Peggy Lane, associate professor in the Department of Accounting and Information Systems and President Michael Lane speak with guest at the Founder’s Day Luncheon Tuesday afternoon in the Memorial Union Colonial Ballroom. The celebration titled, “Honor the Past – Celebrate Today,” marked the147th year as a university for ESU.

Emporia State celebrated its 147^th year as a university on Tuesday in the Memorial Union Colonial Ballroom with this year’s Founders’ Day Luncheon themed “Honor the Past – Celebrate Today.” ESU was originally established as the Kansas State Normal School in February 1863.

“It’s an opportunity for students and alumni and supporters of the college to all get together and kind of reflect on the past and then look forward to what we have coming at Emporia State and the many things that the university has accomplished and is doing for students and the community,” said David Sparks, media relations coordinator.

Sparks said members of the Black and Gold and Kellogg Societies were especially invited because of their support and contributions to the school.

“We have people from the Black and Gold Society, which is kind of a support arm of the foundation and also the Kellogg Society and those are people that have indicated a gift to Emporia State in their estates and that kind of thing when they pass on,” Sparks said.

Photos of ESU campus throughout the years were set up outside the ballroom for people to look at.

“It’s kind of a historical look at what’s gone on on-campus in the past,” Sparks said.

A Cajun buffet was served in conjunction with the luncheon’s Mardi Gras theme. The buffet was $8 for guests, but staff and faculty received a discount based on how many years they’ve worked at the university. Sparks said the event was funded by the money it earned.

“I think it’s neat to combine it to the Mardi Gras theme. You know, it’s either Mardi Gras or Valentine’s Day. We kind of fall right in the middle of that aspect,” said James Williams, associate provost and vice president for strategic partnerships.

A welcome was provided by Alumni Association Board of Directors Russ Everhart followed by a student saxophone quartet performance. Students Ethan Francis, Ben Reilly, PJ Stephenson and Matt Vossler performed selections from “Yuppieville Rodeo” by Mike Mower, “Heads Up” by Bill Holcombe, “Night Song,” “Crumpets for Two” and “Cheek to Cheek” by Irving Berlin. Senior music major PJ Stephenson said he thought the luncheon was a good way to display the music department.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to showcase the music department as well as the woodwind portion of the department and it’s a great opportunity for us to meet other people involved with the university, faculty and the donors,” Stephenson said.

ESU’s birthday cake was cut by Paula Sauder who represented the Kellogg Society and Qassim Almukhtar, junior computer and information systems major.

ESU President Michael Lane gave a Founders’ Day message and reception entertainment was provided by pianist Hua Jiang.
Williams said he thinks it’s important to celebrate Founder’s Day because ESU has played an important role in the state and in the lives of many people. He said that the school’s mission is a foundation in providing public access to higher education and that it takes an inclusive approach, creating an institution that supports the students.

“We don’t look at the old cliché of look to your left, look to your right and they’re going to be gone, you know, we want to look to your left, look to your right and everybody’s here at graduation, and I think that makes it special,” Williams said.

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