The School of Philosophy and Letters celebrates its 70th anniversary with an alumni and faculty meeting
The event took place within the framework of the Alumni Weekend.
06 | 10 | 2025
On Saturday, October 4, the School of Philosophy and Letters celebrated its 70th anniversary in the framework the Alumni Weekend. alumni and faculty members quotation on the Pamplona campus to remember the origins of the School, commemorate its seven decades of existence and share future projects.
After a mass in the Amigos Building, the attendees shared a coffee at Faustino, a silent witness throughout these years of so many conversations and anecdotes. In the Magna classroom , some of our alumni and their professors recalled the best moments of their time at the University, in a roundtable moderated by Javier de Navascués, Full Professor of Spanish American Literature. Speakers included Jesús María Usunáriz, Full Professor of Modern History; Montserrat Herrero, Professor of Philosophy; Ignasi Benguría (HIS-COM'15); Iván Sánchez (PPE '24); Blanca Ezponda (PPE '24); Daniel Franco (LEC '21); and Felipe Jiménez (FILG '10).
Among other issues, during the colloquium, they reflected on the role played by the School of Philosophy and Letters in the early days of the University and how its role has evolved within the university project as a whole. They also addressed issues such as the transformation of students over the decades, the consolidation of research, the imprint of the teachers who marked their training, or the most unique anecdotes of their university life. There was also space to remember relevant figures who have passed through the School, to discuss the relevance and necessity of the Humanities in the current context, and to imagine what the School will be like - and what they would like it to be like - in the coming years. On their return to the classroom, the attendees also faced a quiz on the main milestones of these seven decades, with a Kahoot that brought laughter from the audience.
The dean, Julia Pavón, then spoke, expressing her gratitude to the alumni for keeping alive the humanistic spirit that has characterized the School since its foundation in 1955. In her speech, she recalled that this project was born with the vocation to "weave the adventure of human knowledge" and to cultivate a constant dialogue between teachers and students, "attentive to the challenges of each era. She also evoked the teachers who have marked the history of the School and stressed the importance of the Humanities in a changing world, "even if they are not fashionable", as disciplines that allow us to know ourselves and better understand reality. The dean also invited the attendees to report on their time in the classroom, the lessons, friendships and experiences that shaped their university life.
During his speech, he also wanted to dedicate a few words of gratitude to all the people who have made the School's trajectory possible. He thanked those who promoted its first steps, "because with their good work and drive for small and large projects, they have had the virtue of marking the way forward," as well as the professors, graduates and assistants. He extended his recognition "to those who selflessly (benefactors, Alumni Scholarships, Friends and other institutions) love us and support us, making it possible for many dreams to come true".
Returning to the teaching of St. Isidore of Seville, patron saint of the School, he reflected on time as an opportunity to build personality and the meaning of existence, and encouraged the alumni to continue to bear witness to the formative and human value of the programs of study in the humanities. "This School has been and will continue to be an intellectual and timeless pillar of our beloved University," he concluded.
After the projection of a commemorative video, a toast took place, with the desire to continue writing together the pages of our history.
