Record number of guests took part in Academic Ceremony celebrations
This year's Academic Ceremony was themed around Carl Linnaeus, providing a consistent motif throughout. Linnaeus's motto, "Marvel at everything, even the most commonplace", was also the opening words of vice-chancellor Peter Aronsson at this year's ceremony.
- Our photographer Johannes Rydström treats us to a photo bonanza from both the ceremony and the subsequent dinner. Link till Facebook post with pictures >>
The entire ceremony week was imbued with the spirit of Linnaeus, featuring permanent and temporary exhibitions and the LinnéTalks series. The floral decorations also adhered to this theme, showcasing plants, flowers, and leaves transitioning through the four seasons.
"When curiosity burgeons, it leads to a search for systematics and the order behind phenomena. Today, we celebrate academia’s collective efforts over time. Particularly during the last year, with 40 000 students enhancing their Bildung and abilities on our programmes and courses within our broad range of expertise. With 1 256 published articles, we've reached a number higher than ever before, a series of value-creating collaborations, donations, and external contributions at levels we've never seen before", said vice-chancellor Peter Aronsson in his opening address, reminding us that the Academic Ceremony is about honouring some of the foremost representatives in this.
In total, ten new professors were installed and 31 new doctors were awarded their doctorates. Sawmill entrepreneur and former Vida CEO Christer Johansson was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Technology and received a diploma, doctoral ring, and hat.
Badges of merit
Four members of staff received Linnaeus University's badges of merit for outstanding contributions to the university, and Stephen Hwang, the former vice-chancellor of Linnaeus University, was awarded the Linnaeus University medal for individuals who have made special contributions to the university.
Each year, the municipalities of Växjö and Kalmar award Stora Linnéstipendiet to a researcher at Linnaeus University. The prize of SEK 500 000 is intended to support Linnaeus University's research within sustainable ecological development. This year's recipient, Björn Lindenberg, a researcher at the Department of Mathematics, received the scholarship for his project "AI algorithms for climate-smart agriculture".
Dinner and entertainment
Once the ceremony was concluded, a banquet was held on campus in Växjö for nearly 500 invited guests.
"It's a record. We've never had this many seated guests before, and it's fantastic that so many wanted to join us in this celebration. As a result, the entertainment had to be performed from surrounding staircases and balconies, which turned out to be very successful", says Nanny Fransson, Linnaeus University's event coordinator and master of ceremonies.
The speech to the doctors was held by Bodil Petersson, dean at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the professorial address was given by Andreas Nordin, professor of pedagogy.
The entertainment was provided by the classical violinists and young brothers, Christian, 18, and Daniel Iourtchik, 15. They played the piece Navarra by Pablo de Sarasate, accompanied by pianist Elena Vozniuik.
The female blues collective Ladies Got The Blues performed Can't Let You Go by Sugar Pie DeSanto.
The ceremony began with Linnaeus's festive march, performed by Lyckå Brass Quintet.
Doctors and honorary doctor conferred
Honorary doctor
Christer Johansson
Honorary Doctor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Technology at Linnaeus University
School of Business and Economics
Pär Vasko
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
David Calås
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
Martin Ludvigsson-Wallette
Doctor of Economics in Business Administration
Shqipe Gashi Nulleshi
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Lisbet Andersson
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science
Elin-Sofie Forsgärde
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science
Alexandra Gerogianni
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Science
Carina Petersson
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science
Sara Wireklint
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science
Maria Nilsson
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science
Prasad Anaspure
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
Amanda Heath
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Linda Ljungholm
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science
Jeanette Lindahl
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Daniel Ihrmark
Doctor of Philosophy in English with Specialisation in Linguistics
Faculty of Social Sciences
Marcus Weckström
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work
Natia Gamkrelidze
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
Elizaveta Kopacheva
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
Richard Andersson
Doctor of Philosophy in Pedagogy
Evelina Möllenborg
Doctor of Philosophy in Pedagogy
Helén Egerhag
Doctor of Philosophy in Pedagogy
Faculty of Technology
Mohammed Louriki
Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics
Nils Fagerberg
Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry Industrial Production Systems
Winton Mmari
Doctor of Philosophy in Building Technology
Magnus Persson
Doctor of Technology in Forestry Industrial Production Systems
Björn Lindenberg
Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics
My Villius Zetterholm
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer and Information Science
Sebastian Hönel
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer and Information Science
Ia Williamsson
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer and Information Science
Per Nordin
Doctor of Technology in Forestry Industrial Production Systems
Charlotta Håkansson
Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry Industrial Production Systems
Professors installed
Rickard Ulmestig
Professor of Social Work
Carina Elmqvist
Professor of Nursing Science
Martin Holmberg
Professor of Computer Science
Christina Öberg
Professor of Business Administration with Specialisation in Consumer Marketing
Marie Källkvist
Professor of English with Specialisation in Didactics
Martin Bader
Professor of Forestry Management with Specialisation in Forest Ecosystem Services
Ola Ståhl
Professor of Design
Katarina Schenker
Professor of Sports Science with Specialisation in Pedagogy
Andreas Nordin
Professor of Pedagogy
Linda Fälth
Professor of Pedagogy
Daniel Alvunger
Professor of Pedagogy
Badges of merit
Magnus Forslund, senior lecturer in Business Administration
Award for researcher or research student who have made outstanding contributions to societal driving force or for Linnaeus University in the world
Susanne Sandberg, associate professor at the Department of Marketing and Tourism Studies
Award to distinguished teacher for pedagogical skill
Kajsmari Engdahl, study counsellor
Award for outstanding administrative achievement
Hans Grönqvist, professor of economics
Award to distinguished researcher
Stora Linnéstipendiet 2023
Björn Lindenberg
Researcher at the Department of Mathematics, for his project "AI algorithms for climate-smart agriculture".