The Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) 2025-2026 Academic Year Faculty of Communication and State Conservatory Graduation ceremony was held with great enthusiasm and pride. During the ceremony, which witnessed the graduation excitement of young students who will shape the future of communication and arts, emotional moments were experienced as students, and their families shared the joy of seeing years of hard work rewarded.
The ceremony held at Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center was attended by BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz, senate members, academic and administrative staff, students, and their families.
The program began with a moment of silence in memory of the nation's martyrs and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem, followed by the screening of the university’s introductory film.
Emotional Speech from Faculty of Communication Valedictorian Yılmaz
Faculty of Communication Valedictorian Beyzanur Yılmaz gave a speech on behalf of all graduates. Emphasizing that graduation is not an end but a turning point opening doors to new beginnings, Yılmaz stated that friendships and memories created during this period will last all their lives. Highlighting that they look forward to the future with hope, Yılmaz expressed her gratitude to her family for supporting her all her life, academics, her friends, and those who contributed to the organization of the graduation ceremony, particularly Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and wished success to all her graduating friends.
Faculty of State Conservatory Valedictorian Yalçın: “Today, We Bring Our Student Years to a Close”
State Conservatory Valedictorian, a student from the Department of Stage Arts Fatma Sinem Yalçın gave her speech following the Faculty of Communication Valedictorian.
Emphasizing that the years at school and the faculty are not only about the education but a life experience, Yalçın stated that performance arts not only taught her about acting but also listening, understanding, empathy and perceiving life from various perspectives. Thanking all the academics for their efforts, Yalçın concluded her speech with the following:
“Today, we bring our students years to a close. Every end is a rehearsal for a new beginning. Now we act for the first time following years of rehearsing life. May our path be open.”
Dean Çeştepe: “We Are Proud to Raise Individuals with Strong Communication Skills”
The Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Hamza Çeştepe emphasized that communication is the most strategic field of today’s world. Highlighting that they raise qualified individuals who will lead the society, adopt true information as a principle, and prioritize ethical values, Prof. Dr. Çeştepe thanked university administration, particularly Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for their contributions to the development of faculty.
Director Kömürcü: “Graduates Will Contribute to Humanity Through the Universal Language of Arts”
Director of State Conservatory Prof. Dr. İlker Kömürcü stated that art is one of the most important values that represent the memory and the soul of society. Emphasizing that conservatory students worked hard with discipline and dedication for years, Kömürcü said that he wholeheartedly believed that they would contribute to humanity through the universal language of arts. Prof. Dr. Kömürcü thanked Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his support to the State Conservatory and congratulated all graduating students and their families.
Rector Özölçer: “You Will Leave a Lasting Mark with Your Knowledge, Art, and Pen”
In his speech on the significance of the day, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated that graduation ceremony is not the end of the education process but a representation of new beginnings:
“Today, we witness a remarkable time where years of dreams meet the effort, hard work on the sleepless nights turn into success, academic knowledge is crowned with a diploma. I am honored to share the joy in the eyes of the students, excitement in their hearts, and their hopes for the future. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we are glad to graduate tens of thousands of students with our deep-rooted history. Our university continue to raise young people leading the future of Türkiye in many fields from arts to communication. We are honored to see off the valuable graduates of Faculty of Communication and State Conservatory.
I hope that all our students graduating from the Faculty of Communication and State Conservatory will benefit from the richness of our culture. May our history be your guide and literature be your friend. You are the representatives who will carry the culture, art and knowledge of this esteemed nation into the future. You are respectable individuals who will leave a lasting mark with your knowledge, art, and pen and who will leave memorable works and memories behind. May your path be fruitful. I wish you all health, patience, and success.
Valedictorians Put Their Names on the Ceremonial Log
Following the speeches, 2025-2026 Academic Year Valedictorian of Faculty of Communication Beyzanur Yılmaz and Valedictorian of State Conservatory Fatma Sinem Yalçın nailed their name plaques on the ceremonial log in the presence of their families leaving a lasting mark on the history of the university. As part of the program, the top ranking student of the Faculty of Communication Beyzanur Yılmaz, second ranking student Aleyna Budak, and third-ranking student Ayça Aydoğdu; top ranking student of State Conservatory Fatma Sinem Yalçın, second-ranking student İlyas Onur Gayret, and third-ranking student Furkan Bostancıoğlu were presented with plaques and certificates of achievement.
Graduation Oath and Cap Toss Celebration
The ceremony continued with symbolic diploma presentations by faculty members to the graduating students. This was followed by the graduation oath, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Akdal, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Communication. After the oath, students celebrated their graduation with great excitement by tossing their caps into the air, sharing the joy with their families, friends, and professors. Emotional moments were experienced as the future teachers, now ready for their new lives, left the hall accompanied by applause. The program concluded after commemorative photos were taken to mark the occasion.
