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The Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the Ģ��ֱ�� is celebrating its 55th anniversary this summer. The celebration will take place on 17 June 2025. Students, alumni and stakeholders are invited to join the festivities. The programme for the day features both a daytime celebration and an evening event.

“In 55 years, we have grown from a handful of staff and students to the largest department at the Ģ��ֱ�� and one of the best in the world,” says the Head of the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Professor Leena Lindström from the Ģ��ֱ��. “It is time to celebrate our journey and the decades of unforgettable moments, connections and insights that have shaped our community.” 

The programme features student culture and architecture

Students are among the department’s most valuable assets, and close collaboration with them takes place in teaching, development, research, and leisure activities. As part of the celebration, students have organised a programme, which showcases decades of student culture.

“It is nice that we students are also involved in the department’s anniversary through various events and on the actual celebration day,” says Veera Häyry, a student at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, who is also the President of the Student Union, Syrinx ry. “The collaboration between students and the department is important, and we appreciate that the department wants to work with us. It shows that we are genuinely part of the department’s community and that we are recognised as members of it.” 

The daytime celebration will take place in the Main Building at the Ģ��ֱ��, designed by architect Alvar Aalto. Sofia Nivarti, an assistant professor at the University of Cambridge, has been invited to speak as part of the programme. In her talk, she will explore the unique relationship between the architecture on campus and its surrounding nature. A native of Jyväskylä, Nivarti trained as an architect at the University of Cambridge and the Yale School of Architecture. Her area of expertise is research related to Aalto. She is particularly interested in the architecture, urban planning and design of Finnish architects Alvar, Aino, and Elissa Aalto.

The daytime celebration will also include a talk by Professor Pekka Lappalainen from the University of Helsinki. He completed his master’s degree in 1991 and his PhD in 1995, both in the field of cell and molecular biology at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science.

Celebrating in a relaxed atmosphere

Although the celebration features official speeches, its main purpose is to bring students, alumni, and staff together to spend time and create lasting memories.

“The celebration will be held in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can enjoy the moment,” says Lindström. “It’s time to get ready to celebrate and create happy, long-lasting memories for years to come.” 

The Faculty of Mathematics and Science is celebrating as well!

The Faculty of Mathematics and Science at the Ģ��ֱ�� is also celebrating its 60th anniversary this autumn. As part of the anniversary celebrations, a diverse programme is being organised throughout the year, including public lectures, seminars, and alumni events, which are open to all. The anniversary year will conclude with the main celebration on 6 November 2025. Faculty staff, alumni, and stakeholders will be invited to the celebration. The programme for the day includes a daytime celebration, activities at the departments, and an evening reception.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Science and the Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the Ģ��ֱ�� hope that any potential donations will be directed to the freshwater pearl mussel research at the Konnevesi Research Station. By donating, you support the research carried out at Konnevesi and help protect this endangered species from extinction.

Congratulations to both the Department of Biological and Environmental Science and the Faculty of Mathematics and Science!