A commemorative plaque to Gleb Khudyakov (1928–2011), a well-known geologist and geomorphologist, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was opened in Bldg. IV of Saratov University. The ceremony took place on December 1, and it was attended by Rector of Saratov University Aleksei Chumachenko, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Igor Malinskii, members of the Russian Geographical Society, Dean of the Faculty of Geology Maksim Pimenov, Gleb Khudyakov’s students: Vice-Rector Olga Nesterova, Head of the Laboratory of the Faculty of Geology Alexander Sheshnyov, his former colleagues – Professor Evgenii Pervushov, Associate Professor Serafima Lapina, and young professors and students of the Faculty of Geography and Geology.

The right to unveil the memorial plaque was given to Dean of the Faculty of Geography, SSU, Chair of the Saratov Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society Vladimir Makarov.

The speakers commented on Khudyakov’s merits in structural geomorphology and morphotectonics, his original research ideas, unique personal characteristics, and passion for arts and research photography. He supervised about three dozen candidates and almost ten doctors of sciences, received the State Award, led the Far Eastern Scientific Geomorphological School, and it was reflected on the commemorative plaque.

Rector Aleksei Chumachenko, speaking about Gleb Khudyakov, pointed out that there are only a few such scientists, his colleagues and students must remember him, students must know about him. The colleagues shared their precious memories about the professor, citing stories from different stages of his research career. Gleb Khudyakov was remembered as a positive and enthusiastic person. Associate Professor Serafima Lapina showed a photograph taken by Khudyakov. The picture showed a mountain ash branch in the snow, which turned out to be symbolic for the first day of winter, when snowflakes were falling from the sky.

The plaque is placed at the entrance to Bldg. IV, where the famous scientist worked. The Russian Geographical Society is carrying out the All-Russian campaign for the installation of name signs for outstanding geographers. It is dedicated to the 175^th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Geographical Society.

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Gleb Khudyakov graduated from the Faculty of Geology Faculty of Saratov State University (SSU) in 1951. He worked at Geology Research Institute, SSU, at the Siberian Research Institute of Geology, Geophysics, and Mineral Resources (Novosibirsk), from 1961 to 1978 he was in charge of the Laboratory of Geomorphology and Morphotectonics of Far Eastern Geological Institute (FEGI) of the Far East Research Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Over the years, he was Deputy Director for Research of Far East Geological Institute, Director of the Pacific Geographical Institute (PGI) of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Vladivostok), Director of Geology Research Institute at SSU. In the 90s, he chaired the Department of Geomorphology and Geoecology of the Faculty of Geography, SSU, and from 2000 until the end of his days he worked as a professor of this department.

Gleb Khudyakov’s works contributed to the discovery of three oil and gas structures in the South-East of the European part of Russia, deposits of coal, placers of heavy metals, and a zeolite province in the Far East. In 1978, for research developments in the Far East, he received the Medal of the USSR State Award, in 1983 he was awarded with the Order of Friendship of Peoples. In 1984 he was elected Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

Along with the research Gleb Khudyakov took an active part in pedagogical work. Over the years, he developed and delivered seven lecture courses at the Faculty of Geography, SSU.