Retirement Ceremony for Prof. Dr. İlhan Yerlikaya, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Communication
A retirement ceremony was held for Prof. Dr. İlhan Yerlikaya, the founding dean of the ERU Faculty of Communication.
ERU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun, President of the Kayseri Journalists Association Metin Kösedağ, Regional Director of the Presidential Directorate of Communications in Kayseri Yahya Tekin, Chairman of the Board of Medyanet Ömer Faruk Hamurcu, Chairman of the Board of the Professional Union of Radio and Television Broadcasters (RATEM) Mehmet Aydın Şerbetcioğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Mustafa Akdağ, academic and administrative staff of the faculty attended the event.
“I am proud of the progress of the Faculty of Communication.”
Rector Altun extended his heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Dr. İlhan Yerlikaya on his retirement, recognizing his valuable contributions to the field of communication sciences throughout his career. He emphasized that Professor Yerlikaya left a lasting mark at Erciyes University through his dedicated efforts in both academic and administrative roles. He expressed his gratitude to Professor Yerlikaya and wished him a retirement filled with health, peace, and happiness.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Akdağ, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, stated in his speech that Professor Yerlikaya had demonstrated an exemplary stance throughout his academic career and that the vision he set forth during the founding of the faculty continues to be upheld. Professor Akdağ said: “I wish him a peaceful retirement and extend my heartfelt gratitude to him.”
In his speech at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. İlhan Yerlikaya shared memories of the founding process of the Faculty of Communication, saying: “The faculty took its first steps with just a desk and a chair. At that time, we set out with a few faculty members and three departments. Later, we established our television studio, news agency, and faculty newspaper. Today, I am proud to see our faculty actively engaged in all areas with 42 academic staff members.”
Emphasizing that he was also proud of the awards and academic achievements earned by the faculty, Professor Yerlikaya said: “These are a great source of pride for us. Witnessing the progress our faculty has made proves that all our efforts were not in vain.”
He also expressed how emotional it was to reunite under the same roof with colleagues he had worked with for many years. He shared his happiness and pride in having contributed to the development of the Faculty of Communication.
At the ceremony, his valuable contributions to communication sciences, his profound academic expertise, and his pioneering leadership were honored with great respect and appreciation by members of the faculty. In recognition of his dedicated service to the university over many years and for shaping the core vision of the faculty, a plaque of appreciation was presented to him by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun.
The event ended with a group photo to mark the significance of the day.