Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) 2025-2026 Academic Year Faculty of Fine Arts and Faculty of Sport Sciences Graduation Ceremony was held with great enthusiasm and pride. Emotional moments were experienced during the ceremony, which was attended by a large number of participants, as students and their families crowned years of hard work with the joy of graduation.

The ceremony held at Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal, senate members, academic and administrative staff, students, and their friends.

The program, which started with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, continued with the faculty valedictorians’ speech.

A Meaningful Speech by the Faculty of Fine Arts Valedictorian Sever on Behalf of All Graduating Students

The Valedictorian Miraçnur Sever took the floor on behalf of all graduating students. Highlighting the pride she feels to graduate as the valedictorian of the faculty, Sever stated that she didn’t just get and academic and artistic education during her years at BEUN but got experience in the social and cultural fields. Emphasizing that she commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the honorable martyrs, Sever expressed her thanks to all academics and family for their support and her friends who shared the excitement of graduation.

Emotional Speech by Faculty of Sport Sciences Valedictorian Koca

Following the Faculty of Fine Arts Valedictorian’s speech, Faculty of Sport Sciences Valedictorian Yasin Koca gave his speech. Emphasizing that they weren’t just trained academically throughout their years at the faculty, but learnt discipline, struggle, team spirit, and determination, Koca thanked his family and teachers who supported him.

Expressing his gratitude to all his professors, particularly Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Koca concluded his speech with a quotation from Atatürk “I admire athletes who are intelligent, agile, and moral” and wished success to all his friends.

Dean Topuz: “We Are Educating Young People Who Will Carry the Light of Art into the Future”

Following the speeches of the graduating students, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Prof. Dr. Adnan Topuz, took the podium. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Topuz stated that since its establishment, the Faculty of Fine Arts has been equipping the future with qualified artists, designers, and educators through its educational approach centered on art. He also noted that throughout their education, the students had achieved significant accomplishments through exhibitions, projects, and competitions, and that they were embarking on their future careers carrying not only an aesthetic perspective but also a sense of cultural responsibility fostered by art. Expressing his gratitude to the university administration, especially Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, for their contributions to the development of the faculty, Topuz congratulated the students and their families and wished the graduates a future filled with success.

Dean Çelik: “We Are Sending Our Students into the Future with Outstanding Achievements”

Speaking at the program, the Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences, Prof. Dr. Hakan Çelik, stated that the Faculty of Sport Sciences continues to grow stronger each year through its academic and sporting achievements. Emphasizing that the students have become a source of pride for both the university and the country with the distinctions they have earned in national and international competitions, Çelik expressed his confidence that they would achieve even greater successes in the future. Prof. Dr. Çelik also thanked the academics, especially Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, for their support in the students’ development, and congratulated all graduates and their families.

Vice Rector Bakkal: “Our Students Proudly Fly Our Crescent and Star Flag Across the World”

Taking the podium to deliver a speech on the significance of the day, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal stated that BEUN is among the well-established institutions of higher education and expressed the following remarks:

“Our University opened its doors to the world 102 years ago under the name Zonguldak Higher School of Mining Engineering. Through engineering education, it has pioneered the development of our country and, with more than 100,000 graduates, has made significant contributions to the nation’s progress. Today, we continue to educate young people who will serve our country and humanity in all fields, from sports to art, and from education to healthcare. The students of our Faculty of Sport Sciences make us proud with the achievements they attain both in Türkiye and around the world. Our national athletes proudly fly our crescent and star flag by winning World and European championships in many branches, including taekwondo, judo, and kickboxing. Likewise, the distinguished students of our Faculty of Fine Arts represent our University in the best possible way through the success they achieve in art projects, exhibitions, and competitions. On this occasion, I would like to thank our academics, especially our Rector, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, who contribute to the cultural, artistic, and sporting development of our students and guide them in their journeys. I congratulate our students, who will become the artists, sports professionals, and educators of tomorrow, and wish them success, health, and happiness in their future lives.”

Faculty Valedictorians Hammered Their Names into the Graduation Log

Following the speeches, the valedictorian of the Faculty of Fine Arts for the 2025–2026 Academic Year, Painting Department student Miraçnur Sever, and the valedictorian of the Faculty of Sport Sciences, Physical Education and Sports Department student Yasin Koca, hammered plaques with their names onto the ceremonial log in the presence of their families, leaving their achievements as a lasting mark in the history of the University.

As part of the program, plaques and certificates of achievement were presented to Miraçnur Sever, who ranked first, Melisa Kütükçü, who ranked second, and Umut Onan, who ranked third in the Faculty of Fine Arts; and to Yasin Koca, who ranked first, Arda Önez, who ranked second, and Hicran Doğdu, who ranked third in the Faculty of Sport Sciences.

Graduation Oath and the Joy of Tossing Caps

As the program continued, symbolic diplomas were presented by academics to students graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Sport Sciences. This was followed by the graduation oath ceremony.

Following the oath ceremony, students celebrated their graduation with great enthusiasm and excitement by tossing their caps into the air and sharing their joy with their families, friends, and academics. As families filling the hall applauded their children with pride, the graduation celebration was marked by emotional and memorable moments. The program concluded after commemorative photographs were taken to mark the occasion.