On September 1, Student Square in the campus was full of freshmen from all the SSU institutes and faculties. This day is a landmark for them, because they are on the threshold of a completely new life, which is called studentship.
Vladislav Kovalenko, a 2023 graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, became the host of the line-up.
Traditionally, at its beginning, there took place the ceremony of hoisting the flags of Russia, Saratov Region, Saratov State University. They were raised by Dean of the Faculty of Law Galina Komkova, Chair of the Department of Dynamic Modelling and Biomedical Engineering Anatolii Karavayev, as well as a student of the Faculty of Economics, the commander of the SSU Staff of Student Brigades Sergei Kulik.
The first-year students were addressed by SSU Rector Aleksei Chumachenko. He spoke about the glorious pages of the history of Saratov State University and paid attention to the name of the Russian philosopher and thinker Nikolay Chernyshevsky.
‘Dear first-year students, it is from today that you are rightfully considered students of Saratov State University named after Nikolay Chernyshevsky. You are becoming students in a very significant year for us, because on October 7, 1923, that is, almost 100 years ago, it was decided to name Saratov State University after Nikolay Chernyshevsky. Chernyshevsky has done a lot to establish a university in Saratov. He paid great attention to the development of education and argued that an educated society started with the education of young people. This is what Saratov State University has been doing for 114 years and has been doing it successfully,’ Aleksei Chumachenko said.
In the final part of his speech, the rector again turned to Chernyshevsky’s wise words. ‘The historical significance of every Russian is measured by their merits, and human dignity is measured by patriotism. Love our university, your region, and your country. Study, become professionals, and do everything for the prosperity of Russia!’
The guest of the holiday was the owner of the Hero of Labour of Russia honourary title, Honoured Teacher of Russia, 1981 graduate of the Faculty of History, SSU, Lyudmila Kornilova. She told the line-up members a touching story how she herself had stood at the festive line-up as a freshman many years ago, how she had studied at the university. Also, she thanked her teachers – Rimma Struchalina and Tatiana Negulyaeva who had given her valuable knowledge.
‘September 1 is celebrated as a national holiday in our country, because everyone waits for this day – first-graders, future school graduate, and you, first-year students. The fact is that you are now in that wonderful time when you have a unique opportunity to master your future profession and become worthy citizens of your state. Let your record books be red because of top marks, let your social life be full of events! I wish you all peace, kindness and prosperity!’ Lyudmila Kornilova concluded her address.
On Knowledge Day, we held the traditional laying of flowers to the Chernyshevsky statue and to the Memorial to the SSU and SSMU staff and students who died during the Great Patriotic War.
Every year, the highlight of the holiday is the ceremony of awarding first-year students with a symbolic student ID and a record book. This year, Rector Aleksei Chumachenko handed them over to a 1st-year student of the Faculty of Psychological, Pedagogical, and Special Needs Education, a graduate of Gymnasium No. 31, an activist of the Movement of the First, a prize-winner of the Discovery research festival Ksenia Mikhina and a 1st-year student of the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, a gold medal owner of the Rovenki Gymnasium No. 1 named after G.S. Shonin, the People's Republic of Luhansk, a winner of the Republican Olympiad in mathematics, a member of the Guard team of the Alexander Banner youth historical forum Ivan Sigitov.
The festive programme included performances of the SSU creative groups – Art-mix, Light, Tet-a-Tet, and the SSU Vocal Band.
The official part of the line-up in honour of Knowledge Day smoothly turned into an unofficial one. During it, 1st-year students participated in interactive games and contests that helped them plunge into the atmosphere of creativity and fun. Read more about the unofficial part of the line-up here.
Find the photo album dedicated to the event in the official SSU group in VK.
