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The bells of Harkness Chapel will toll 100 times on April 5, one for every year since the signing of the College Charter that day in 1911.
Centennial celebrations began amid the snows of January with a campus tea in Katharine Blunt House, a photo show by students in downtown New London and the first event in the "Great Beginnings" alumni speaker series.
On April 5, Founders Day, the College will get its first Centennial cake - in the shape of New London Hall, the oldest building on campus. The community will be serenaded not with "Happy Birthday," but a special Centennial song written just for the occasion that will be heard for the first time.
Founders Day events begin at 1:15 p.m. when Linda Eisenmann '75, provost of Wheaton College and a historian of higher education, will give the keynote address. President Leo I. Higdon Jr. says Eisenmann is the ideal Founders Day speaker.
"As a historian, Linda Eisenmann can help us all better understand Connecticut College's founding in the context of what was happening in higher education in the early 1900s," Higdon said. "And as an alumna, she helps connect all of us to this history, and the evolution of the College, in a very personal way."
At 2:15 p.m., the chapel bells will call the campus community to Tempel Green for a photograph of those assembled standing in the shape of 100. From the Green, the crowd will process to Cro for the Founders Day Tea and 100th Birthday Party in the 1962 Room.
As everyone enjoys tea and cake, a proclamation from Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy will be read; Higdon will deliver a brief speech; and the chamber choir will debut the new, prize-winning Centennial song, written by Richard Schenk, a musician and composer in the dance department, and Ann Livingston Schenk M'01, a former instructor in the dance department.
"We have a few additional plans in the works," Higdon added, "including a historical skit by student improvisational group N2O, an opportunity to sign a replica of the College's charter and even a 'personal appearance' by one of our founders. It will be a terrific celebration of our Great Beginnings."
A special dinner in Harris Refectory will follow the party. Later, Shake the Baron, a rock band comprised of three 2010 alumni and a current student, will perform.
If you can't get back to campus, celebrate the College's big day wherever you are. Take some time during the week of April 3 to honor your alma mater. Have dinner with a classmate. Write a letter to the professor who changed your life. Tell a current high school student about the great education you got here. Pull out your Koiné or visit a place that reminds you of what you studied and learned. The only limit is your creativity!
Whatever you do, please tell us about it by posting a few sentences, a photo or a video clip on the College's Facebook page.
Many more Centennial events are scheduled throughout the year and across the country, culminating in a huge celebration on Fall Weekend, Oct. 21-23. Watch for details in upcoming magazines or visit http://centennial.conncoll.edu.
Join us for Founders Day on April 5
02/28/2011
Centennial celebrations began amid the snows of January with a campus tea in Katharine Blunt House, a photo show by students in downtown New London and the first event in the "Great Beginnings" alumni speaker series.
On April 5, Founders Day, the College will get its first Centennial cake - in the shape of New London Hall, the oldest building on campus. The community will be serenaded not with "Happy Birthday," but a special Centennial song written just for the occasion that will be heard for the first time.
Founders Day events begin at 1:15 p.m. when Linda Eisenmann '75, provost of Wheaton College and a historian of higher education, will give the keynote address. President Leo I. Higdon Jr. says Eisenmann is the ideal Founders Day speaker.
"As a historian, Linda Eisenmann can help us all better understand Connecticut College's founding in the context of what was happening in higher education in the early 1900s," Higdon said. "And as an alumna, she helps connect all of us to this history, and the evolution of the College, in a very personal way."
At 2:15 p.m., the chapel bells will call the campus community to Tempel Green for a photograph of those assembled standing in the shape of 100. From the Green, the crowd will process to Cro for the Founders Day Tea and 100th Birthday Party in the 1962 Room.
As everyone enjoys tea and cake, a proclamation from Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy will be read; Higdon will deliver a brief speech; and the chamber choir will debut the new, prize-winning Centennial song, written by Richard Schenk, a musician and composer in the dance department, and Ann Livingston Schenk M'01, a former instructor in the dance department.
"We have a few additional plans in the works," Higdon added, "including a historical skit by student improvisational group N2O, an opportunity to sign a replica of the College's charter and even a 'personal appearance' by one of our founders. It will be a terrific celebration of our Great Beginnings."
A special dinner in Harris Refectory will follow the party. Later, Shake the Baron, a rock band comprised of three 2010 alumni and a current student, will perform.
If you can't get back to campus, celebrate the College's big day wherever you are. Take some time during the week of April 3 to honor your alma mater. Have dinner with a classmate. Write a letter to the professor who changed your life. Tell a current high school student about the great education you got here. Pull out your Koiné or visit a place that reminds you of what you studied and learned. The only limit is your creativity!
Whatever you do, please tell us about it by posting a few sentences, a photo or a video clip on the College's Facebook page.
Many more Centennial events are scheduled throughout the year and across the country, culminating in a huge celebration on Fall Weekend, Oct. 21-23. Watch for details in upcoming magazines or visit http://centennial.conncoll.edu.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Amy Martin, 860-439-2526, a.martin@conncoll.edu or Deborah MacDonnell (860) 439-2504, dmacdonn@conncoll.edu
