Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) brought together its alums with great enthusiasm at the traditional Alumni Day event, held as part of the university’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Organized by the Alumni Coordination Office at the OMU Atatürk Cultural Center, the event allowed alums to relive their memories and renew their connection with the university.

The event was attended by OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, and Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sümer, Alumni Coordinator Dr. Alaattin Altın, Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) Regional Director Halil Emecen, Samsun Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Feyzullah Dereci, Samsun Regional Director of Monuments and Surveying Dr. Ali Saral Sarıalioğlu, along with academic staff, administrative personnel, and OMU alums.

A Memorable Folk Music Concert and a Touching Performance by an Alumna

The program began with a 50th-anniversary commemorative video, followed by a Turkish Folk Music concert by Nahide Saygün Akkal, a vocal artist from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Ankara State Turkish Folk Music Choir. The orchestra accompanying her included Can Karahan (bağlama–dede sazı), Çağatay Erol (classical guitar), Erkan Karabatak (percussion), Erkut Yıldız (bağlama), İlker Karaçalı (percussion), İsmail Yeşilyurt (kemençe–kemane), Muhammet Hatipoğlu (bass guitar), and Oğuz Yılmaz (tulum–kaval).

An OMU alumna who graduated from the Faculty of Education’s Department of Music Education in 2009, Nahide Saygün Akkal received great acclaim for her performance. She became emotional upon recognizing her former instructors, retired Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yaşar Turanlı and retired Lecturer Aynur Özgür, among the audience. Expressing her pride in being an OMU alumna and her gratitude to Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın for the invitation, she also mentioned her honor in sharing the stage again with Prof. Dr. Can Karahan, who had once been her bağlama instructor.

At the end of the concert, Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın presented flowers to Nahide Saygün Akkal, retired Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yaşar Turanlı, retired Lecturer Aynur Özgür, and retired TRT Yurttan Sesler Choir Conductor and bağlama performer Ümit Bekizağa as tokens of appreciation.

Reflections from the Alumni and a Captivating Dance Performance

Alumni then took the stage at the "Open Microphone" session to share their thoughts and reflections. This was followed by an unforgettable folk dance performance by OMU’s Folk Dance Team, champions of the 21st Turkish Folk Dance Competition.

Rector Aydın: “We are honored to host you as the OMU Family”

Beginning her speech by thanking the attendees, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın said,
“On this special day when we allow memories to lead us back in time and take refuge from everyday life on the shores of the past, we, as the OMU Family, are honored to welcome you. Welcome to our Alumni Day, where past and future meet.”

“University life is one of the final stops where one discovers their identity”

Emphasizing that throughout life, some individuals and institutions leave a mark on one's character, Rector Aydın continued:

“We may not fully grasp the impact these people or places have on us while we’re still close to them. Yet, when time and distance intervene, our reflections reveal those who helped shape who we are. Undoubtedly, university life is one of the final stops where one discovers one's identity. During those years, we not only build aspirations for the future but also gather memories to nourish us for a lifetime. Our campus is the garden of hope where seeds of future dreams are sown. Witnessing these seeds blossom into flowers that beautify our country brings us unparalleled joy. Regardless of the unique paths life takes us on, the fact that we can gather again under OMU’s roof shows the strength of our community.”

“You are ambassadors of OMU’s quality and living witnesses of our institutional memory”

Rektör Aydın, “Etkinliğimize katılımınız, birlikte ne denli güçlü olduğumuzu göstermesi bakımından her türlü takdirin üzerindedir. Bugün bu salonda, OMÜ ritmiyle toplu atan kalpleriniz her daim mutluluk hecelesin. Unutmamanızı isterim ki; fakültelerimiz, zamandan ve mekândan bağımsız olarak "bana ait" duygusuyla sahipleneceğiniz eviniz; Dersliklerimiz, hoş gönüllerle yeniden ziyaret edebileceğiniz mazinizdir. Bugün bizleri yalnız bırakmadığınız için her birinize ayrı ayrı teşekkür ediyorum. Nice buluşmalarda tekrar görüşmek dileğiyle.” diyerek konuşmasına son verdi.

