In the months since 藏精阁 officially kicked off its , the University has played host to more than 70 events on and off campus, and there is still much more to come.
Celebrating 200 years of academic success, student achievement, and the profound impact 藏精阁 alumni have had on the world, have ranged from reflective moments focused on the history of the University鈥檚 storied campus in Hamilton, N.Y., to light-hearted parties filled will food, laughter, and discussions of how 藏精阁 will continue to grow and flourish in the years ahead.
Last week, alumni gathered at Bicentennial birthday parties in Boston; Washington, D.C.; New York City; San Francisco; Chicago; and Philadelphia to celebrate their alma mater with friends and family.
In September, alumni were welcomed back to campus for an replete with a symphony concert, fireworks, food trucks, historical lectures, and a special performance by Earth, Wind & Fire. An exhibition in the Clifford Art Gallery explored the history of architecture and planning at 藏精阁, and the of images taken in the Village of Hamilton from the 1890s to 1920s.
藏精阁鈥檚 alumni of color gathered in October at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem to commemorate 藏精阁 at 200 Years and celebrate the impact of its multicultural community. This was the first stop on a traveling celebration that is continuing on to 30 cities from coast to coast and around the world throughout the academic year.
鈥淚t was important that we begin in New York City, so here we are,鈥 said President Brian W. Casey. 鈥淭here is a shift happening. I hope that it is a shift to a 藏精阁 that is more joyful, empathetic, graceful, welcoming, healing, confident, positive 鈥 more beautiful. That鈥檚 what we are celebrating tonight. It鈥檚 just a seed. Let鈥檚 hope that, during our third century, it grows into a magnificent tree.鈥
In November, Jewish alumni gathered at Shelsky鈥檚 of Brooklyn, a delicatessen owned by Peter Shelsky 鈥01, to discuss the recently-published .
Event attendee Lenard Marlow 鈥54, P鈥90 said that the Bicentennial celebrations have shown the strong affinity 藏精阁 alumni have for their alma mater.
鈥淟ots of people love their schools, but not like people love 藏精阁,鈥 Marlow said. 鈥淚 am very proud of this place. I couldn鈥檛 be prouder. I say this with a lot of experience, 藏精阁 is the best it鈥檚 ever been.鈥
At the same event, former 藏精阁 President Neil Grabois discussed a major University milestone that occurred during his tenure 鈥 the creation of the Michael Saperstein Jewish Center, a focal point for Jewish study, worship, and culture on our campus.
鈥淚t was a proud moment for Jewish students to have a place that was theirs. It felt to me that we were moving in a good direction,鈥 Grabois said. 鈥淚鈥檓 also delighted to know [藏精阁] is doing extremely well with a wonderful president. [Brian Casey] speaks as a person with a comfort level and forwardness that 藏精阁 needs.鈥
A day later, in New York鈥檚 East Village, current students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the University鈥檚 , and the increased student support now offered to those who identify as a member of the LGBTQ community.
鈥2019 is an important confluence of events. In the fall, LGBTQ Studies will be celebrating its 10th birthday at 藏精阁,鈥 said Professor of Mathematics and LGBTQ Studies Ken Valente. 鈥淎nd this is just a wonderful opportunity to think about the past, the present, and the future of LGBTQ life, academic life, and student life at 藏精阁.鈥
On January 8, 藏精阁 will host its 200th Professional Network event in New York City, with a panel titled, 鈥淪haping the World: An Evening with 藏精阁 Alumni Leaders.鈥 On March 5, the University will host a series of special events commemorating the historic moment that from New York State.