Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti will start its 175th anniversary celebration Thursday with a birthday party from noon-3 p.m. at the school’s Student Center.
The event, the first of a series of festivities that will take place for the remainder of the academic year, will feature music, photo booths, and more. Students will be able to participate in creative activities, including designing a branded pennant.
“We’re thrilled to kick off a series of events over the next nine months that will both celebrate Eastern’s history and look forward to its future,” says Leigh Greden, chief of staff and anniversary committee chair at EMU. “Eastern carries profound significance for countless individuals, and we aim to relive some pivotal moments that have shaped alumni and the University’s trajectory.”
Greden is working alongside an EMU faculty and staff anniversary committee with goals including honoring EMU’s history and achievements through engaging events, fostering pride among students, employees, alumni, and the community, and providing opportunities for alumni to witness the latest transformative version of EMU.
Founded in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, EMU has evolved, becoming Michigan State Normal College in 1899, Eastern Michigan College in 1956, and officially earning university status in 1959.
Eastern was the first American normal school to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees and the first to offer a four-year curriculum. EMU President James Smith is the 22nd president to preside over the university, not including interim appointments.
According to Jim Egge, associate dean for programs at the College of Arts and Sciences for EMU, Eastern’s history is a testament to the university’s commitment to education and inclusivity.
“When we opened our doors as the Michigan State Normal School, we immediately became a national leader in strengthening teacher preparation and expanding educational opportunities,” says Egge. “Also, from the beginning, we admitted students without restriction by sex or race.”
Christina Trotta, a junior at EMU, has an affinity for EMU because of its rich history and her family legacy.
“Attending a university with such a significant presence in Michigan’s history is a source of pride,” says Trotta. “As a native Michigander, I know EMU has greatly affected our state’s history. One thing I remember on my tour of EMU was the rich history of all the campus buildings. In my free time, I love to look through the archives and research all of the buildings around campus, including some that no longer exist.”
One interesting fact Trotta found out was a former owner of the Detroit Tigers, Walter Owen Briggs Jr., paid for the construction of Briggs Hall as a physical education building.
“We encourage students, faculty, and staff to partake in a fun and relaxed celebration, uniting the campus community through engaging activities, music, and cherished memorabilia from the University Archives,” says Greden.
