AMHERST, N.Y. -- Daemen College’s annual Founders Celebration, which commemorates the college’s founding and its rich history of academic excellence, was officially observed with the ceremonial ringing of Founders Bell in a special virtual ceremony. 

“Although we were unable to hold our traditional in-person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited to continue this wonderful tradition by holding a virtual ceremonial bell ringing,” said Daemen President Gary Olson. “Our Founders Celebration honors our origins, our heritage, and, most importantly, our long tradition of academic excellence. For 73 years, our college has valued and championed a level of academic rigor and personal attention to students not found in many colleges.” 

The ceremonial Founders Bell ringing includes one ring to signify each decade since the college was founded in 1947. Bell ringers for this year’s celebration include President Olson; John Yurtchuk, chair of the Daemen Board of Trustees; Sr. Nancy Zelma, O.S.F. ‘80, of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, the college’s founding congregation; Alan Turner ’93, representing 69 years of graduates; Telena Smith, president of the Student Government Association; Dr. Greg Ford, Faculty Senate president and chair of the physical therapy program; and Dr. Kathleen Murphy, emeritus faculty member.

Founders Bell, which is located adjacent to Founders Walkway outside Daemen’s historic Rosary Hall, was initially crafted in 1858 by the renowned Meneely Bell Foundry. 

As part of this year’s Founders Celebration, a virtual College History Timeline has been created where the campus community can step into the college’s archives and discover 73 years of institutional history. To learn more about Daemen’s history, contact the alumni relations office at alumni@daemen.edu or at 839-8212.