The meeting participants
The Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering held a reunion for the class of 1996 to mark the graduation 30th anniversary. After decades, former students gathered at their beloved university to see each other, reminisce about their years of study, and revisit the places where their professional journeys had began.
Elena Romanova, Head of the scientific and technical library leading a tour
The guests were greeted by Galina Tokunova, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management and Professor at the Department of Management in Construction. The alumni were given a tour of the university. They visited the museum and library, walked along familiar corridors, and visited the Academic Council Hall.
In the library. In the center is Galina Tokunova.
One of the meeting's main guests was Viktor Borisovich Zverev, a man whose professional biography is inextricably linked with the university, having dedicated over 50 years to working at SPbGASU. In 1969, he joined LISI (now SPbGASU) as a senior laboratory assistant at the Department of Construction Materials. He later worked as a senior engineer in the research sector, defended his PhD dissertation, became an associate professor, head of the Department of Construction Materials, and head of the Construction Materials Testing Center. He also headed the Faculty of Civil Engineering for over 20 years as the dean.
Viktor ZverevIn addition, Viktor Borisovich served as Acting Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs in 2013, during one of the most intense and importants periods – the university’s accreditation.
– Typically, preparation for accreditation takes several years, but I have been appointed acting vice-rector literally six months before it began, but we successfully passed this test,” he recalls.
Today, Viktor Borisovich is 81 years old. He hadn't been to the university for several years, so returning to the familiar walls was especially emotional for him.
– Of course, if you worked here your whole life, you'll have a variety of memories – both good and difficult ones,” he shared.
During the tour, Viktor Borisovich looked around the university's renovated spaces with interest and noted the changes in the Academic Council Hall:
– Formerly known as Lenin Hall, the space has since undergone significant renovations, becoming modern and convenient for conferences and meetings.
Speaking about his years at the university, Viktor Borisovich admitted that SPbGASU became more than just a place of work for him, but an important part of his life.
– "A dean is more than just a position. Every day, people come to you with their questions, problems, and concerns. And teachers must always remember that they work for the students, and not the other way around," he emphasized.
According to alumni, it's the teachers and the university atmosphere that remain the most important part of their student memories decades later. Class leader Roman Pavilainen explained that preparations for the reunion took a long time.
– "Since I was the class leader, I decided to gather everyone for the 30th anniversary of the graduating class. The search took a long time. The last person was found literally two days before the meeting," he shared.
The alumni especially wanted to see Viktor Borisovich Zverev.
– I wrote in the general chat: "Guys, who do you want to meet at the university?" Everyone wrote only one name: Zverev. We walked through the institute, and people kept greeting him. A true legend.
The alumni admit that studying at LISI/SPbGASU became the foundation for their professional success. Some went on to pursue careers in the construction industry, while others found careers in economics, management, and investment. The class leader explained that after graduating, he continued his education and later became involved in real estate investment.
– Theory and practice are, of course, different. But without the foundation provided by university, it's impossible to move forward. After graduation, you continue your studies at "the institute called life," noted Roman Pavilainen.
At the end of the meeting, the alumni stayed together for a long time, taking photos, discussing their student years, and reminiscing about the professors who influenced their professional and life paths. Thirty years later, the university once again brought together people for whom SPbGASU remains a permanent part of their personal history.
