Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Medicine organized an event titled “35th Anniversary Celebration of the 1990 Faculty of Medicine Graduates.”

Held in the Faculty of Medicine Classrooms, the event brought together Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Rector Prof. Dr. Alptekin Yasım, Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Murat Danacı, the academics who served at the Faculty in 1990, and the graduates of that year.

Prof. Dr. Murat Danacı: “I hope we meet in good health, because unfortunately in recent years we meet only when someone is ill”

Speaking at the event, OMU Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Murat Danacı said:
“First of all, I would like to thank my esteemed professors and friends for attending this event. I hope we meet in good health, because unfortunately, in recent years we meet only when someone is ill. Therefore, I am very happy to see you all healthy here today. We also have two young students with us. We wanted to be here together with the youngest generation—our grandchildren, so to speak. I thank you all for your participation once again and welcome you.”

Dr. Nurcihan Yıldırım Başkent: “After 35 years, we are reunited here with the spirit of our 24–25-year-old selves living in our present bodies”

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nurcihan Yıldırım Başkent said:
“Thirty-five years after our graduation, we are filled with great happiness to reunite here—with the spirit of our 24–25-year-old selves now taking form in our current bodies—after receiving this invitation from all across the country. When we heard that this event would be organized, we said we wanted it to take place in the amphitheater where we attended classes. We wanted to relive that excitement of our first year. We also had one more request: for the classroom to be freezing cold. Because in truth, we spent very cold days in this amphitheater. We said, ‘If possible, let’s sit here again with scarves and hats just like the old days.’ Of course, there were friends we could not invite or who would not be able to attend even if invited. They are surely watching us from somewhere—may they rest in peace. Once again, welcome to you all, and I hope the program will be an enjoyable one.”

A total of 55 graduates and 15 retired academics from within and outside the city attended the event. The program included a presentation on the history of the university, photographs from the graduates’ student years, and a video commemorating the academics who taught at the Faculty in 1990 and have since passed away.

The program concluded with a symbolic cap ceremony and a group photo session.