Kastamonu University Faculty of Tourism Dean Prof. Dr. Alptekin Sökmen, who passed away as a result of a sudden illness, was commemorated with respect and longing at the commemoration program held at the Faculty of Tourism Istiklal Road Conference Hall.
Deputy Governor V. Çetin Kılınç, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, the late professor's wife, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alev Sökmen and their daughter Ayyüce Sökmen, academicians, local administrators, and students attended the program, drawing attention to our late professor's contributions to tourism studies in Kastamonu.
The program started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, and then a video about the life of Prof. Dr. Alptekin Sökmen was shown. Afterward, various names were invited to the podium to share their memories of Prof. Dr. Sökmen. Cem Dilimel, Business Manager of Kurşunlu Han, Veterinarian Gül Banu Çiçek Bideci, President of Devrekani Local Action Group Association, Mihriban Tüfekçi, President of Sarı Konak Women's Cooperative, Huriye Boyraz, President of Special Individuals and Families Solidarity Association, Serkan Doğru, Head of KUZKA Unit and Dr. Lecturer from Kastamonu University Faculty of Tourism. Prof. Dr. Muharrem Avcı from Kastamonu University Faculty of Tourism commemorated our deceased teachers by sharing their memories.
Mayor of İhsangazi Municipality Hayati Sağlık and Mayor of Devrekani Engin Altıkulaç also emphasized Prof. Dr. Sökmen's contributions to the region and education in their speeches.
Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, in his speech at the commemoration program, mentioned the critical contributions of Prof. Dr. Alptekin Sökmen to the development of tourism in Kastamonu and stated that his academic legacy will always be remembered. Prof. Dr. Atalan said, ‘Alptekin Sökmen was a person who inspired his surroundings with his knowledge and devotion. His traces will always be felt in our University and Kastamonu.’Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, in his speech at the commemoration program, mentioned the critical contributions of Prof. Dr. Alptekin Sökmen to the development of tourism in Kastamonu and stated that his academic legacy will always be remembered. Prof. Dr. Atalan said, ‘Alptekin Sökmen was a person who inspired his surroundings with his knowledge and devotion. His traces will always be felt in our University and Kastamonu.’
At the end of the program, students and guests were served in memory of the late professor. The participants commemorated Prof. Dr. Alptekin Sökmen and said they would keep his memory and contributions to Kastamonu tourism alive.
