The Universidad Rafael Landívar marked its 64th anniversary with a ceremony that reaffirmed its commitment to education, research, and social outreach in Guatemala. Since its establishment in 1961, the Jesuit-inspired university has focused on human dignity, freedom, responsibility, and service.
As part of the celebration, the university awarded an honorary doctorate in Legal and Social Sciences to Carmen María Gutiérrez Solé de Colmenares. The P. Andrés Pozzo S.J. distinction for artistic merit was given to Dieter Lehnhoff Temme. Both were recognized for their significant contributions to society and for embodying the spirit of service and commitment associated with Ignatian values.
Carmen María Gutiérrez Solé de Colmenares is a graduate of the first class from the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences at Universidad Rafael Landívar. She has spent over fifty years teaching and advancing legal thought in Guatemala. She became the first woman to serve as vice dean and later as dean of her faculty, as well as the first woman in her academic unit to receive this honorary doctorate.
Her career includes co-authoring “Introducción al Derecho” and holding roles in both public and private sectors, such as serving as Alternate Magistrate in the Family Appeals Chamber and at the Constitutional Court. During her speech at the ceremony she said: “Es una emoción muy profunda, un agradecimiento inmenso, y espero poder continuar con mi labor docente por algunos años más.” She encouraged students “a mantener viva la mística landivariana, ejerciendo con ética, defendiendo la verdad, el respeto al Estado de Derecho y el reconocimiento de la dignidad humana.”
Dieter Lehnhoff Temme received recognition for his work preserving Guatemalan musical heritage through research and teaching. He founded institutions such as the Institute for Research and Advanced Studies in Musicology "Monsignor Luis Manresa Formosa S.J." His book “Creación musical en Guatemala” is used internationally in academic programs across America and Spain. In his remarks he stated: “Les invito a conocer la cultura que tenemos en común, leyendo, escuchando y observando todo esto que significa la herencia de todos los guatemaltecos, porque es una herencia de una riqueza invaluable.”
The rector of Universidad Rafael Landívar, Miquel Cortés Bofill S.J., addressed attendees by saying: “Estamos conmemorando el legado de un pasado inspirador, confiados en superar los desafíos de un futuro prometedor. Festejo junto a la comunidad educativa del Sistema Universitario Landivariano, los 64 años de misión universitaria, contribuyendo mediante la calidad y la excelencia académica a la transformación de la sociedad y del mundo.
Sigamos haciendo el bien y haciéndolo bien”
The event highlighted not only individual achievements but also served as encouragement for future generations to address current challenges with wisdom and commitment while upholding values central to Universidad Rafael Landívar’s mission.
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