Willem van Beelen handing the staff over to Erick van Zuylen. People are quick to see through it if you are acting a role. The other thing is that, as beadle, you have to remain yourself. As the beadle you have to step in and tell them what they have to do, like who has to present the diploma to the candidate. People may well know the protocol beforehand, but on the day itself their nerves can get the better of them and they can forget even the most obvious things. But I will miss the people I’ve worked with.’ Do you have any tips for your successor Erick van Zuylen? The stress of always having everything organised on time is something I won’t miss. ‘After 27 years, now is a good time to stop. When they see me, they know that the defence is over and they heave an enormous sigh of relief.’ PhD candidate Jelle Nijdam receiving instructions. It is one of the happiest times in their lives. You can get married as many times as you like, but getting your PhD is something you do only once. ‘But for me what’s just as special is that I have guided so many young PhDs on the best day of their lives. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered the Freedom Lecture in 2013 in the Pieterskerk. Not forgetting the many royal visits, by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, for example. ‘With total pleasure. I’ve seen just about everyone come and go: from the professors to special guests like Ban Ki-moon or more recently President Poroshenko of Ukraine. How does Willem van Beelen himself look back on his career?