SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University marked its 125th birthday today with its Founder’s Day celebration.

About 80 SRU officials, alumni, staff and community members attended the event which is part of the yearlong university’s 125th anniversary.

Much has changed at SRU since it opened on March 26, 1889.

SRU President Cheryl Norton said the Slippery Rock Normal School had 168 students on its first day. Now, it has 8,300 students.

Bob Watson, interim vice president for student affairs and the author of “Slippery Rock University: The Legend Behind the Name,” said the residents of what is now Slippery Rock decided in 1887 to get a school built in the community that would educate beyond the eighth grade.

In 1889, representatives from Gov. James Beaver’s office came to inspect the campus to be considered a state normal school. Beaver approved the campus, and community involvement was a big reason.

“They were doing something worthy of acceptance,” Watson said.

Watson’s great grandfather, John, was an original stockholder and was the construction supervisor on West Gym. Watson said the gym was considered the best physical education facility in the state when it opened in 1906.

Five generations of Watsons have been involved in SRU.

Butler County Commissioner Bill McCarrier, who is on SRU’s council of trustees, said the university contributes millions of dollars to the economy and creates thousands of jobs.

“Butler County is blessed to have the university,” McCarrier said.

He said he is not a SRU alumni, but he did some graduate work there while he was a teacher at Moniteau High School. His mother and two aunts attended SRU.

Following the program, a “Birthday Bash” lunch took place in the Robert M. Smith Student Center.