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“The University of Tampa will hold its Picnic in the Park on Sunday, April 15, noon-4 p.m. rain or shine,” UT’s website blared last Friday. Nothing was to stand in the way of the university’s ceremony unofficially closing out the celebration of UT’s 75th anniversary.
The 75th Anniversary celebration has been in effect since June ’06. Lasting through the ’06-’07 academic year, the celebration’s ‘official’ ending will be with the upcoming May commencement.
“It’s a good way to celebrate the 75 years. A lot of work has been done with the new organization, and I’m looking forward to another 75 years,” said Joe Sclafani, dean of college of liberal arts and sciences.
To no surprise, his wife shared the same attitude as he towards UT’s prosperous growth.
“It’s a celebration of how far they’ve come and accomplished. It’s light years from what they’ve come from years ago, even the quality, space and size,” said Linda Sclafani.
Barbara Pennington and Susan Crawley, UT’s consultants of development and university relations, helped coordinate the 75th anniversary celebration, along with others from campus and the community.
“Our role as coordinators was from inception to celebrations and will commence with providing information and materials to the archives,” said Pennington and Crawley. “We worked very closely with development, public information, CLAS/COB, student government, organizations, 75th advisory council, Dr. Vaughn and numerous volunteers.”
The purpose of the celebration was to honor people from the university’s history, then further celebrate those honors with alumni, students, university friends and to give the public insight of UT’s significance, while sharing the school’s future blue print plans of expansion.
“I am proud of the university and its long heritage in the community. I am also proud of the students who come out as leaders of the community and pleased with how the city has preserved Plant Hall as an historical monument,” said Vicki Walker, Tampa resident.
Walker has lived in the area since ’93 and has been a longtime supporter of UT. She used to watch former UT All-American volleyball player Erica Womack.
“We’re really close,” said Walker. “She calls me her mentor.”
Another Tampa resident, Tony Escalante, has only been in the area for a year and already holds the utmost respect for UT.
“75 years to me means a continuation of my education about Tampa. Where I come from in San Antonio is diverse just as it is here,” said Escalante.
Escalante provided a brief background of his heritage, adding that he is not the first Escalante in Tampa.
“There was a Spanish explorer who was shipwrecked here in the 1500s and the Indians raised him. I learned that when I went to the Cigar City Chronicles,” said Escalante.
According to the consultants of development and university relations, an anniversary council of UT alumni, students, faculty, staff and a media coverage group were formed to notify the public of the events. Ads that ran in various area newspapers were designed for the October 5 and April 15 events.
The 75th Anniversary logo could also be spotted around different campus locations.
“The opening ceremony was held October 5, 2006; it was a celebration on the east verandah honoring our history and thanking those who laid the foundation for the University of Tampa, said Pennington and Crawley. “Our special guests were members of the Spaulding family, the sons, grandsons and great grandchildren of UT’s founder and 1st President, Dr. Frederic H. Spaulding.”
Charity events were included throughout the year-long celebration as well. In November, there was a Chairman’s Ball held in Plant Park to raise money for a 75th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship.
One of the many events at the closing of the anniversary was the UT dancers. They gave the audience a sneak peak of four Spring Dance Happening performances out of the program, which will take place April 25 through 28.
“The 75th Anniversary was a wonderful opportunity for the university to ‘strut its stuff,’ so to speak,” said Crawley. “Many of us have worked at UT and have a special bond with [it] … both Ms. Pennington and I were eager to show Tampa what the UT of today is all about. We wanted everyone to know about the educational experience, the talented students and the exceptional professors; that it wasn’t just a beautiful campus in a sub-tropical climate.”
Twenty-five years from now the university will celebrate the centennial and current students will be asked back to wonderful celebrations. Pennington and Crawley encourages everyone to stay in touch with UT through the alumni office and keep your contact information updated.
“Being an alumnus makes [us] a part of UT’s history and allows [us] to assist in shaping the future of The University of Tampa.”
Cake was provided courtesy of Sodexho and ice cream was provided by Blue Bell, who are coincidentally celebrating their 100th birthday.