of the Danube, during which he swam around 2,700 kilometres through ten countries, was shown at the Gloria cinema. “Two Rivers – One Mission” was also streamed at the last HAUS National Meeting in 2024. HAI says thank you and congratulations!