Fifteenth anniversary of the University Department of History

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Day of the University Department of History was solemnly celebrated, which also marked the fifteenth anniversary of the Department. The celebration program began with a mass celebration in the University Chapel led by Monsignor Ivan Šaško, Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb, in concelebration with the Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity and Mission of the Croatian Catholic University, Prof. Ante Crnčević, Assoc. Prof. Richard Pavlić and Assoc. Prof. Odilon Singbo from the University Department of Theology, and the University Chaplain, Rev. Branimir Jagodić.
 

In his homily, Monsignor Šaško emphasized how wonderful it is to see this space of the university chapel, which was once a shooting range, thus transformed into the foundation, the cornerstone and the presence from which the university tree of the HKS with its first study - history - grew. "In several places in the Holy Scriptures there are direct and harsh images - especially prophetic ones - that describe people, groups and individual people who do not want to listen to God. This is a description of arrogance and unwillingness to be taught, to be sensitive to God who gives his word, himself, his Covenant; to God who wants to change you for your good and joy; who wants to renew you. On the occasion of celebrating the anniversary of the study of history, we will easily notice how the word of God proclaimed today teaches us an approach that connects history and the present, with consequences that cut into the living tissue of our mutual relations and the future of nations... Every good historian will look for signs of persons, events, phenomena, but it would be good if we as Christians did not overlook the leaven that is given by the Bread of Life. In the formation of societies, economic and political systems; in magnificent buildings, in the achievements of science and in works of art of any kind, it is possible to find either the human longing for the Bread of Life or the leaven of the kingdom of heaven. In both epochal changes and in the changes of epochs, the same mystery remains that requires historians with open hearts, eyes and ears, so that they can encounter and present first the temporal meaning, but ultimately the horizon that gives the meaning of temporality," concluded Msgr. Šaško.
 

The formal academic ceremony, moderated by Veronika Novoselac, assistant at the University Department of History, continued in the “Blessed Alojzije Cardinal Stepinac” hall. Following the Croatian national anthem, welcome speeches were delivered by Mons. Šaško, Vice-Rector for Organization and Business Affairs Prof. Gordan Črpić, and the Head of the University Department of History, Assoc. Prof. Mario Kevo. In addition to vice-rectors, department heads and deputy heads, many students and faculty members, the celebration was also attended by: Prof. Dr. h. c. Emilio Marin, the first professor emeritus of the Catholic University of Croatia and a member of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences as well as the Scientific Council of the Holy See for the Evaluation and Promotion of the Quality of Ecclesiastical University Studies; Prof. Mario Cifrak, Dean of the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb; Assoc. Prof. Tomislav Krstičević, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb; Assoc. Prof. Denis Barić, Head of the Institute of Religious Sciences of the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb and prebendary of the Zagreb Cathedral Chapter; Prof. Miroslav Akmadža, Director of the Croatian Institute of History in Zagreb; Assoc. Prof. Josip Mihaljević, Deputy Director of the Croatian Institute of History in Zagreb; Assoc. Prof. Gordan Ravančić, Deputy Director of the Croatian Institute of History in Zagreb; Dr. Ljiljana Dobrovšak, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social Sciences "Ivo Pilar" in Zagreb; Prof. Ivica Šute, Head of the Department of History at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb; Prof. Ante Nazor, Director of the Croatian Memorial-Documentation Center of the Homeland War; and other distinguished guests.
 

Vice-Rector Črpić recalled the early days—not only of organizing the history program but also of the University itself, as the two are closely connected. From its very beginning and the first meetings, the history program was planned as the University’s first study program, and fifteen years ago it opened its doors to its first generation of students. “Many people supported us in those efforts, and we are especially pleased to see that the first rector of the Catholic University of Croatia, now Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb, Mons. Ivan Šaško, has joined us today. Fifteen years ago, we started with 41 students; today, our University has nearly 1,500, and the rest is history,” emphasized Vice-Rector Črpić.
 

Head of Department Kevo also greeted all those present and reported on the achievements of the University Department over the past year. He reflected on the growth and development over the past 15 years—from the first generation in 2010 and a single study program to today, when more than 300 students have completed their studies, and several single- and double-major programs are offered at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. He also announced plans for additional reformed and new double-major programs. “A special thanks goes to all of you here today—each of you, in your own way, through advice, knowledge, dedicated work, or in some other form, has contributed to building our University Department,” Kevo concluded.
 

The anniversary celebration was also an opportunity to express gratitude to those who played a special role in the development of the Department over the past 15 years. A total of five certificates of appreciation were awarded: to Mons. Ivan Šaško, the first rector of the Catholic University of Croatia; Prof. Jure Krišto, the first head of the University Department; Assoc. Prof. Ines Sabotič, the first head of the University Department of History (2012–2014) and Vice-Rector for Education at the Catholic University of Croatia (2014–2020); Prof. Miroslav Akmadža, Director of the Croatian Institute of History in Zagreb, who has continuously encouraged collaboration between the University and the Institute; and Ms. Stanislava Rogić, special advisor to the rector, without whose guidance the Department’s successes would not have been possible.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of departmental awards. In the category of best academic performance in the 2023/2024 academic year, the following students were recognized:

• For the 1st year of the undergraduate program in History: Renato Kozarić, with a weighted grade point average of 4.951
• For the 2nd year of the undergraduate program in History: Leon Brnad, with a weighted GPA of 4.869
• For the 3rd year of the undergraduate program in History: Iva Mihekovec, with a weighted GPA of 4.800
• For the 3rd year of the undergraduate program in History: Kristina Martinelli, with a weighted GPA of 4.407
• For the 1st year of the graduate program in History: Martina Špilek, with a weighted GPA of 5.000
• For the 1st year of the graduate teacher training program in History: Vedran Muhvić, with a weighted GPA of 4.393
• For the 1st year of the graduate double-major program in History: Irena Mladić, with a weighted GPA of 4.308
• For the 2nd year of the graduate program in History: Luka Božinović, with a weighted GPA of 4.542

In the category of best master’s thesis defended in the 2023/2024 academic year, the award was given to Stjepan Lovrić for his thesis The Influence of Football, Especially the Football Club 'Hajduk', on the Socio-Political Development of the Dalmatian Region in the Interwar Period (1918–1941), written under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Mario Kevo.

The award for best extracurricular involvement in the 2023/2024 academic year was presented to Martina Špilek, a second-year student of the graduate History program.

Following the conclusion of the formal academic ceremony, an exhibition titled 15 Years, 15 Stories was opened on the first floor of the University. Prepared by the students who are members of the History Students’ Club Homo volans, the exhibition offers insight into what the University Department of History represents—its most significant moments, milestones, and the people who have shaped it. Each of these fifteen stories offers a valuable testimony to the path they have built: the challenges they overcame, the achievements they proudly attained, and the sense of community that guided them. The exhibition was designed with special care and the intent to leave no one out or single anyone out, but rather to highlight the richness of shared experience that shaped them and forms the very heart of the Department.