As the academic year closes, Daemen is ramping up plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

Throughout the summer and fall, a spate of events will honor the institution’s history and gather the university’s community of students, alums, faculty, staff and friends.

Summer celebrations 

All majors and classes are welcome at the first Alumni Celebration since 2019, taking place Friday, June 10 to Sunday, June 12. 

• Campus tours, Friday and Saturday
  • Focusing on the institution’s history, guests will have a chance to glimpse Daemen through the eyes of student tour guides and the Alumni Relations team. The free tours run throughout the weekend and can be booked here. 

• Alumni Tent Party, Saturday, June 11, 6 to 10 p.m.
  • This event offers the opportunity to connect with faculty, enjoy food and drinks, and celebrate with alums on the Daemen Front Lawn. Live music will be provided by NY2LA (60’s 70’s and 80’s rock). 

• Academic Program Open Houses, June 11, 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Guests can connect with the current faculty and learn of developments in academic areas around the university. 

• President’s Brunch, Sunday, June 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • President Gary Olson will be in attendance to meet and greet alumni and present updates about the university.

Special 50th anniversary receptions – for the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 – will be held Saturday, June 11, at 11 a.m.,1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. 

Guests can register for any of the events here.

Birthday 

On July 31 – the official 75th anniversary of the founding of the institution as Rosary Hill College, in 1947 – Daemen will send out birthday messages from university community members and alums to honor and celebrate the milestone.

Fall festivities 

Baratunde Thurston – a nationally-known writer, activist and comedian – will serve as keynote speaker at a free and open-to-the-public event on campus, on Tuesday, September 20.

A special 75th-anniversary Founders Week – from September 26 to October 1 – will also highlight autumn activities. 

The week will feature a special Founders Bell ringing ceremony—including 75 bell ringers from the Daemen community chosen in a contest—as well as speakers, faculty panels, the Distinguished Alumni Awards and a student formal. 

President Olson will also deliver a State of the University address.

Founders Week will also include: 

• Founders Day – taking place on Friday, September 29, the day kicks off with a campus luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Founders TGIF will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature games and drinks
  • Casino Night from 6 to 9 p.m.
  • S’mores Night from 9 to 1 p.m. where small bonfires will be available around campus to culminate the day’s events. 

On Saturday, September 30, brunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature music, food and drink. Following brunch, a Golf Cart Parade will take place at 2 p.m. 

The Food Truck Rodeo and Music Festival will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. and will offer several different types of cuisine for families, alums and students – before additional entertainment begins at 7 p.m. to round out the weekend’s celebration.

Daemen Athletics will host throwback jersey nights for volleyball and basketball and an online jersey and merchandise auction. 

The fall festivities will conclude with a talent show on Saturday, October 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Winter events 

December will also feature celebratory events, including Winterfest beginning on Friday, December 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. Several activities and ice sculptures will be featured. 

On Saturday, December 3, the Founders Formal will take place for students featuring dinner, dancing and shuttle services to and from the venue and Daemen’s main street campus. 

Later in the month, faculty and staff will celebrate with a 75th anniversary-themed holiday party and alumni and community guests will celebrate with a reception to celebrate the anniversary as well.