After 72 years, the prestigious name frieze in the Grand Hall (Stora Salen) is gaining new additions. The Academic Society has begun work to highlight additional historical alumni, with the first to be honoured being the pioneer Anna Bugge Wicksell and the Finance Minister Ernst Wigforss. Bugge Wicksell also becomes the first-ever woman to take her place on the frieze.
Among the most prominent symbols of the University’s long-standing heritage is the name frieze – a commemorative honour roll celebrating distinguished alumni whose contributions have shaped our present. The initiative for this tradition was first taken in 1867 by historian Martin Weibull, in connection with the University’s 200th anniversary. Over the years, the frieze has been expanded three times, but since 1953, it has remained unchanged…until now.
In a spirit of renewal and continued celebration of academic and societal progress, the Academic Society has decided to revive the tradition. In preparation for the Society’s upcoming 200th anniversary in 2030, new names are now being added to this distinguished line of academic role models.
A pioneering lawyer and a linguist Finance Minister
The first two names to be immortalised in marquetry* are the pioneering woman Anna Bugge Wicksell (enrolled in 1905) and the Finance Minister and linguist Ernst Wigforss (enrolled in 1899). These two alumni embody both political and academic brilliance, as well as the struggle for a more equal society.
*A decorative art form where pieces of veneer (thin layers of wood or other materials) are applied to a structure to create intricate designs or inscriptions.
Last year, the public was invited to submit nominations, and during the autumn of 2024, a selection committee made the final decision. The committee consisted of Academic Society President Johan Stenfeldt, former Vice-Chancellor Göran Bexell, legal historian Elsa Trolle Önnerfors and Executive Director Maja Kallin. The selection process adhered to strict criteria: candidates must have been enrolled at Lund University and must be deceased. Additionally, the committee aimed for diversity, reflecting the University’s influence on a local, national and international level.
A Tradition that will continue
On 30 November 2024, the new name plaques were unveiled during the Academic Society’s annual celebration. Subsequently, on 23 January 2025, a symposium was held to deepen public knowledge of these two remarkable individuals. The tradition will continue, with additional names being added to the frieze at the 2025 annual celebration, followed by further symposia in their honour.
This initiative is not only a tribute to the past but also an invitation to the future. The public is encouraged to submit nominations for future additions to the name frieze by contacting namnfris@af.lu.se.
The new marquetry name plaques have been crafted by artist Klara Knutsson, serving as a lasting reminder that those who have shaped our society are never forgotten.
“Lund University and the Academic Society carry a rich history, but this history is constantly evolving. By reviving the name frieze, we gain a living reminder that our heritage is not only about the past but also about the future we wish to create,” says Johan Stenfeldt, Associate Professor of History and President of the Academic Society.