Zeppelin University (ZU) is an independent, privately-funded and highly-selective research university in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The university was founded in 2003. Zeppelin University has the legal form of a non-profit, limited liability organization and calls itself "university bridging business, culture and politics". Thus it stresses the multi-disciplinary character of research and teaching that is an integral part of its self-image. It is named after the German general and airship constructor Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin. Since its foundation the university has been managed by Professor Dr Stephan A Jansen. Well-known professors at Zeppelin University include: Dirk Baecker, Peter Kenning, Stephan A. Jansen, Klaus Schönbach, Nico Stehr, Heinrich Wilms, Birger Priddat, Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, Guy B. Peters, Helmut Willke, Joachim Behnke. In August 2007, Birger Priddat was appointed president and managing director of the Witten/Herdecke University.