On November 25, the Department of Geomorphology and Geoecology, the Faculty of Geography, celebrated its 90th anniversary. The teaching staff and students of the Faculty of Geography, the graduates and veterans of the department, as well as the students of the geographical shift of the Galaxy 64 Centre for Talented Children gathered in the Assembly Hall, SSU Bldg. 10.

‘It is great that the teaching staff of all departments of the Faculty of Geography are congratulating us. Today, we are having a friendly meeting with our colleagues, friends, and groupmates. Modern students have the opportunity to communicate with the graduates of the department from other times,’ Chair of the Department of Geomorphology and Geoecology Victor Gusev addressed the audience.

The celebration ceremony was attended by the oldest members of the teaching staff of the faculty Elena Krivonosova and Siraphima Lapina, as well as a graduate of the department Tatyana Gorbovskaya. Elena Krivonosova had worked at the department for more than 30 years. The veteran of the department noted that a very warm atmosphere had prevailed among the staff of the entire faculty and the department in particular. The staff of the department had had good and sincere relations with their colleagues and students, and dynasties of geographers had appeared at the faculty. She hoped that the students would also love the faculty, department, and work, and would not forget their friends and teaching staff of the Faculty of Geography.

Victor Gusev recalled the history of the establishment and development of the department, which opened in 1933 as part of the Faculty of Geology, Soil, and Geography. The organiser and the first chair of the department was Associate Professor Vladimir Luzin. In 1938, the department became part of the newly opened Faculty of Geogrpahy and was soon reorganised into the Department of Geodesy and Cartography. In 1960, the department was transformed into the Department of Geomorphology and Geodesy. In 1991, it began majoring in research in geomorphology and geoecology. Victor Gusev spoke about the teaching staff of the department – geodesists, geomorphologists, and cartographers.

Vice-Rector for Secondary Vocational Education and Social Work, Associate Professor of the Department of Geomorphology and Geoecology Olga Nesterova congratulated her colleagues on the anniversary and presented letters of appreciation to the teachings staff and students for their active participation in the faculty affairs.

The awards were received by the staff of the department – Chair of the department Victor Gusev, senior teachers Lubov Bezvershenko, Victoria Kopnina, Pavel Shlapak, associate professors Vladimir Danilov and Anna Zatonskaya, as well as students Polina Andryushchenko, Alexandra Prokushkina, and Sophia Sazonova.

Dean of the Faculty of Geography Vladimir Makarov congratulated his colleagues on the anniversary of the department. He called the Department of Geomorphology and Geoecology one of the most unusual and outstanding. ‘Firstly, the department is older than our faculty. Secondly, it has changed its name more often than others. But, changing the name, the department has always adhered to two areas in science and training – geodesy and cartography, geoecology and geomorphology. The flickering of the names around these areas suggests that the department has always provided a basis for further advancement in studies and research,’ Vladimir Makarov noted.

He presented letters of appreciation for active work to Senior Lecturer Valeria Morozova, Engineer Tatyana Balashova, Leading Engineer Olga Lapsheva, technicians Sophia Sazonova and Ekaterina Spiridonova, as well as students Anastasia Ageyeva, Dennis Davydov, Polina Kolesnikova, Kirill Kovalyov, and Tatyana Sharko.

Chair of the Department of Meteorology and Climatology Maxim Chervyakov and Chair of the Department of Economic and Social Geography Anna Zatonskaya congratulated their colleagues on the anniversary. They gave congratulatory addresses to the department and hoped its staff would remain high-level specialists and a friendly family.

The hosts of the celebration ceremony, students of the Faculty of Geography Alyona Ruzanova and Dmitrii Duvakin, conducted a quiz among the most active guests. In honour of the anniversary of the department, the students of the Faculty of Geography showed humorous performances and showed videos. In the video greetings contest, Group 131 took third place, Group 231 – second place. The first were the students of Group 331. People’s Choice Award was awarded to Group 431.

The department was congratulated by its graduates of different years. Egor Nerobeyev performed the author's song, and Alexandra Nikulina sang The Wind of Change.

Traditionally, third-year students solemnly handed over the flag of the department to the second-year ones. After passing the interzonal internship in the new year, the sophomores will have to make a patch with the name of the internship place and pass the flag to their followers.

The guests of the event were immersed in their memories and showed archival photos and videos from lectures and seminars. At the end of the celebration ceremony, the audience sang the song The River Flowed By together.

Watch the recording of the event broadcast here.