Mezunlar Koordinatörü Altın: “Sevgili OMÜ mezunlarımız "yuvanıza" hoş geldiniz”

Rector Aydın went on to say:

“You are not just individuals who received a diploma from this university. More importantly, you are living witnesses of our institutional memory and proud ambassadors of the OMU brand. Each of you has turned the knowledge you acquired here into value in your respective fields, becoming sources of pride. You are role models who inspire our current students to believe, ‘I can do it too.’ I believe this reunion is not just about reminiscing; it is also about reinforcing the spirit of being part of OMU, fueling our excitement for joint projects, and expressing our desire to build the future together. As OMU, we want you to know that we will always stand by your side, just as we have in the past. This is not just the university that graduated you—it is your home, where you are always welcome to enter through the door of science. No matter where you are in the world, we are your academic family, ready to receive your ideas and contributions for the university’s advancement.”

“May your hearts always beat in harmony with OMU”

Rector Aydın concluded her speech by saying:

“Your participation today demonstrates how strong we are together. May your hearts always beat in harmony with OMU. Remember that our faculties are your home to which you can return at any time, and our lecture halls are your cherished past. Thank you for being with us today. We look forward to many more reunions in the future.”

Coordinator Altın: “Welcome home, dear OMU alumni”

Opening the program, Alumni Coordinator Dr. Alaattin Altın stated:

“Today, under the shadow of a half-century-old plane tree, we gather for a special Alumni Day organized in honor of the university’s 50th anniversary. To our dear OMU alumni—witnesses and cherished fruits of this incredible journey that began 50 years ago when the first seeds of our university, named after the torch of liberation lit in these lands, were sown—welcome home!”

“When I look around this hall, I don’t just see faces. I see the memories that rushed through our hallways, the deep conversations in the cafeterias, the sleepless nights before finals, the knowledge shared in lecture halls, and most importantly, the lifelong friendships that began here. For some of us, it’s been years since we left these benches; for others, only a few seasons. But the pride and sense of belonging that come with being an OMU graduate remain as fresh as ever in our hearts.”

“OMU has trained thousands who serve the nation and humanity”

Dr. Altın continued:

“Over these 50 years, our university has built more than just buildings—it has raised scientists, doctors, engineers, teachers, artists, lawyers, and professionals from many fields. Inspired by the stormy waves of the Black Sea and empowered by its connection to the city of Atatürk, OMU has raised tens of thousands of individuals who serve the nation and humanity. And those individuals are you. You are the university’s greatest accomplishment, brightest medal, and strongest reference. We are proud of your success. Every corner of this campus carries your traces and memories. Though the years may have taken you away from these halls, your roots remain here. Alumni Day is an opportunity to feel those roots once again, to renew our bonds, and to witness the strength of the great OMU family. Remember, this door is always open to you.”

“Even after graduation, OMU is always by your side”

Emphasizing the goal of strengthening alum relations, enabling access to university resources, and mentoring current students, Dr. Altın added:

“We want you to know that on this journey, we began with the slogan, ‘Even after graduation, OMU is always by your side,’ we are truly here for you. We encourage you to follow the training and certificate programs offered by our Career Center, Distance Education Center, Continuous Education Center, and other units. I would also like to remind you about our Alumni ID Card program and emphasize the importance of staying in touch by registering in our alum database. Together, we will continue striving to make OMU a brand and research university. As someone who completed my bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies at OMU, I am proud to serve OMU alumni and students as the Alumni Coordinator.”

“As we remember the past, we also look to the future with hope”

Dr. Altın concluded his remarks by saying:

“Today, as we celebrate our university’s 50th anniversary, we both remember the past and look to the future with hope. This half-century-old plane tree will rise even higher with your support and will nurture many more generations. As we celebrate many success stories under this roof, our thoughts and hearts are also with those who cannot share in this joy. We solemnly remember students—especially in Palestine—whose right to education and, most tragically, their right to life has been stripped away due to ongoing human tragedies. In a world where campuses meant to be lit by knowledge are destroyed, and hands meant to hold pens are buried under rubble, we reaffirm our responsibility to work for a peaceful future and to keep the memory of these youth alive. We wish a swift recovery to the wounded and mercy to the deceased.”

The program concluded with the OMU Alumni Card promotional video screening and a special dinner held at the OMU Guesthouse.