Professor Dr Klaus Evard studied economics and law at the FU Berlin, the Universities of Lausanne and Innsbruck, as well as the Sorbonne in Paris. He received his doctorate from the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in 1972. Evard founded EBS in 1971 - at the time as the European Business School - with a clear vision: he wanted to create an institution that was internationally orientated and at the same time had a strong practical focus.

In 1971, the first cohort of four students started in Offenbach, and in 1980 he moved the EBS headquarters to Schloss Reichartshausen in Oestrich-Winkel in the Rheingau region. His passion for education, coupled with his extraordinary ability to inspire and motivate students, has influenced and shaped countless careers. Many of his former students now hold leading positions in business and carry his ideals out into the world.
His tireless dedication and innovative spirit laid the foundations for the further development of the university, which has become an integral part of the German higher education landscape.

Evard was always a man of clear words. ‘You can safely forget everything else, but not the friends you made during your studies,’ he said to his students, and to this day the EBS community remains strong and connected far beyond their studies. Despite his success, he remained down-to-earth and passed this attitude on to his students. ‘Whether we have a castle or are housed in the basement is completely irrelevant.’

‘With the death of Professor Dr Klaus Evard, EBS Universität has not only lost its founder, but also an outstanding personality who decisively shaped the values and spirit of our institution. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire us. Our thoughts are with his loved ones,' said Günther H. Oettinger, President of EBS Universität.