The Excitement of the 176th Graduation Ceremony in the 101st Year of Our Republic

In 2024, Marmara University Atatürk Faculty of Education held its 2023–2024 academic year graduation ceremony on Sunday, September 8th, proudly graduating its 176th cohort of students. This special ceremony, coinciding with the 101st anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, meaningfully highlighted both the deep-rooted history and the contemporary vision of the faculty. The event was held at the Mehmet Genç Campus in Dragos and witnessed the enthusiastic participation of teacher candidates, their families, faculty members, and alumni.

The ceremony began with the gathering of students graduating from the faculty’s 20 undergraduate programs. Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Seyfi Kenan, Vice Deans, and academic staff greeted graduates and guests with a ceremonial procession. The graduates then waved to their families and took their seats. Following a moment of silence and the national anthem, Dean Prof. Dr. Seyfi Kenan addressed the 176th term graduates.

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Seyfi Kenan emphasized the faculty’s core mission, nourished by the rich legacy of educational history, saying, “We are grateful to our devoted professors who strive to raise good people and good teachers under all conditions, to the families who support them, and to our self-sacrificing nation.” Recalling the faculty’s journey that began in a modest building in Fatih in 1848, he noted that the changes in location over the years have helped broaden the faculty’s vision in education. He also announced that Atatürk Faculty of Education, which has operated in historic Istanbul neighborhoods such as Çapa, Cağaloğlu, and Göztepe at various times, will move to its new modern campus in Başıbüyük starting in the 2024–2025 academic year fall term.

Highlighting that the transition to the new campus is a kind of test for the faculty, Prof. Dr. Kenan said, “A good teacher adds value wherever they are and creates new value in every setting. With this mission, we will continue our educational journey in Başıbüyük and raise modest, competent teachers in Aydınevler.” He also underscored Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s vision of raising individuals who are “free in thought, free in knowledge, and free in conscience,” and stressed that future teachers should take on the role of guiding people toward a rich inner life. Drawing inspiration from Yunus Emre, he added, “Teachers who act with sound reasoning, a pure heart, and deep sensitivity can nurture great talents even under the most challenging circumstances.”

During the ceremony, the top graduates of the faculty—Zeynep Özkan (Biology Education) and Dilara Usta (Mathematics Education)—along with the second-place graduate Umut Güneş (Social Studies Education), and third-place graduates Taha Can Atlı (Special Education) and Umut Alageyik (Guidance and Psychological Counseling) were presented with certificates of achievement. In addition, department-level top graduates received their certificates from their respective faculty members.

A musical performance conducted by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Uslu, Director of the Institute of Educational Sciences and Chair of the Department of Fine Arts Education, provided guests with a delightful interlude. The ceremony concluded with the professional oath for Psychological Counseling and Guidance, followed by the teacher’s oath led by Dean Prof. Dr. Seyfi Kenan and a cap-tossing celebration. The future teachers experienced an emotional moment as they took their first step into their professional careers.