Anniversary celebration kicksoff
SLIPPERY ROCK — Thursday marked the kickoff celebration of Slippery Rock University's 125th anniversary.
“What a great day for Slippery Rock University,” said President Cheryl Norton.
Wilma Cavill, SRU's grand marshal and longest serving faculty member, declared the yearlong event to be open, and then a procession of administrators, faculty, staff, students and community members walked from the oldest building on campus, Old Main, to the newest, the Robert M. Smith Student Center, where a ceremony took place in the lobby.
“We are, we always have and forever will be The Rock,” Norton said.
Bob Taylor, chairman of SRU's council of trustees and a 1978 graduate, said when the school opened in 1889, 13 community members were called to serve on the first council of trustees.
Since then, people from around the state have been called to serve as trustees to make sure SRU provides a quality education.
“We are very proud to serve the institution and see it thrive,” Taylor said.
Ken Harris, a Slippery Rock borough councilman and a retired SRU theater professor, said the borough is proud of its historical commitment to SRU and looks forward to a continuing partnership.
Bob Watson, interim vice president for student affairs and a 1970 graduate, said it took only 14 months after residents began meeting to talk about education for the opening of Slippery Rock Normal School.
At that time, Slippery Rock was called Centerville.
Watson represented university founders at the event. His great-grandfather was an original stockholder and trustee.
Buddy Clements, president of SRU's student government association, said being able to celebrate the 125th anniversary was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. He noted that almost 80,000 students have graduated since the founding.
“Each one with their own story,” Clements said.
Following that, several of the participants read the names of the nearly 140 members of SRU's first graduating class.“And there are generations to come,” said Laurel Dagnon, one of the chairs of the anniversary.Throughout the year, volunteers will continue to read names of graduates at different ceremonies and events until all of the names are read.“Let the party begin,” Norton said.Other events are planned to celebrate the anniversary, including:• March 26 will be the annual Founder's Day celebration with speakers and a birthday party, including games and amusements for students in the student center.• A Founders Picnic will be June 21, with invitations issued to anyone related to the original founders of the Slippery Rock Normal School.• Fall semester will see the SRU football team take on Mercyhurst University at the University of Michigan on Oct. 18 and the 35th anniversary of SRU's first appearance in “The Big House.” At that game, SRU helped to set the record for attendance at a Division II football game. SRU will attempt to break that record.
