Merit Awards on University Day

The Merit Award is given to outstanding graduates in Education, Science, Social Affairs, Creativity and Sport, a tradition revived on our 140^th anniversary. This years winners were Milena Ilchenko, of the Institute for Social Science and Theology, Anna Lavrinenko, from the Institute for Cross-Cultural Communication and International Relations, Natalia Malykhina, from the Institute of Journalism and Mass Communications, Ilya Romanov, from Mining and Environmental Management, Svetlana Sviridova, from the Stary Oskol Branch, Oleg Skopenko, from the Law Institute, Valeriya Fetisova, from the Medical Institute, Daria Chernomorets, from the Institute of Engineering Technology and Science, Alesia Shevchenko, from the Pedagogical Institute's Faculty of Mathematics and Science Education, Sergei Shevchenko, from the Institute of Economics, and Natalia Yakovenko from the Institute of Management.

In his presentation address, Professor Oleg Polukhin, Rector of the University, commented that the Merit Award is only given to the very best students, saying,

“I am glad that we have revived this excellent tradition that first took form in the Belgorod Teacher Training Institute of the 1880s. In those days it was not easy to earn such a medal. Today it is even more difficult, because now we have to choose the best, not from among 70 people, as in those times, but from 5,000. Moreover, these days we train specialists capable of generating innovative ideas, changing the world around us, and creating technology for the future. All the graduates standing on this stage met these requirements, and can wear their Merit Award with pride.” He then addressed the graduates, saying, “I am sure you will go on to greater things, and I am also sure that your results here will ensure gainful employment, and a successful career.”
He went on to express his gratitude to the parents and teachers who nurtured and supported these exceptional young people, and he urged the recipients to continue to develop professionally, spiritually, and morally, and to set high standards for themselves, wishing them every success.