More than a century after his birth, Albert Szent-Györgyi remains one of the most influential figures in the University of Szeged’s academic and intellectual legacy. His enduring connection to the University was celebrated once again on September 16, 2026, at a commemoration honoring the Nobel laureate and former Rector. Speakers looked back on his years in Szeged and reflected on his lasting contribution to the University’s intellectual life, before the ceremony concluded with a tribute unmistakably associated with his name: a wreath of paprika peppers laid at his full-length statue.
SZTE’s commemoration of Albert Szent-Györgyi’s 133rd birthday opened on a musical note, with third-year history student Csenge Vadas performing traditional melodies from the Transylvanian region of Gyergyó on a Hungarian zither – a fitting showcase following her recent win in the University’s student arts competition.
Leadership through excellence and renewal
Over nine years of commemorations, Prof. Dr. László Rovó has reflected on Albert Szent-Györgyi’s life and work from many different perspectives. His own years as Rector of the University of Szeged have brought some of Szent-Györgyi’s ideas into sharper focus, particularly those that speak to the responsibilities of university leadership today.
Drawing on Szent-Györgyi’s example, the Rector highlighted the qualities that enable a large institution to thrive. Central among them, he noted, is the importance of entrusting responsibility to people with the right expertise – and, just as importantly, a genuine commitment to their work.
Although Szent-Györgyi served as Rector of the University of Szeged’s predecessor for just one year, his time in the role left an enduring mark. As Prof. Dr. Rovó pointed out, the intellectual and scientific foundations laid during that brief tenure continue to shape the University nearly a century later.
“What was created a hundred years ago cannot, by itself, guarantee an institution’s success for the next hundred. That requires a constant ability to adapt, embrace new developments, and recognize where the next step should lead. Szent-Györgyi’s example shows that scientific excellence, the right conditions to sustain it, and a willingness to continually renew are what enable an institution to thrive in the long term,” Professor Rovó said.
Looking to the future, the Rector emphasized the importance of fostering excellence, opening doors for the next generation of researchers, and ensuring that knowledge continues to be passed from one generation to the next. “As Szent-Györgyi himself once observed, a university must create an environment where research and education can flourish, provide the modern facilities needed to support them, and prepare highly qualified professionals who can put their knowledge to use in society. Beyond this, the University of Szeged must continue to serve as an intellectual center for the wider region,” he added.
A Return to Szeged
The commemoration also looked back to the autumn of 1973, when Albert Szent-Györgyi returned to Hungary – and to Szeged – twenty-six years after leaving the country. On October 12, the University’s main hall hosted a special ceremony in his honor, bringing together guests from Hungary and abroad as the Nobel laureate received an honorary doctorate from the University.
Among those who witnessed that moment firsthand was Prof. Emeritus Mihály Kata. More than five decades later, he shared his recollections of the occasion at the commemoration. “I attended the ceremony as a young pharmacist and had the opportunity to see Albert Szent-Györgyi in person. Since then, I have read many of his writings and books. To me, Szent-Györgyi is not only an outstanding scientist, but also a moral role model,” he said.
The speeches were followed by a tribute with a distinctly Szeged connection. At Szent-Györgyi’s statue, Prof. Dr. László Rovó, Rector of the University of Szeged, and Endre József Nagy, member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the University of Szeged, honored the Nobel laureate by laying a wreath of paprika peppers – a familiar symbol of the scientific achievement that came to link his name so closely with the city.
Csenge Vadas, who had opened the commemoration with traditional melodies from Gyergyó, returned for the closing performance, bringing the ceremony full circle through music. As the commemoration drew to a close, it offered a reminder of just how deeply Szent-Györgyi’s presence continues to be felt at the University. More than a century after his birth, his legacy remains woven into the identity of the University of Szeged – not simply as part of its history, but as a source of inspiration for the generations of researchers, educators, and students who will shape its future.
Source: SZTEinfo
Photo: István Sahin-Tóth
