'They were fighting for Motherland' war memorial was opened in Penza State University on March 7th, 2015, to honour the 428 soldiers and officers who had been studying or teaching at the university and fought in the war with Nazi Germany. Today, out of these 428 people only 25 war veterans and 56 home front workers are alive.

     The opening ceremony was attended by people of different ages and groups - war veterans, students, university teachers and administration, civil servants, members of the regional government. A. Gulyakov, the rector, stressed the importance of showing respect to the commitment and courage of the WWII military and civilians who contributed to the great victory over one of the greatest threats of the 20th century.

      This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory in the devastating war that claimed the lives of 26.6 million Soviet people, those who died in action, from wounds, killed on the occupied territories or slaughtered in concentration camps.  It was estimated that if a minute of silence were held in commemoration of each fallen in the war, then we would have to remain silent for 50 years. The history of Penza State University is closely linked with the events of the war as it was founded in 1943 and was drawn into the home front activities.

     WWII memorial consists of several composite panel boards with golden engravings of the names of war participants. The university staff came up with the idea of the memorial, the administration financed its development, which cost 3 million roubles. According to tradition, red carnations and large green wreaths were laid in commemoration of war participants.