In 1957, the prominent spectroscopist Anton Sieŭčanka was appointed rector of Belarusian State University. He led the university for the next 15 years and oversaw its significant expansion. In 1958, the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics was split into two, the Faculties of Physics and Mathematics. The Faculties of Journalism and Applied Mathematics were opened in 1967 and 1970, respectively. The university-operated Research Institute for Applied Physics Problems was founded in 1971. Enrollment increased rapidly, from 8,000 in 1962 to 15,000 in 1970. Construction of a new main building for the university was undertaken in 1958-1962, and new buildings of the Physics and Chemistry faculties were opened in 1966 and 1969, respectively. In 1967, the university was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.