SLIPPERY ROCK — Believe it or not, 2014 is the 125th anniversary of Slippery Rock University.

To mark this occasion, SRU formed a steering committee earlier this summer to plan a year’s worth of events celebrating the university’s 1889 founding.

Bob Watson, interim vice president for student affairs, is one of the honorary chairmen for the celebration along with Wilma Cavill, who is the longest-serving faculty member at SRU.

Because it is so early in the process, Watson said that there are no concrete plans yet. However, events will last from January to December.

The official “Founders Day” for SRU is March 26, which was the first day of classes in 1889.

“Founders Day clearly is going to be an important event,” said Watson, whose family was involved in the founding.

Laurel Dagnon, program director for SRU’s Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, and Judy Silva, an archivist and professor of library, are co-chairmen of the steering committee, along with head football coach George Mihalik.

Silva said enthusiasm among committee members is high.

“Ideas are coming in day and night,” Silva said.

She said some items from the archives will be put on display for the anniversary.

Watson said there will be dozens of activities going on and students, faculty, staff, alumni and townspeople will be involved.

“It is going to be a year to not only follow and watch, but hopefully Butler County people and beyond are going to want to be a part of this in some way,” Watson said.

Watson said that a new SRU logo to be used during 2014 will be introduced. A website for the anniversary also is in the works, but it is not online yet.

Rogers Clements, student government association president, said that SGA senators are getting ready to work on the anniversary.

“We’re very excited to get started once everyone gets back,” Clements said.

Both Watson and Dagnon served on the committee that planned SRU’s 100th anniversary in 1989.

Dagnon said that so much responsibility was placed on one or two people that time. This time, she said that responsibility is more spread around.

“Everyone has a voice at the table,” Dagnon said.

She also noted that communication has improved since then, thanks to the advent of e-mail, cell phones and social media.

Silva said he committee has been looking at some of the artifacts from the 100th anniversary.

“(They’re) really retro looking now,” Silva said.

The committee also is seeking out anyone whose family was involved in or connected to SRU’s founding and early years.

“We need to know who they are,” Silva said.

She said those people can contact her at 724-738-2658, Dagnon at 724-738-2030, Watson at 724-738-2003 or Mihalik at 724-738-2780.