The University of Western Ontario Alumni Association is launching a new initiative to celebrate the historic roots of the university.
One of Canada’s oldest universities, Western was founded on March 7, 1878 when the UWO Act was proclaimed. To commemorate this day, members of the Alumni Association have developed a grassroots initiative to promote Founder’s Day.
Robert Collins (BA ’77), Director of the Alumni Association Board and Chair of the Alumni Outreach Committee is spearheading this initiative to “reinforce that pride of going to Western and staying connected to Western” through an annual celebration on March 7.
“A volunteer committee is looking at championing this concept to remind alumni of the rich history of Western,” he says.
Many universities in the United States and the United Kingdom hold Founder’s Day activities. Similar to the support garnered from Homecoming events, Collins foresees Western’s Founder’s Day as an opportunity for local alumni branches and chapters, as well as current students, faculty and staff to participate in activities highlighting the university’s history and achievements.
“We are looking to raise awareness this year,” he says, adding co-ordinators want to expand the initiative in upcoming years to include special programming and events.
Although specific activities have not been planned for the ‘soft launch’ of Western’s Founder’s Day, Collins encourages alumni to be ‘purple and proud’ on March 7 by sporting university clothing or Mustang colours. Alumni can also express the contributions Western made in their lives through a video or host a guest lecturer at a chapter or branch event.
Unlike Homecoming, Collins says alumni can celebrate Founder’s Day wherever they are situated. “This is like a Western Homecoming around the world,” he says.
Western’s Department of Alumni Relations and Development is supporting Collins and his fellow alumni on this initiative.
Alumni Outreach Officer Natalie Devereux says Founder’s Day would provide Western with an opportunity to learn more about the university.
“Founder’s Day provides another opportunity to strengthen Western’s profile locally, nationally and internationally,” she says, adding it allows for those unable to participate in tradition campus events, such as Homecoming, to be involved. “It is yet another opportunity to strengthen that shared pride and passion for Western.”
Devereux foresees the Founder’s Day initiative over the next three to five years, including the implementation of alumni and community events.
Anyone with thoughts or ideas about how to expand Founder’s Day is encouraged to contact the co-ordinating committee at ndevereu@uwo.ca.
For more information about the history of Western visit https://communications.uwo.ca/about/waywewere.htm.