 In 1954, a little belatedly, Pehnert embarked on a three-year degree level course in journalism at Leipzig University.In 1955 he joined the young country's ruling SED (party).The university's prestigious came under the direct control of the party's powerful Central Committee, and was known informally by the epithet "Red Abbey" (""Rote Kloster""), which was a reference to its faithful support for the party line.