LSU is turning 150 in 2010, and the University will be celebrating the birthday all year long.Celebrations for the University’s sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, are already being planned. The Sesquicentennial Committee held its monthly meeting Thursday to discuss ongoing plans for the many projects commemorating the 150 years in LSU history.Rusty Jabour, vice chancellor of communication and University Relations and co-chair of the Sesquicentennial Committee, presented the mission statement for the sesquicentennial, which focuses on three important goals for the year.”During our sesquicentennial year, we’re going to reflect, celebrate and commit,” Jabour said. The year’s events are set to reflect on the University’s history, celebrate the success LSU has achieved and commit to a prosperous future for the school. Jabour said many of the projects are still “in the concept phase,” but the projects in the works are meant to bring together every member of the LSU community.As part of the reflection, a documentary film and a book will look back on where the University began and how far it has come.The hour-long documentary on the history of the University is being produced with Louisiana Public Broadcasters and will debut statewide in early 2010. Later in the year, LSU Press will release “Treasures of LSU,” a book about important pieces of LSU history. A re-release of the documentary is planned to coincide with the publishing of the book.  Celebrations will take place throughout the year. Annual events like Fall Fest, Homecoming and the Chancellor’s Day Parade will have a sesquicentennial presence.An on-campus festival called LSU Day will be celebrated in April. The festival is modeled after Maryland Day at the University of Maryland. The festival is meant to showcase every part of LSU to the community. Maryland’s version of the event draws 75,000 people, and while Jabour does not expect that turnout, his expectations are high.”LSU draws great crowds,” Jabour said.The University’s commitment to the future will come in a Web project called “LSU Serves the World.” The site will honor service by LSU alumni, students and faculty across the globe. The goal is to combine stories of past and contemporary service, Jabour said. Service hours will be logged around the world throughout the year to make a difference in the present while commemorating the work of those in the past.”We want to highlight the LSU connection halfway across the world,” said Jacob Brumfield, Associate Director of Campus Life.Jabour said the committee is being careful to keep the University’s budget situation in mind.Existing events on campus will be given a sesquicentennial twist, a measure Jabour says will save money. Proceeds from the documentary, book and official sesquicentennial merchandise will benefit the Forever LSU campaign.Iftekhar Rouf, accounting sophomore and Chairman of the Sesquicentennial Student Subcommittee said student involvement in the events is essential.”If students don’t participate, the programs are useless,” Rouf said. The committee is working with all major student organizations to get feedback from their constituents on what will make the sesquicentennial special. The students are also considering projects like a time capsule, campus beautification and a celebratory tailgate to commemorate the event.—-
Contact Ryan Buxton at [email protected]