The theme of the observance will be recognition and celebration of the teaching-learning dynamic that is at the center of our work.

Happy Birthday To Us:
St. Lawrence University’s 150th Anniversary Celebration
July 2005-June 2006

Last update: June 2006

Background
Examining our Universalist Heritage
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
Nurturing the Learning Environment
Connections to the Region and Regional Community
Special Events and Materials

Weaving Sesquicentennial themes into the fabric of a year at St. Lawrence brings our celebration into every corner of campus, every experience of students, faculty and alumni.

Special Events and Materials

Charter Day, April 3, 2006: Campus and regional events across the nation!

All alumni invited to Reunion 2006!

The Alumni Council will coordinate a reunion of all past members, celebrating their leadership among alumni and their contributions to the University.

Regional Saints Network events will be planned around one or many themes.

A new pictorial book of St. Lawrence images has been published, updating the beautiful book created in 1990.

A seven minute DVD slideshow on St. Lawrence’s programs, place and people through the last 150 years premiered at Convocation.

An “Images of America” book of archival photos has been published.

A booklet on the history of women's athletics has been published.

Archival exhibits will be created in the library, the Student Center and Augsbury Lobby.

The plasma screen TVs in the Student Center will feature historical Fun Facts each week.

Sesquicentennial mementoes in the Bookstore.

Dana Dining Hall will plan theme dinners throughout the year to connect menus to Sesquicentennial themes and to our history.

Examining our Universalist Heritage

David Weissbard ’62, Theology School ’65, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford, IL, in residence October 24-28, 2005 to visit classes and lecture on ethics.

David Blanchard’80, minister at First Universalist of Syracuse, NY, visited campus January 22-23 to help examine issues of tolerance.

Joan Brown Campbell, director of the department of religion at The Chatauqua Institute returned to campus January 21-23 to visit classes and lecture on human rights.

Richard Gilbert ’58 delivered the MacKay Lecture on February 28

The Unitarian Universalist Foundation made a gift to St. Lawrence to support a University Fellowship project in our Universalist heritage.

An anonymous donor has made a gift to renovate Hale Chapel in Atwood Hall, reclaiming the spaces and a nondenominational retreat for prayer and meditation.

Theology School graduates gathered for a reunion in 2006.

The February 2005 St. Lawrence magazine was dedicated to civility, liberty and the pursuit of knowledge.

Top

Celebrating Cultural Diversity

The Crimmel Colloqium: Dr. Philip McMichael of Cornell University in residence to examine liberal education and citizenship in a globalizing world.

The Richard F. Brush Art Gallery’s year will be largely dedicated to Sesquicentennial themes. Fall shows celebrating cultural diversity were:

Following in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors:
An Exhibition of Hotinonshonni Contemporary Art
August 17 -September 29

Far North:Inuit Prints and Drawings from Cape Dorset
August 17 -September 29

Cloth Only Wears to Shreds: Yoruba Textiles and Photographs
October 6 -November 3

The music department has programmed a variety of performances to celebrate cultural diversity. Highlights of the fall schedule included:

International Dumbo Dance Festival: Korean Dance
October 25, 7 p.m., Black Box Theatre

University Chorus Concert: America Sings Praises: hymns, shape-notes, spirituals
November 12, 8 p.m., Gunnison Chapel

University Chorus Concert
Selections from Gilbert & Sullivan
April 23, 2 p.m., Gunnison Chapel

Two University Fellowship projects have examined University history relating to diversity. One Fellowship explored the life and contributions of Jeffrey Campbell ’33, the University’s first African-American graduate who became a world-renowned civil rights activist. The second Fellowship, continuing this year, examines the experience of Jewish students at St. Lawrence.

The CLR James Lecture in African Studies: Obiama Nnameka, and activist in literature and women’s/human rights.
October 27, 7 p.m., Hepburn Auditorium

The May 2005 issue of St. Lawrence considered international programs and the contributions of international students.

Top

Connections to the Region and Regional Community

St. Lawrence co-hosted the Canton Bicentennial-St. Lawrence Sesquicentennial Ball on April 8, 2006, with music provided by St. Lawrence students.

North Country Public Radio will collaborate on a series of radio and print presentations.

The Watertown Daily Times created and distributed a commemorative tabloid. see Feature Stories on the Sesquicentennial page for several of the topics.

We created a commemorative booklet on North Country citizens from our distant past who have graduated from St. Lawrence and made important contributions to the region, the nation or the world.

The February 2006 St. Lawrence magazine considered the pioneering spirit.

Sounds of St. Lawrence: A Sesquicentennial Review will feature music and dance from the 1800s, at a campus-community event.

Top

Nurturing the Learning Environment

Associate Professor of Sport and Leisure Studies Emerita Dotty Hall researched and published a study of the history of women’s sports.

A University Fellowship project studies the history of singing at St. Lawrence; this project is featured in the September issue of St. Lawrence, which also includes other stories of student life. The research project also helped shape the Laurentian Singers repertoire for the year, entirely focused on St. Lawrence songs, music created for St. Lawrence and classics of the Laurentian Singers history.

The Laurentian Singers held a special reunion in June 2006.

The Brush Art Gallery held an exhibition of contemporary faculty work.
November 10-December 10.

The University Writers Series features several alumni authors:

Lorrie Moore ’78
Wednesday, September 21, 8 p.m.
Sykes Common Room

Marion Roach ’77
Wednesday, October 19, 8 p.m.
Sykes Common Room

Tom Chiarella ’83 and Dennis McNally ’71
Thursday, February 9
Sykes Common Room

David Lloyd ’75
Thursday, April 6, 2006, 8 p.m.
Herring-Cole

1856 is the topic of an interdisciplinary senior seminar offered by Professor Steve Horwitz of economics and Associate Professor Elizabeth Regosin of history.

The May 2006 magazine considered the people and programs "inside"
St. Lawrence that contribute to learning.

Top

Background: The sesquicentennial of the chartering of St. Lawrence University, April 3, 1856, is celebrated with a year-long series of events on campus and throughout the nation, July 2005-June 2006. The theme of the observance is recognition and celebration of the teaching-learning dynamic that is at the center of our work. We especially examine factors that have influenced teaching and learning, such as our Universalist heritage, our commitment to coeducation and to ethnic diversity, the role of location and of the University connection to other nations and cultures, and our recognition that learning happens in all phases of campus life, with co-curricular programming central to student engagement and service. We bring a sesquicentennial focus to existing events, both on campus and throughout the nation, and materials.

Any anniversary encourages consideration of history and in fact gives all Laurentians a chance to understand and appreciate our history. A major milestone like our 150th gives the opportunity for our history to become more evident to those studying, teaching and working on campus, as well as those affiliated with the University through alumni or regional connections.

History, however, is more than a recitation of facts and dates. It’s awareness of culture and of meaning. Those participating in, or observing, our sesquicentennial should benefit by coming away with a better understanding of St. Lawrence’s identity and why St. Lawrence is the place it is today.

And finally, perhaps most important, Laurentians should consider history as thefoundation of the future. The sesquicentennial will be successful if it helps inspire future dedication to and investment in St. Lawrence University.

The sesquicentennial will: