1858-2008: Susquehanna's Sesquicentennial

Sesquicentennial Events

Commemorative photo of current and emeritus faculty

Susquehanna University is observing its sesquicentennial with special programming and celebrations through Commencement 2009.

  • The university will be observing Global Entrepreneurship Week with a Nov. 18 Competing in a Global Economy panel discussion. The event is sponsored by the Sigmund Weis School of Business and moderated by John Resnick, host of the syndicated radio program Legends of Success. Panel members will discuss how individuals, entrepreneurs, small-business owners and corporations can be more competitive moving forward in a global economy. Panelists representing a variety of business perspectives and experiences will discuss how the United States can compete in this new environment. The discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer period for the audience.

Past Events

  • On March 7, a gala performance of the SU Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra at Carnegie Hall kicked off the festivities. Click here for event highlights!
  • Students, faculty and staff participated in a special campus photograph on April 30 during the annual end-of-year picnic. More than 500 came together on Smith Field for the event. The photo continued a tradition most recently observed in 1983 when the university marked its 125th anniversary. Click here for an event photo.
  • A commemorative photo of Susquehanna's current and emeritus faculty was taken Aug. 21 on the front steps of Seibert Hall prior to Opening Convocation.
  • A Tug O' War competition, once a Susquehanna tradition, was revived during the Welcome Week picnic on Aug. 24.
  • The Lore Degenstein Gallery opened the 2008-2009 academic year with Susquehanna University: A 150-Year Retrospective. With photographic images and artifacts selected from the archives and friends of Susquehanna, this exhibition offered an informative and entertaining look at people, events, architecture and artifacts from Susquehanna's past. Donald D. Housley, emeritus professor of history, discussed "Images and Artifacts of the College Culture" at the exhibit's opening on Aug. 28.
  • On Sept. 27, a university birthday celebration was held at the Market Street Festival. The program included a message of thanks from President L. Jay Lemons to Selinsgrove residents and community leaders. Free birthday cake was provided by ARAMARK, the university's food service vendor. Thanks to Selinsgrove Postmaster Mike Wolfberg, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative postmark that day on a complimentary SU 150 postcard provided by the university.
  • A record number of alumni and friends returned to campus Oct. 3 for a Sesquicentennial Homecoming Celebration.
    • Festivities began Oct. 3 with the Sesquicentennial Ball and concluded Sunday afternoon with a luncheon saluting distinguished alumni as well as a rebroadcast of the Carnegie Hall performance on WVIA-FM and WQSU-FM.
    • On Saturday morning, more than 50 campus and community groups participated in a festive sesquicentennial homecoming parade through the Susquehanna campus and Selinsgrove's downtown.
    • Later that day, a group of students, faculty, alumni and friends of the university gathered for a cornerstone ceremony to celebrate the construction of the new science building.
    • Saturday evening came to a dramatic and colorful conclusion as the Crusaders emerged victorious over Merchant Marine Academy in the final seconds of the game. Fireworks capped off the evening.