President awards decorations to nine University of Tartu staff members

As the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia approaches, President Alar Karis bestows Estonian state decorations to 151 people, nine of whom are members of the university family. 

"They are all united by their loyalty to the principles we want Estonia to hold: democracy, justice, wisdom, consistency, kindness, entrepreneurship and understanding," the head of state emphasised. 

The Order of Merit of the White Star, Fourth Class, was awarded to 

• Carri Ginter, Associate Professor in European Law and sworn advocate;
• Andres Kuusik, Professor of Marketing, founder of UT Neuromarketing Laboratory, idea founder of business festivals Startup Day and Delta economic conference; 
• Ain Raal, Professor in Pharmacognosy, researcher in herbal medicine; 
• Tambet Tampuu, lecturer at the School of Law and former judge of the Supreme Court of Estonia;
• Aune Valk, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, promoter of higher education and teacher training. 

The Order of Merit of the White Star, Fifth Class, was awarded to 

• Paul Hagu, Associate Professor emeritus at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, ethnologist and cultural promoter in Setomaa;  
• Mari Karm, Associate Professor of Higher Education Teaching and Senior Specialist for Academic Development, long-time Estonian language teacher and educational scientist; 
• Sulev Kuuse, Vivarium Manager at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. 

The Order of the Estonian Red Cross, Second Class, was awarded to Aare Märtson, Head of Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Professor in Orthopedics.

The President of the Republic of Estonia will present the decorations on 21 February at the Estonian National Museum. Estonian Public Broadcasting will broadcast the event on 24 February. 

The University of Tartu congratulates the recipients of the decorations!