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The Mundheim family equals excellence. Both Guna and Roberts were born in Europe in the early 1940s, but the winds of change carried the families across the ocean. During their lifetime, both have built highly successful careers, and continue to promote the excellence of the University of Latvia (UL) students on their way to success.
“I think that everything is based on education – it forms our world, as well as allows us to help our society and country. I always admire Latvia for its endurance, success, stance and spiritual world. Latvia is a wonderful place for me. If I can help even a little, in my opinion, it is through educational opportunities for young people,” says patron Guna Mundheim (née Šmitchens), who supports UL since 2013 with her husband Roberts Mundheim, promoting the development of research and learning environment at the University of Latvia, as well as encouraging personal and academic growth of promising students.
UL biologists and chemists who inspire
In cooperation with the University of Latvia Foundation and “Friends of the University of Latvia”, the most successful students of the Faculty of Biology or Chemistry of the University of Latvia receive the Mundheim Family Excellence Scholarship. So far, five talented, determined and enthusiastic students of exact sciences, who have continued their master’s level studies at UL with experience in research, have received their support.
One of the first recipients of the Excellence Scholarship in the academic year 2013/14 was the chemist Mārtiņš Balodis, who, after graduating from the University of Latvia Faculty of Chemistry, received a red diploma of excellence twice – at both the bachelor’s and master’s level. Mārtiņš is currently continuing his research, as he studies at the prestigious Swiss Technical University EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) for the 2nd year, and his primary research interests are related to the solid-state of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In his doctoral studies, M. Balodis is engaged in the development of methods for determining the structure of organic compounds using NMR.
Mundheim family scholarship grantees –scholarship recipient in acad. year 2018/19, molecular biologist Eva Emīlija Česle (photo from personal archive), scholarship recipient acad. year 2017/18, chemist Aija Trimdale and scholarship recipient acad. year 2013/14, chemist Mārtiņš Balodis (photo from the UL Foundation private archive).
“I believe that the Mundheim Family Scholarship was an important pillar in my life, which enabled me to get to where I am now, and I am very grateful for that,” says Mārtiņš Balodis. Currently living in Switzerland, one of his hobbies is vacations spent hiking and travelling, whereby he discovers the world – he just returned from China. However, his daily passion is gym attendance on regular basis. Mārtiņš shares his experience while studying at the University of Latvia: “My priority at the time of receiving the scholarship was my studies. Fortunately, I received the Mundheim Family Scholarship, and permitting me to master the study material in sufficient profoundness. It helped me achieve my study goals, and I graduated with honours. My academic achievements later allowed me to enrol in one of the most prestigious Swiss technical universities – EPFL.”
The Excellence Scholarship recipient in academic year 2018/19 was a molecular biologist Eva Emīlija Česle, who, simultaneously with her excellent studies at the Faculty of Biology of the UL, is also a part of a soft-rock group “Skinny Cheese”, takes care of her hometown’s cultural life. With a group of like-minded people, she organized the festival “Limbizkvīts” in Limbaži, and she also sings in a choir. Eva shares her experience about the support in both personal and academic life: “Receiving the scholarship was a huge acknowledgement from the faculty, the UL Foundation and patrons, giving me confidence that I have chosen the right academic path. The scholarship allowed me to focus on studying and working in the laboratory, reducing the burden of daily concerns. In the spring semester, the scholarship helped to gain new knowledge and experience during my exchange studies in Denmark, and I will be able to apply my skills acquired there, as I return to research work at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. I would like to express my gratitude to the Mundheim family for their support!”
Alliance of excellence and generosity
The Mundheim family currently lives in New York, USA. Guna was born in Riga, but her family roots extend to Baldone. During World War II, she and her family became refugees and fled to the United States, and finally in 1949 arrived at the United States. She calls the University of Pennsylvania her alma mater, where he obtained her higher education in both science and arts. She first studied chemistry and worked in the field of biochemistry, but for many years Guna Mundheim also painted and successfully participated in several local exhibitions. She developed her talent while continuing her studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and has also worked as an instructor in the field of art. She developed a career as a painter, working with watercolour, oil and also with mixed media. During her career, the artist has won dozens of awards. Guna’s works are included in many private collections, as well as shown in exhibition halls in the USA, the Latvian National Museum of Art, as well as in the collection of the Global Center for Latvian Art in Cēsis. Guna Mundheim is a member of the board of the charity organization “Friends of University of Latvia” (founded in 2012) and takes care of a brighter higher education in Latvia, supporting the construction of the UL House of Letters and the UL Business Idea Foundation.
Our patron Robert Mundheim is a world-renowned American lawyer and Professor Emeritus of Law and Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. The Mundheim family’s origins can be traced back to Germany, but in the aftermath of World War II the family emigrated to the United States in 1939. He completed his higher education in law with honours at Harvard University. Throughout his life, he has worked in leading positions in his field. The professor has received numerous significant recognitions and awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed upon him by American Lawyer magazine in 2014. It is the most prestigious award honouring US lawyers. In 2007, Mundheim was awarded Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The professor continues to work persistently in many fields, including working for a law firm in New York, lecturing at the University of Arizona, and serving as a board member of several non-profit organizations. R. Mundheim’s determination and success is truly inspiring – the University of Pennsylvania Law School, at which he was a long-time dean, has rightfully dedicated a Chair of Honour to Professor R. Mundheim.
About the University of Latvia Foundation
Since 2004, the UL Foundation provides an opportunity to patrons and cooperation partners to support both the University of Latvia and other leading higher education institutions of our country, thereby investing in the future of Latvia. The priorities of the UL Foundation are to support the most outstanding, dedicated students and researchers, to advance creation of a modern study environment, as well as to promote construction and refurbishment of university’s buildings.
About “Friends of the University of Latvia”
Since 2012, the non-profit organization “Friends of the University of Latvia” has been uniting American citizens of Latvian origin – supporters of the University of Latvia. It is the partner organization of the UL Foundation, founded by the initiative of John J. Medveckis. By donating to this Foundation, US citizens can receive tax deduction. The main task of the foundation is to ensure a brighter future for Latvian education.
