Original Palmer Library, 1923
To introduce the college community to the work being done to mark the school’s centennial year, the Centennial Committee, comprised of staff, faculty and students, held a Common Hour on Friday, October 29. The three co-chairs of the Centennial Committee Vice President of College Relations Patricia Carey, Associate Professor and Chair of the Theater Department Leah Lowe and Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department Midge Thomas directed the discussion.
“The biggest celebration of the year will be 2011’s Fall Weekend,” promised Carey, “[as] all alumni, parents, and everyone on campus is invited.” Other significant days throughout the year include the celebration of Founders Day on April 5, Honor New London Day on March 1 and the commencement of the Class of 2011, or the “Centennial Class.”
Perhaps the most prominent work done by the committee is the recently launched Centennial Song Contest. It is open to all students, graduates and current and former faculty members. “It’s not a replacement to the alma mater,” said Thomas. “It’s an updated song, a way to celebrate the second century.”
The winner of the Centennial Song Contest will receive a cash prize of $1500.
Lisa Brownell, Director of College Publications and Chair of the Centennial Committee’s Publications and Visual Identity subcommittee, introduced the most visual aspect of the centennial celebration. “The new logo serves as a symbol of the journey every student takes at Connecticut College, starting with convocation and ending with commencement,” explained Brownell. The logo was designed to represent the Conn’s own “humble” beginnings, as well as each student’s beginning to “their life long connection to the college.”
Merrill Collins, Director of the Office of Events and Catering, and Chair of Staff Council, as well as Chair of the Centennial Committee’s Commencement subcommittee, elaborated on the centennial events surrounding graduation. For example, the diplomas for the Class of 2011 have been resized and redesigned and will include a centennial tagline. The decorations for and layout of commencement have also been redesigned and events throughout commencement weekend have been added and altered.
The 2011 Commencement speaker, Cynthia Enloe ’60, is a renowned political scientist and, in the words of President Lee Higdon, was chosen as someone who “exemplifies both our founding values and our highest aspirations for academic excellence and global perspective.”
Benjamin Parent, senior designer and art director of CC Magazine and Chair of the Centennial Committee’s New London and Community Outreach subcommittee, established the Linking New London and Connecticut College Communities (LINCC), photo contest, which “explores the relationship between the college and New London.”
Parent also explained Honor New London Day: “Folklore has it that on March 1, 1911, the residents of New London had a spontaneous parade through the streets of New London because they had raised the hundred thousand dollars necessary to bring the college to New London.” In celebration of the hundredth anniversary of that parade, Connecticut College is holding a function downtown with a walking parade, food, and entertainment.
A book of stories written by Emeriti faculty will also be published in observance of the Centennial year, and a permanent history exhibit will be displayed in Fanning Hall.
Photo from Web
