< Back | Home

Kait Gallup, a junior Public Relations major, takes a piece of cake in Schine during the celebration the 137th birthday of Syracuse University, commemorated by National Orange Day. At the event students and various organizations donated art supplies to be given to local school districts and everyone was invited to share in the 'birthday cake'.

Orange Day 2007 | SU celebrates 137 years with bash

By: Brian Hayden

Posted: 3/26/07

A sea of orange decorations and chocolate cake made up the celebration of 137 years of Syracuse University history Friday afternoon in the Schine Student Center atrium.

National Orange Day, which was actually Saturday, marks the anniversary of SU's founding on March 24, 1870.

"We come together in the spirit of Orange," said Barry Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, kicking off the event. "We realize that community service is a hallmark of the university's tradition."

As part of that tradition, Wells, Vice Chancellor Eric Spina and Student Association President Ryan Kelly announced the university's donation of art supplies to the Partners for Arts Education. The donation will directly benefit art instruction in the Syracuse City School District.

"We always try to find a way to connect with the community," Spina said. "This seemed like a natural."

The university wasn't alone in community service engagement this weekend. Thirteen regional alumni clubs were volunteering in a variety of ways across the country Friday and Saturday, according a SU news release.

The university tries to cultivate tradition through the event, Kelly said. "This is one we want to hold on to."

Among the guests at Friday's gathering were Chancellor Nancy Cantor and Otto the Orange, who cut the cake. With the repeated squeaking of his large nose, rapid, spastic arm motions and thumbs-ups, Otto appeared enthusiastic about the event.

"He's really excited. It's his version of Christmas," said Ben Youngerman, a sophomore broadcast journalism major and translator for Otto.

Many students also stopped in to celebrate and share in the cake donated by the SU Bake Shoppe.

"I'm here to respect tradition," said Nikhil Bodhankar, an electrical engineering graduate student, who was happy to stop in. "I'm pretty sure our university should get more recognition for that."

Sophomore communication and rhetorical studies major Maryann Acosta said she heard of the free cake and made her way down with some friends.

"I'm proud to be a part of it," she said. "I'm here to celebrate."

Free skate rentals were offered to anyone wearing orange Friday at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion. The Carrier Dome, University Hospital and National Grid building in downtown Syracuse were all illuminated in orange Friday night in honor of the founding.

Campus dining centers featured an orange-themed dinner Saturday, complete with orange flavored Jell-o, chicken, cheesecake and - of course - oranges.

Liliana Molina, junior information studies and technology major, was beaming with pride at Friday's event.

"It's an honor to go to such a prestigious school," she said.