Plans under way to celebrate 150 years

The University now has a staff director and trustee chair to head up sesquicentennial celebration planning.

The University will celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2000. The weekend of October 13-15, 2000 has been identified as the key weekend for major events on campus. Lectures, concerts, and other events also will take place on campus (and at regional alumni gatherings) starting in January 2000 and extending through June 2001.

Mary Jo Ferr, associate director of development in the College, has been named sesquicentennial director. She reports to Vice President for Development Holli Budd and will work closely with a steering committee including Budd, Provost Charles Phelps, Vice Provost Lesley Curtis, Vice President Emeritus Roger Lathan, and Associate Vice President for Public Relations Robert Kraus.

The Board of Trustees has appointed Joseph P. Mack '55, a trustee and retired president and CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, as overall sesquicentennial chair.

In related appointments, David Mack '69, president of the Trustees' Council of the College and senior vice president for corporate relations at Finger Lakes Blue Cross/Blue Shield, will chair a committee overseeing the involvement of Rochester-area residents and institutions. Gwen Greene '65, president-elect of the Trustees' Council and associate director at Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., will chair a sesquicentennial committee of the council.

The University Sesquicentennial Planning Group, representing various University divisions, includes Pat Armstrong, undergraduate admissions office; Margaret Bond, University public relations; Tom Cassada and Melissa Mead, River Campus libraries; Mary-Beth Cooper, dean of students' office; Rob Rouzer, student activities; Terry Gurnett, Jack Kreckel, and Jennifer Linton, College alumni and development office; Robert Joynt, Medical Center; Dana Rittenhouse and Cheryl Peacock-Clarke, College dean's office; Laura Brophy, Warner School; Dorothy Drahzal, Simon School; Susan Robertson, Eastman School; Stephanie Cooper, School of Nursing; Jane Webster, River Campus operations and maintenance; and Clint Lewis, conference and special events office. Student representatives also will be appointed.

Ferr said she encourages anyone with ideas for celebrating the sesquicentennial to contact her at the Fairbank Alumni House.