This June, Vilnius University (VU) concluded another academic year. At the traditional "Finis Anni Academici" celebration held in St. Johns’ Church, distinguished members of the VU academic community were honored. Acknowledgments were given for long-term service, participation in community, societal, and voluntary activities. Symbolic honorary diplomas were also ceremoniously presented at the event.
Finis Anni Academici / VU archive
For understanding and supporting the mission of Vilnius University and providing substantial material support to Alma Mater, the titles of patrons of Vilnius University are awarded.
Posthumously, the patron title is awarded to the Lithuanian-Canadian doctors, dentists, and philanthropists Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskai, who left 7 million Canadian dollars (approximately 4.7 million euros) to the philanthropic endowment fund of Vilnius University. With this new contribution, the fund’s value will double to 9 million euros.
From 90% of the donated funds (about 4.2 million euros), the Angela and Sigitas Kazlauskas sub-fund will be established, with its investment returns ensuring continuous funding for the development of children’s dentistry at Vilnius University, as well as for the improvement of dental studies and research. Up to 10% of the donated funds will be allocated to strengthening the activities of the Vilnius University fund, increasing its awareness, and expanding in North America.
Special thanks were expressed to Dr. A. Kazlauskas’ estate trustee and executor of the will, Algirdas Pacevičius Pace, who traveled from Canada to attend the ceremony. Thanks were also given to businessmen Laisvis Makulis and Rokas Pečiulaitis for their contributions to the success of this historic donation.
During the ceremony, the following members of the VU Faculty of Medicine community were honored:
- Prof. Feliksas Jankevičius – for his long-term dedication to nurturing and strengthening VUL Santaros Clinics, uniting the medical community, and training future specialists.
- Prof. Jūtatė Šipylaitė – for her long-standing efforts in sharing medical and health knowledge with the public, educating the younger generation of media professionals, and improving the Medical studies program.
Acknowledgments from Vilnius University Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas were also received by graduates of the Faculty of Medicine, whose studies and scientific work were recognized with Magna Cum Laude diplomas:
Bachelor’s Programs:
- Robertas Basijokas (Public Health)
Integrated Programs:
- Guostė Stankevičiūtė (Medicine)
- Augustė Senulytė (Medicine)
- Gabija Žilinskienė Vilutytė (Medicine)
- Ugnė Klimavičiūtė (Medicine)
- Augustė Skačelytė (Medicine)
- Kristina Marcinkevičiūtė (Medicine)
- Dominyka Buchovskaja (Medicine)
- Aistė Navakauskaitė (Medicine)
- Ignas Berškys (Medicine)
- Lauryna Abraitytė (Medicine)
- Greta Asadauskaitė (Medicine)
- Gabija Baliukevičiūtė (Medicine)
- Rosita Reivytytė (Medicine)
- Justina Semenkovaitė (Medicine)
- Gabija Tumalavičiūtė (Medicine)
- Gabrielė Lisauskaitė (Medicine)
- Monika Montrimaitė (Dentistry)
- Justė Gladkauskaitė (Dentistry)
Master’s Programs:
- Lavija Žibutytė (Medical Biology)
- Brygida Serebriakova (Systems Biology)
- Kristina Bevainytė (Advanced Practice Nursing)
- Simona Pociūtė (Advanced Practice Nursing)
- Jekaterina Danilova (Rehabilitation)
- Kornelija Rauduvytė (Medical Genetics)
Finis Anni Academici / VU archive
The rector of Vilnius University also presented acknowledgments to members of other faculties – academics and students who have made significant contributions to the renown of Vilnius University. In the VU Library Courtyard, the university flag was lowered – symbolically marking the end of another academic year. The flag will rise again on September 1st, marking the start of a new academic year.
For more information about the "Finis Anni Academici" celebration at St. Johns’ Church, please visit VU news.