Nazareth University kicks off its Centennial Celebration

VIDEO and SOUND with President Paul linked below

Rochester, NY (09/22/2023) — Nazareth University Centennial Kickoff video and sound (sound starts at 2:37)

A $1.5 million gift, a Centennial logo unveiling, and plans to light up the campus in purple were all part of Nazareth University's official Centennial Celebration kick-off on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at the start of the University's Naz Weekend! The ceremony also announced a wide range of collaborative, impact-focused activities planned throughout a two-year celebration, all under the theme "Nazareth University's Centennial Celebration: A Century of Uniting Education and Action."

The Sisters of St. Joseph, who were represented at the kick-off, opened what was originally called Nazareth College of Rochester on September 24, 1924. Nearly 100 years later, Nazareth University President Beth Paul told the crowd in attendance why the founding sisters' mission continues to be instrumental in the success of Nazareth.

"The sisters showed their love through their support of many important social justice issues over the years and by a deep commitment to spirituality, community, and service," said President Paul. "Their love and appreciation for the importance of education for women - at a time when few in society believed that to be important or even appropriate -enabled them to build an institution in Nazareth that not only survived but thrived for 99 years. So when you think about it, Nazareth is built on love."

In front of Nazareth's board of trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and current students, Nazareth unveiled its Centennial logo and theme and showed a video of images from its all-women origins to the diverse student community now. "Nazareth's Centennial Celebration is both a time to celebrate and to remember what Nazareth University has been, what it is now, and what it will continue to be as a University. A place of learning, born in a time of social revolution and action inside and outside of the classroom, with a commitment to continuing Nazareth's tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work," said Paul.

President Paul also offered a peek at the scope of special Centennial activities taking place, and several of them start during Naz Weekend - attendees can submit their own personal self-portraits into a major Centennial art collaboration called Faces of Nazareth. Alumni can also contribute to a Nazareth Centennial History book being crafted from alumni stories. In October, Nazareth hosts the first of four Centennial Summits, led by our School of Business and Leadership and Nazareth's Institute for Responsible Technology. This summit will bring national experts to campus to join Nazareth experts collaborating on the topic of artificial intelligence and its impact on business. There are also plans to light up the Nazareth University campus in purple, and Nazareth is in talks for some great partnerships such as a possible Naz Centennial-themed beer with a local brewery. At Naz Weekend 2024, Nazareth will host a Centennial Gala to celebrate our actual 100th birthday and honor changemakers from Nazareth and around the world.

The Centennial Celebration kick-off also unveiled a major gift to the University's Casa Italiana. The Frank DiMino Foundation made a generous gift of $1.5 million to the Casa to ensure that this unique Italian education resource continues to play an important role in the Nazareth University experience. Nazareth University's Italian cultural center will now be known as the Frank DiMino Casa Italiana.

The Casa has been a gathering place for Nazareth students and the Italian community of Rochester and beyond since opening in 1978. The Casa has hosted visitors from Italy, including students, guest faculty, writers, musicians, artists, and dancers - all of whom have educated, entertained, and inspired Casa guests through activities like Italian language and cooking classes, cultural events, and community camps.

The gift also will be used to fund annual student scholarships for Nazareth and Italian students in the Pescara, Italy, exchange program and to support the directorship of the Casa.

About Nazareth University's Centennial Celebration: A Century of Uniting Education and Action

During the year leading up to and following the 100th anniversary of Nazareth's founding on September 24, 1924, Nazareth is marking its Centennial Celebration under the theme of A Century of Uniting Education and Action.

Nazareth's Centennial Celebration is both a time to celebrate and to remember what Nazareth University has been, what it is now, and what it will continue to be as a University. A place of learning, born in a time of social revolution and action inside and outside of the classroom, with a commitment to continuing Nazareth's tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work.

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