East Stroudsburg University Celebrates 125th Anniversary

ESU staff celebrate the unearthing of a time capsule.

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on January 5, 2018, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has seen its share of changes in higher education since opening its doors in 1893, and many of those transformations will become part of the institution’s 125th anniversary celebration that begins this month.  ESU’s year-long celebration will kick off on January 22 with a variety of activities taking place inside the University Center, located along Normal Street in East Stroudsburg.

In addition to opening a time capsule that was buried during ESU’s centennial celebration in 1993, an anniversary committee comprised of students, faculty, staff and friends of ESU will host a CANniversary event beginning at 9:30 a.m. Non-perishable items will be collected for the Warrior Food Pantry to help students in need. ESU hopes to collect 1,250 items at the event. The first 250 people to donate (at least) five items will receive a commemorative anniversary t-shirt.  The Warrior Food Pantry has shared a list of items most currently in need.

At 11 a.m. ESU President Marcia G. Welsh will be on hand to officially announce the contents of the University’s 1993 time capsule that was unearthed in November and make some general announcements about events being planned to celebrate ESU’s anniversary throughout the year.

“East Stroudsburg University has a long and storied history. We are excited to travel through time and look at how ESU has evolved over 125 years,” said Welsh. “As I continue my sixth year at ESU, I truly enjoy speaking with alumni, community members, faculty and staff about our history and how we’ve grown! I’m also surprised at how many ESU graduates I meet wherever I go. Whether they attended East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, East Stroudsburg State College, or East Stroudsburg University, each one expresses their pride in their education, the successes they’ve derived from their time here, the life-long friendships they’ve made and the many memories that live on.”

Members of ESU’s anniversary committee hope to make the year-long celebration interactive for everyone – students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends. Throughout the year, the campus will host historical photo exhibits, a founder’s day social, a community dinner, and incorporate the 125th anniversary into the theme of major University events such as Family Weekend and Homecoming.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community are invited to return to campus throughout the year to participate in activities and to view historical exhibits. Anyone interested may also share memories and digital images of their times at ESU – whether they be present day or from years past. Submissions are being accepted at through the anniversary website, esu.edu/125.

To learn more about events planned for the 125th anniversary celebration visit esu.edu/125 or contact Brenda Friday, Ph.D., director of university relations by calling 570-422-3455 or email bfriday@esu.edu.