Statuta Collegii Sapientiae

Statuta Collegii Sapientiae

Today, 51 different endowments support the studies of students and scholars at the University of Freiburg. The oldest, established only decades after the university itself, is the Collegium Sapientiae or “College of Wisdom”, which provides housing and a stipend for poor students at the university and was established by the son of a poor weaver, Johannes Kerer. The Gothic structure that housed the original twelve recipients of the scholarship still stands in the Herrenstraße and is marked by a plaque. Today, the modern dormitory in the Lorettostraße houses hundreds of students including many international students. The rules governing their life, which consists of 88 articles illustrated by masterfully designed and lovingly colored miniatures that gives us a glimpse into the life of a student in the late-15th century, are preserved in this manuscript from 1497.

The Life of Johannes Kerer

Johannes Kerer was born in Wartheim, Franconia and was able to attend the University of Heidelberg after receiving a scholarship, earning an advanced degree. He enjoyed a successful career in academia and died a relative wealthy man capable of supporting students who came from similar circumstances. Kerer came to Freiburg in 1457, the year the university was established, and taught theology while also serving as the city pastor at the cathedral. He later became the auxiliary bishop of Augsburg, where he died in 1507, but his gravestone was eventually transferred back to Freiburg where he was revered for his charity.