West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino will formally kick off WCU’s 150th anniversary in his “welcome back” address to students, faculty, staff, and the community on Friday, Sept. 17 at 1 PM in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall.

Using the historic, in-person moment, Fiorentino will:

• celebrate WCU’s numerous successes, including healthy enrollments
• detail new national initiatives that are being forged on behalf of student success
• announce the official launch of a $65 million comprehensive campaign, entitled 150Forward, as the largest campaign of its kind in the university’s history
• share his vision of how WCU can best continue to fulfill its mission of student success in the next 150 years

Birthday Celebration & Senator’s Citation Presentation to Follow Outdoors in the Quad at 2 PM

Immediately following the address at 2 PM, the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band will play as WCU cheerleaders and members of the dance team greet students, faculty, staff, and guests outside in the Academic Quad, which will feature purple and gold anniversary fanfare. Fiorentino and Rammy, the Golden Ram mascot, will be among those cutting the 150th birthday cupcake.

Local elected officials will present a Senate Resolution and House Citation to Fiorentino. The Senate Resolution and House Citation will honor WCU for being a distinctive leader in higher education that is committed to student success. The commendations from the Commonwealth will publicly recognize the university’s dedication to provide affordable access to learning and an intentional path that enables generations of graduates to succeed personally and professionally, while contributing to the common good. 

Singer/songwriter Devon Gilfillian, a member of WCU’s Class of 2013, is another special guest who will be on hand to extend greetings to the community. During the afternoon ceremony, Gilfillian will present a signed copy of his Grammy-nominated album, Black Hole Rainbow, to be included in the “WCU 150: History and Heritage” interactive museum exhibit.

At 8 PM, Gilfillian — who performed his hit song, “The Good Life,” on Jimmy Kimmel Live — will perform a free concert in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Opens 150th Exhibition by WCU Museum Studies Students at 3 PM

At 3 PM, Fiorentino, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Museum Director Michael Di Giovine, Museum Studies students, and others will cut the ribbon to officially open “WCU 150: History and Heritage,” located on the main floor of the Francis Harvey Green Library. Sponsored by the West Chester University Alumni Association and designed by students in WCU’s Museum Studies program, the interactive exhibit presents the history and development of the university from a Normal School founded to train high school-aged elementary school teachers in the post-Civil War period to a State Teacher’s College in the 1920s to a comprehensive liberal arts university.

The exhibit features a timeline tracing 150 years of WCU’s history, illustrated with period photographs from university archives. Hundreds of artifacts lend depth to the experience and include:

• an autographed copy of Frederick Douglass’s biography
• memorabilia from Olympian and Paralympian alumni
• a drumhead used in the marching band’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
• flora specimens from the centuries-old Darlington Herbarium
• a Torah scroll purchased by students for the university’s Holocaust Studies program
• award-winning art and music
• various teaching technologies, including a Donner 3500 analog computer

At the center of the exhibition is a clear, interactive time capsule created by Tom Haughey, associate professor of theater and the museum’s exhibits designer. Visitors are encouraged to deposit their own meaningful objects. Anthropology, Archaeology, and Museum Studies students will catalog and analyze the time capsule’s contents at the exhibition’s conclusion.

PECO’s Crown Lights to Display Anniversary Message to WCU During Evening Hours

The iconic crown lights on top of the PECO building, located at 23rd and Market streets, will display a special anniversary message to WCU on Sept. 17, 18, and 19. The Philadelphia skyline will light up with the following: “West Chester University Celebrates 150 Years of Student Success!”

Learn more about West Chester University.