Susquehanna University - Sesquicentennial Events

Sesquicentennial Events

Susquehanna University is observing its sesquicentennial with special programming and celebrations through Commencement 2009.

A commemorative photo of Susquehanna’s current and emeritus faculty will be taken on the front steps of Seibert Hall at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, prior to Opening Convocation. Faculty will process to convocation following the photo. Faculty are encouraged to wear their robes for the photo. No hats, please. Faculty who do not wear or own robes are welcome to join in the photo.
A Tug O’ War competition, once a Susquehanna tradition, will be revived during the Welcome Week picnic on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Faculty and staff are encouraged to join in the tug or cheer on participants. The contest is scheduled rain or shine.
Susquehanna University: A 150-Year Retrospective will be on display in the Lore Degenstein Gallery from Aug. 28 through Oct. 4. With photographic images and artifacts selected from the archives and friends of Susquehanna, this exhibition offers an informative and entertaining look at people, events, architecture and artifacts from Susquehanna’s past. Donald D. Housley, emeritus professor of history, will discuss “Images and Artifacts of the College Culture” at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 in the Degenstein Center Theater. A reception will follow in the gallery.
On Sept. 27, all are invited to a university birthday celebration at the Market Street Festival. The program will include a message of thanks from President L. Jay Lemons to Selinsgrove residents and community leaders and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday by members of SU Stadium Band. Free birthday cake will be provided by ARAMARK, the University’s food service vendor. Thanks to Selinsgrove Postmaster Mike Wolfberg, the U.S. Postal Service will issue a commemorative postmark that day on a complimentary SU 150 postcard provided by the university.
A Sesquicentennial Homecoming Celebration, Oct. 3-5.
- Festivities will begin Friday evening with the Sesquicentennial Ball on Smith Field and will conclude Sunday afternoon with a luncheon saluting distinguished alumni as well as a rebroadcast of the Carnegie Hall performance on WVIA-FM and WQSU-FM.
- On Saturday at 11 a.m., a special sesquicentennial edition of the annual Homecoming Parade is planned.
- At 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon, there will be a cornerstone ceremony to celebrate the construction of the new science building.

Check back during the academic year for more details regarding some of the events listed on this page.

Past Events

On March 7, a gala performance of the SU Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra at Carnegie Hall kicked off the festivities. Click here for event highlights!
Students, faculty and staff participated in a special campus photograph on April 30 during the annual end-of-year picnic. More than 500 came together on Smith Field for the event. The photo continued a tradition most recently observed in 1983 when the university marked its 125th anniversary. Click here for an event photo.