St. Edward’s University celebrating 125th anniversary
After a fire in 1903, the main building of St. Edward’s University, shown in its original form above, was reconstructed.
The year 2010 not only marks the beginning of a new decade, it is also St. Edward’s University’s 125th anniversary, and the university is going to celebrate by giving back.
On Feb. 15, Student Life will host the Homecoming Kickoff event that will celebrate St. Edward’s 125th year anniversary. The Kickoff, taking place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the Ragsdale Lawn, will introduce the celebratory 125 Service Challenge. Through the challenge, the university intends for students, faculty and alumni to participate in 75,000 hours of community service for the year 2010, in celebration of the 125th year anniversary.
“Clearly giving back to the community has always been a part of St. Ed’s,” said Mischelle Diaz, director of communications. “It is a part of the holy cross mission. I can’t see this University celebrating any milestone as major as 125 years without a service component, so that’s what this is about. “
Regardless of the number of hours each participant dedicates to service, every hour brings the university one step closer to achieving the 75,000 hour goal. Last year, the university contributed 63,000 hours of service, said President George Martin.
“I want to encourage everyone to participate in service around the community whether that’s five hours or 125 hours,” Martin said in an e-mail to the university.
Homecoming weekend, from Feb. 19-21 will also be a large part of the immediate festivities. In October, the university will hold its 125th birthday party, which will include a special birthday cake.
The university will also make the bi-annual President’s Meeting on Feb. 24 part of the celebration. Unlike at previous President’s Meetings, St. Edwards will shift its focus to the university’s accomplishments in the last 125 years, and provide an overview the successes of the 2010 strategic plan, which began in 1999 when Martin arrived at the university.
Students can find more information on the 125 service project micro-Web site, which will launch during the first week of February. On this Web site, participants will be encouraged to log their community service hours and share stories, videos, photographs and memories that express the milestones and accomplishments made at St. Edward’s University.
“I think what our main message in our events and in the micro site and in the magazine and in all the things that you’ll see, is that we’re very proud of where we’ve been.” Diaz said. “We have a tremendous history of successes and perseverance, but we’re even more excited about where we’re going. We want to make sure that the entire university community understands not only where the university has been and the significance of that, but more importantly where we’re going, and the excitement about what we’re going to do next.”
