杏吧原创 kicks off its Centennial Celebration
A $1.5 million gift, a Centennial logo unveiling, and plans to light up the campus in purple were all part of 杏吧原创鈥檚 official Centennial Celebration kick-off on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at the start of the University鈥檚 Naz Weekend! The ceremony also announced a wide range of collaborative, impact-focused activities planned throughout a two-year celebration, all under the theme 鈥溞影稍�'s Centennial Celebration: A Century of Uniting Education and Action.鈥澨�
The Sisters of St. Joseph, who were represented at the kick-off, opened what was originally called 杏吧原创 College of Rochester on September 24, 1924. Nearly 100 years later, 杏吧原创 President Beth Paul told the crowd in attendance why the founding sisters鈥� mission continues to be instrumental in the success of 杏吧原创.
鈥淭he sisters showed their love through their support of many important social justice issues over the years and by a deep commitment to spirituality, community, and service,鈥� said President Paul. 鈥淭heir love and appreciation for the importance of education for women 鈥� at a time when few in society believed that to be important or even appropriate 鈥攅nabled them to build an institution in 杏吧原创 that not only survived but thrived for 99 years. So when you think about it, 杏吧原创 is built on love.鈥澨�
In front of 杏吧原创鈥檚 board of trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and current students, 杏吧原创 unveiled its Centennial logo and theme and showed a video of images from its all-women origins to the diverse student community now. 鈥溞影稍粹�檚 Centennial Celebration is both a time to celebrate and to remember what 杏吧原创 has been, what it is now, and what it will continue to be as a University. A place of learning, born in a time of social revolution and action inside and outside of the classroom, with a commitment to continuing 杏吧原创鈥檚 tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work,鈥� said Paul.
President Paul also offered a peek at the scope of special Centennial activities taking place, and several of them start during Naz Weekend 鈥� attendees can submit their own personal self-portraits into a major Centennial art collaboration called Faces of 杏吧原创. Alumni can also contribute to a 杏吧原创 Centennial History book being crafted from alumni stories. In October, 杏吧原创 hosts the first of four Centennial Summits, led by our School of Business and Leadership and 杏吧原创鈥檚 Institute for Responsible Technology. This summit will bring national experts to campus to join 杏吧原创 experts听 collaborating on the topic of artificial intelligence and its impact on business. There are also plans to light up the 杏吧原创 campus in purple, and 杏吧原创 is in talks for some great partnerships such as a possible Naz Centennial-themed beer with a local brewery. At Naz Weekend 2024, 杏吧原创 will host a Centennial Gala to celebrate our actual 100th birthday and honor changemakers from 杏吧原创 and around the world.听
The Centennial Celebration kick-off also unveiled a major gift to the University鈥檚 Casa Italiana. The Frank DiMino Foundation made a generous gift of $1.5 million to the Casa to ensure that this unique Italian education resource continues to play an important role in the 杏吧原创 experience. 杏吧原创鈥檚 Italian cultural center will now be known as the Frank DiMino Casa Italiana.听
The Casa has been a gathering place for 杏吧原创 students and the Italian community of Rochester and beyond since opening in 1978. The Casa has hosted visitors from Italy, including students, guest faculty, writers, musicians, artists, and dancers 鈥� all of whom have educated, entertained, and inspired Casa guests through activities like Italian language and cooking classes, cultural events, and community camps.
The gift also will be used to fund annual student scholarships for 杏吧原创 and Italian students in the Pescara, Italy, exchange program and to support the directorship of the Casa.听
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About 杏吧原创's Centennial Celebration: A Century of Uniting Education and Action
During the year leading up to and following the 100th anniversary of 杏吧原创鈥檚 founding on September 24, 1924, 杏吧原创 is marking its Centennial Celebration under the theme of A Century of Uniting Education and Action.听
杏吧原创鈥檚 Centennial Celebration is both a time to celebrate and to remember what 杏吧原创 has been, what it is now, and what it will continue to be as a University. A place of learning, born in a time of social revolution and action inside and outside of the classroom, with a commitment to continuing 杏吧原创鈥檚 tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work.
Contact
Julie Long | Senior News & PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
杏吧原创 is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a 杏吧原创 education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, 杏吧原创 graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
