All who share in the pride and commitment to Nebraska Wesleyan University have a wonderful opportunity this year to reconnect with friends, faculty, and staff as the University celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Anniversary events and activities will occur throughout the year on campus, across Nebraska, and beyond, keeping with the theme, “125 Years Anew.”

Festivities will officially kick off September 19-20 with the annual Visions & Ventures Symposium, which will feature NWU alumni who will discuss diverse topics and their personal contributions to their current field. These alumni will also share how their Nebraska Wesleyan University experience shaped a path for their success.

In addition to the symposium, the 125th anniversary kickoff activities will include an Old Main cornerstone ceremony, campus photo, and campus picnic. The celebration continues in October with homecoming and an all-class reunion.

Those unable to make it back to campus are invited to join us at alumni events, music performances, and athletic competitions across the country. Alternatively, alumni and friends are invited to join current faculty, staff and students in service and collectively give 12,500 hours of volunteer time to community service during this anniversary year.

Anniversary observances will continue throughout the year, concluding in September 2013. Be sure to check the website and our Facebook page for more information in coming weeks.

125th Anniversary Kickoff Schedule of Events

Wednesday, September 19

Visions & Ventures Symposium: Our Story Continues
7 p.m., O’Donnell Auditorium
“Providing Models of Social Responsibility and Obtaining the American Dream”
Panelists: Vidette Mixon (’74), Director of Corporate Relations for Wespath Investment Management, a division of the United Methodist Church; Judith Patrick (’72), President and CEO of the Women's Foundation of California; Hon. John M. Gerrard ('76), U.S. District Court Judge for District of Nebraska.

Thursday, September 20

Visions & Ventures Symposium: Our Story Continues
9:30 a.m., O’Donnell Auditorium
“Contributions Toward Human Health”
Panelists: Denise Bulling (’82), Senior Research Director, University of Nebraska Public Policy Center; Susan Schultz (’86), Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine; Scott Shipman (’91), Director of Primary Care Initiatives and Workforce Analysis, Association of American Medical Colleges

Old Main Cornerstone Ceremony
11 a.m., Old Main southwest lawn

Campus photo of faculty, staff, students, faculty emeriti, alumni
11:30 a.m., Old Main west lawn

Campus picnic
Noon – 1:30 p.m., Taylor Commons
Music provided by faculty/staff band “Release Time” and NWU theatre students

Visions & Ventures Symposium: Our Story Continues
2 p.m., O’Donnell Auditorium
“Opportunities to End Hunger”
Panelists: Mark Eisenhart (’90), Senior Business Development Manager-Pfizer Account, Adayana; Douglas Maxwell (’63), Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Scott Young (’01), Executive Director, Food Bank of Lincoln

Elder Gallery Talk: “I Am Because We Are: Photos of Africa”
3:30 p.m., Elder Gallery; 4 p.m. book signing
Betty Press (’64), Photographer, Adjunct Professor of Photography, University of Southern Mississippi

Visions & Ventures Symposium: Our Story Continues
7 p.m., O’Donnell Auditorium
“Education Policy and Practice”
Panelists: Erin Duncan (’96), Federal Lobbyist, National Education Association; Jay Lemons (’83), President, Susquehanna University; Antwan Wilson (’95), Assistant Superintendent, Office of Postsecondary Readiness, Denver Public Schools