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On
90th Anniversary, U of M Will Celebrate a Lifetime of Learning
For
release: Mar. 18, 2003
For press
information, contact
Gabrielle Maxey
After
90 years, The University of Memphis has decided it's time
for a party. So the University will celebrate its 90th anniversary
March 27-28 with a plethora of events and a "Lifetime
of Learning" theme.
Since
it first opened its doors as a teacher training school in
1912, The U of M has grown with the city and developed into
a major university. In addition to the widespread cultural
contributions in the arts and music, the city receives the
impact of an institution with an annual budget of $261 million
and 36,000 graduates living in Memphis and Shelby County.
Its athletic teams have provided a unifying source of entertainment
and pride. Its schools have produced leaders in such fields
as law, education, engineering, business, technology, and
the military. Thousands of people have received an education
they might otherwise not have been able to afford, enriching
their lives and the vitality of the communities in which they
live.
The
official anniversary celebration will include the following
events:
Thursday,
March 27
- 3
p.m. - "Extravaganza 90," an outdoor festival
on the new Student Plaza organized by the Student Activities
Council, with food, games and live music. Entertainment
will include juggler Bill Fry; balloon art by Lester the
Professional Fool; magic, stilt-walking and unicycle-riding
by Mike the Roving Guy; a sketch artist; and body painting.
Barbecue
(naturally) and corn dogs will be among the traditional
festival food offerings. Activities will include a rock
climbing wall, the "Moonbounce," a field-goal
kick, bobbing for apples, a cake-walk and a pie-throw.
Making its debut at the festival will be a promotional CD,
90 Years of Making Music in Memphis, produced by the Rudi
E. Scheidt School of Music, with support from the U of M
Alumni Association, in honor of the University's 90th anniversary.
U of M faculty, students and alumni play on most of the
tracks, and many selections are compositions or arrangements
by University faculty, students and alumni.
The CD is available for $10 (plus $2.50 for shipping and
handling if mailed). Payment may be made by cash, check
or major credit cards. Phone orders will be taken at the
U of M Alumni Office at 901-678-5314.
- 4:30
p.m. - The new V. Lane Rawlins University Services Court
Building and Clock Tower will be dedicated. Former University
President Rawlins will be on hand for the ceremony.
The new Student Plaza and alumni bricks on the plaza will
be dedicated, too. The bricks were purchased as part of
a University fund-raising initiative, and they are engraved
with the names of the donors.
Also at the ceremony, the new University of Memphis seal
will be unveiled.
(The rain site for the events will be the Michael D. Rose
Theatre.)
Friday,
March 28
- 9:30
a.m.
- The Tennessee Board of Regents will meet in the Fogelman
Executive Center, Room 136.
- 11
a.m.
- Gov. Phil Bredesen will accept the TBR's ex officio chairmanship.
- 1:45
p.m. - Procession of faculty in full academic regalia
will begin at the Ned R. McWherter Library, wind through
the campus, and end at the Rose Theatre. The academic procession
is a historic activity, with European origins dating to
the Middle Ages. It's also one of the most picturesque events
in the life of a university because of the wide variation
in styles and colors of the professors' academic robes and
regalia from their alma maters.
- 2
p.m.
- Faculty Convocation in the Rose Theatre with Gov. Bredesen
as the keynote speaker. The University's outstanding teachers,
researchers and advisers will be honored, and retiring faculty
will be recognized.
Visit
the 90th Anniversary
Web site for a timeline of memorable moments in U of M
history, photos from the archives, and more.
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