Westminster College to Celebrate 150th Birthday

Westminster College is set to begin its yearlong sesquicentennial celebration on Founder's Day, Monday, Jan. 21.

The kick-off celebration starts at 7:30 p.m. in Orr Auditorium with hypnotist Tom DeLuca.  Before and after the show, the Westminster community will have the opportunity to get an "antique" photo taken, receive a photo snow globe with the
Sesquicentennial logo, and a sesquicentennial button handed out by Westminster President R. Thomas Williamson.   The first day's festivities will culminate in fireworks over Lake Brittain.

In addition, at 4 p.m. a Martin Luther King Day chapel program is planned, which will be led by the Rev. Steve Allen, chaplain of Westminster College, Jeannette Hooks, diversity coordinator at Westminster College and Williamson.  Included in the program is a special performance by the Gospel Choir and various readings of King's speeches.

Tuesday, Jan. 22, an all-campus birthday cake celebration continues from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Orr lobby.  During this time two of Westminster's alumni will be available to personally sign their sesquicentennial contributions: W. Paul Gamble '32 will sign his book, The Westminster Story, 1852-2002: Glorious, Grand & True; and J.G. McGill  '68 will sign his print, Glorious, Grand & True, 150 Years.

The festivities will continue the rest of the week and throughout the year.  Thursday, Jan. 24, Dr. Eugene Sharkey will release the first of 12 "history pieces;" Friday, Jan. 25, a special chapel program is planned; Tuesday, Jan., 29, Dr. Clarence E. Harms begins the first in a series of biology sesquicentennial seminars with "150 Years of Biology at Westminster College."

The theme, "Glorious, Grand & True" continues in February with events such as a Mardi Gras, Last Lecture Series with Professor of Speech Emeritus Dr. Walter E. Scheid, and Dr. Joseph M. Balczon presenting "150 Years of Evolution."  The month will also contain Dr. Sharkey's second history piece, a religion lecture, a special diversity program in conjunction with Black History Month, and a Westminster College Magazine feature on the first 50 years of College history.

Each month during 2002, more events are planned in recognition of the 150 years of Westminster College.  For updated information on sesquicentennial events, check the new website, www.westminster.edu/150.

For more information, contact Gloria Cagigas, vice president for institutional advancement and chair of the sesquicentennial committee, at (724) 946-7368 or e-mail cagigagc@westminster.edu.