On June 19, the most important event of the academic year—a graduation ceremony—took place at the Kaunas Lutheran Holy Trinity Church. 68 bachelor’s and 49 master’s students received their diplomas at the celebration. Vilnius University bachelor’s and master’s diplomas were presented to the graduates by Vilnius University Pro-Rector for Studies Assoc. Prof. Dr. Valdas Jaskūnas and Dean of the Faculty Assoc. Prof. Dr. Giedrius Romeika.
The graduation ceremony featured an inspiring speech by Vilnius University Pro-Rector for Studies Assoc. Prof. Dr. Valdas Jaskūnas. Congratulating the graduates, the Pro-Rector emphasized that the value of the university is not limited to professional knowledge alone – it is a place where one discovers and realizes one’s true calling. V. Jaskūnas wished not to be afraid of the challenges that await in the future, to be confident in oneself and not to be afraid of changes: “The university is an immeasurable space of opportunities, which is created and changed by rebellious hopes. You need to have a very vivid imagination to call Vilnius University rebellious. Still, the paradox lies in the fact that instead of rebelling itself, it ignites rebellious hope in the heart of every student. It arises from the desire to know what is unknown, to experience what is not experienced, and to make mistakes that we will make anyway. Without it, there would be no openness to the world, to our own and others' future. However, this hope alone is not enough. It must be nurtured, transformed into a new reality, change and be changed. Therefore, use the opportunities that open up to you and be sure – you will never be ready for changes. And if you feel ready – there will be no changes.”
The guests were also congratulated by the Dean of the Vilnius University Kaunas faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Giedrius Romeika. On behalf of the faculty, symbolically thanking the graduates’ family members and friends for their patience and support, he promised to return the students’ time, thoughts and emotions devoted to their studies. The dean emphasized that the VU Kaunas faculty is always open to returning: “A new stage of life begins, in which a Vilnius University diploma opens many new doors all over the world. And even though the world is getting wider, I just want to remind you of one thing – you are always welcome in our common academic home.”
The graduates were congratulated at the celebration by Prof. Dr. Daiva Aliūkaitė, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs of the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University; Prof. Dr. Danguolė Satkauskaitė, Director of the Institute of Languages, Literature and Translation Studies of the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University; Lina Fedorčenkienė, Lecturer of the Bachelor's study programme English and Other Foreign Language (Swedish); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurgita Astrauskienė, Chair of the Bachelor's and Master's study programmes Audiovisual Translation; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rita Baranauskienė, Chair of the Bachelor's study programme Lithuanian Philology and Advertising and the Master's study programme Public Discourse Linguistics: Media Rhetoric and Communication; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Skirmantė Šarkauskienė, Chair of the Master's study programme Lithuanian Literature and Creative Writing; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eglė Keturakienė, Lecturer of the Bachelor's study programme Lithuanian Philology and Advertising and the Master's study programme Lithuanian Literature and Creative Writing. Congratulations were also extended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ilona Kiaušienė, Chair and Lecturer of the Bachelor's Study Programme Economics and Management, Prof. Dr. Asta Mikalauskienė, Lecturer of the Master's Study Programme Marketing and Sales Management, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ingrida Šarkiūnaitė, Chair and Lecturer of the Master's Study Programme International Business Management.
The celebration was also attended by social partners of the Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty: Giedrė Petrilionienė, a graduate of the Lithuanian Philology and Lithuanian Literature programmes and Head of the Sales Administration Department at „Artea“ Bank, and Rimas Valungevičius, Director of the Data and Information Technologies Department at the State Energy Regulatory Council. Both guests congratulated the graduates and shared their insights and words of encouragement.
On behalf of their fellow graduates, speeches were delivered by Margarita Jacinavičiūtė, a graduate of the Bachelor's Study Programme Audiovisual Translation, and Viktorija Butvinskaitė, a graduate of the Master's Study Programme International Business Management, Rejoice Denteh from Ghana and Sandra Minojare from Nigeria.
The festive mood was created by Andželika Martinkutė, a third-year student in Audiovisual Translation, and her musical compositions.
This year’s graduating class stood out for its exceptional academic achievements. During the ceremony, special recognition was given to the top-performing students who completed their studies with honours.
Bachelor’s students:
Margarita Jacinavičiūtė, Audiovisual Translation, Magna Cum Laude;
Saulėja Visockytė, Audiovisual Translation, Magna Cum Laude;
Julija Stanelytė, Economics and Management, Cum Laude;
Justė Urmilevičiūtė, Economics and Management, Cum Laude;
Ieva Uržaitė, Economics and Management, Cum Laude.
Master’s students:
Salvija Dubosaitė, Audiovisual Translation, Magna Cum Laude;
Kamilė Pernarauskaitė, Lithuanian Literature and Creative Writing, Cum Laude;
Miglė Štabokaitė, Marketing and Sales Management, Cum Laude;
Viktorija Butvinskaitė, International Business Management (English), Cum Laude;
Dominyka Radzevičiūtė, International Business Management (English), Cum Laude;
Kornelija Pisankaitė, Public Discourse Linguistics: Media Rhetoric and Communication, Cum Laude.
We are delighted to share in our graduates’ joy and wish them every success as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. Remember that your Alma Mater will always welcome you back with open arms.