South Ural State University is a place where people not only gain new knowledge or learn a profession, but also build families. The most solid relationships are born namely during student years.
Denis Shevchenko met his sweetheart Arina Pridon 5 years ago, at a rehearsal of the Victory Waltz patriotic flashmob, when they both were students of SUSU. As fate would have it, they were lined up as a dance pair, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Denis completed his studies at the university in 2023, and Arina is the 2026 graduate. While still studying at SUSU, the girl kept dreaming about climbing up to the observation deck in the spire tower of the main academic building to get a bird's-eye view of Chelyabinsk.
"I came up with this idea quite a long time ago. I had met Arina at SUSU during the Victory Waltz flashmob, in which we had participated five times in total. But the day we had had met on had been Aril 12th, Cosmonautics Day, that's why I thought it would be very symbolic to propose on the roof – closer to space. And Arina had really wished to climb up there," the young man says.
The surprise prepared by Denis worked out really well! But he had had to do his best to succeed: the future groom had addressed Anastasiia Lapo, the SUSU Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs, with his idea. Together they had climbed up to the spire tower, selected the location and come up with a legend about an excursion group (the SUSU media team played their role). It all had had to look natural!
"Family is the most important thing in our life. That's why our university supports its students' and graduates' wish to build one. Many young men propose at the university square. But today we've made a step further: Denis suggested that we organize this event at the observation deck with a beautiful view over our city. Of course, we supported him since it is important for us to help our students and graduates make their wishes come true," explains Anastasiia Lapo, Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs. "The proposal itself has come as totally unexpected for Arina. She has been very surprised. And I believe those sincere and vivid emotions will not only create great mood, but will help keep our university in their memory for the rest of their lives. Now SUSU is a place where their family has been born."
Everyone have felt the excitement: the groom, the photographer, the videographers, and the people who have been cheering for the couple. But the bride has uttered the precious "Yes" right beneath the clouds!
"I haven't expected such an event happening today at all. At first I thought that it was a surprise trip somewhere, but when the taxi driver specified the destination address, I was really puzzled – why we would need to go to SUSU in summer? When at the university, we started ascending in an elevator, and next our way led up the stairs towards the roof. At that moment I realized that my dream was probably about to come true. As part of the excursion group (I totally believed we were one) we headed towards the observation deck. And there Denis proposed to me. I didn't expect that at all, but I'm really happy now!" the girl shares her impressions.
Our congratulations to Denis and Arina on their engagement! We wish them a long life together filled with endless love and happiness!
SUSU embraces its students’ wish to build a family and provides various types of support, including by creating the infrastructure required for student families. Starting from December of 2025, a mother-and-child room has been functioning at the university. Educational events are organized, along with discussions, family festivals and campaigns, and financial and psychological assistance is provided.
Read more in the SUSU channel on MAX
Author: Veronika Strelnikova, Sergey Kachko
South Ural State University is a place where people not only gain new knowledge or learn a profession, but also build families. The most solid relationships are born namely during student years.
Denis Shevchenko met his sweetheart Arina Pridon 5 years ago, at a rehearsal of the Victory Waltz patriotic flashmob, when they both were students of SUSU. As fate would have it, they were lined up as a dance pair, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Denis completed his studies at the university in 2023, and Arina is the 2026 graduate. While still studying at SUSU, the girl kept dreaming about climbing up to the observation deck in the spire tower of the main academic building to get a bird's-eye view of Chelyabinsk.
"I came up with this idea quite a long time ago. I had met Arina at SUSU during the Victory Waltz flashmob, in which we had participated five times in total. But the day we had had met on had been Aril 12th, Cosmonautics Day, that's why I thought it would be very symbolic to propose on the roof – closer to space. And Arina had really wished to climb up there," the young man says.
The surprise prepared by Denis worked out really well! But he had had to do his best to succeed: the future groom had addressed Anastasiia Lapo, the SUSU Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs, with his idea. Together they had climbed up to the spire tower, selected the location and come up with a legend about an excursion group (the SUSU media team played their role). It all had had to look natural!
"Family is the most important thing in our life. That's why our university supports its students' and graduates' wish to build one. Many young men propose at the university square. But today we've made a step further: Denis suggested that we organize this event at the observation deck with a beautiful view over our city. Of course, we supported him since it is important for us to help our students and graduates make their wishes come true," explains Anastasiia Lapo, Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs. "The proposal itself has come as totally unexpected for Arina. She has been very surprised. And I believe those sincere and vivid emotions will not only create great mood, but will help keep our university in their memory for the rest of their lives. Now SUSU is a place where their family has been born."
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Everyone have felt the excitement: the groom, the photographer, the videographers, and the people who have been cheering for the couple. But the bride has uttered the precious "Yes" right beneath the clouds!
"I haven't expected such an event happening today at all. At first I thought that it was a surprise trip somewhere, but when the taxi driver specified the destination address, I was really puzzled – why we would need to go to SUSU in summer? When at the university, we started ascending in an elevator, and next our way led up the stairs towards the roof. At that moment I realized that my dream was probably about to come true. As part of the excursion group (I totally believed we were one) we headed towards the observation deck. And there Denis proposed to me. I didn't expect that at all, but I'm really happy now!" the girl shares her impressions.
(1).png)
Our congratulations to Denis and Arina on their engagement! We wish them a long life together filled with endless love and happiness!
SUSU embraces its students’ wish to build a family and provides various types of support, including by creating the infrastructure required for student families. Starting from December of 2025, a mother-and-child room has been functioning at the university. Educational events are organized, along with discussions, family festivals and campaigns, and financial and psychological assistance is provided.
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