125 Years in the Making: Turning Everyday Gatherings into Extraordinary Celebrations

Author

Samantha Crossley, Director of Special Events & Summer Programs, Elizabethtown College

​Quasquicentennial – try saying that five times fast! During the 2024-2025 academic year, Elizabethtown College celebrated their 125th anniversary since its founding in 1899. We set out to create something truly special for our community: a celebration that honors our rich history while also embracing the many ways we will shape the future for generations to come.

Planning for the quasquicentennial began in 2022, when a committee was formed that brought together partners from across campus—student life, marketing, academic affairs, events, and even members of the graduating class of 2025. To address key areas in greater detail, subcommittees were created to provide targeted guidance. From the beginning, we knew we didn’t want to create entirely new events. Instead, our goal was to elevate existing traditions by using the resources we already had. With support from the scheduling office, the committee reviewed annual events and identified opportunities to enhance them in celebration of the 125th milestone. This became a yearlong series of celebrations, beginning with Convocation.

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