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AMHERST, N.Y. – ˿����Ƶ College’s inaugural Founders Celebration was a resounding success as the campus community joined together for several special events held on Sept. 7 and 8 to commemorate the college’s rich history of academic excellence and to honor its heritage.            

Starting the new annual tradition as ˿����Ƶ marks its 70^th anniversary this year, the two-day celebration kicked off with a dedication and ringing ceremony for the college’s . The new bell has been installed on campus adjacent to Founders Walkway outside ˿����Ƶ’s historic Rosary Hall, site of the college’s earliest commencement ceremonies.

“Since our founding in 1947 as Rosary Hill College, ˿����Ƶ has fostered a long and distinguished history of academic excellence, which over the decades our dedicated faculty and staff have carried on,” said ˿����Ƶ President Gary A. Olson. “The ceremonial ringing of our new Founders Bell by seven distinguished members of our college community pays tribute to each decade of ˿����Ƶ’s existence and celebrates our 70 years as a college of distinction.”

At the ringing ceremony, Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, said, “As a member of the ˿����Ƶ community for 36 years as a student, proud alumnus, faculty member, and now as an administrator, I could not be more proud of our great college than I am today.

The first day of festivities also featured the grand opening of ˿����Ƶ’s newly named Paul A. Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement. The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony included the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the naming in honor of an historic $1 million gift from the Paul A. Saffrin Foundation.

Pictured below: (left) Paul Saffrin is assisted at the center’s ribbon-cutting by his daughter, Fiona, with his wife, Melissa, looking on in the background, and ˿����Ƶ President Gary A. Olson. (right) Alumna Jacki Rizzo ’70 views the memorabilia exhibit highlighting the college’s history.

In addition, ˿����Ƶ’s history was showcased in an exceptional memorabilia exhibit with photos, clothing, posters, and many other mementos to spotlight each of the past seven decades.

The day wrapped up with a lecture by guest speaker Scott Dikkers, founder and longest-serving editor-in-chief of The Onion, one of the most popular online humor publications in the world, who addressed a capacity crowd in attendance.

The second day of Founders Celebration started with the third annual ˿����Ƶ Day in Amherst, a special celebration to connect the college community with Main Street’s thriving business district. With free trolley rides available, the ˿����Ƶ community had the opportunity to visit, shop, and dine at establishments in the Williamsville district.

˿����Ƶ Day also included a walking challenge for college employees, a student organization fair, and a women’s soccer match, among other activities.

˿����Ƶ’s first Founders Celebration concluded with a 70^th Anniversary Gala, where the public launch of the college’s first-ever comprehensive campaign was announced. The campaign will support three priorities: endowed student scholarships and professorships, campus facilities, and academic programs.