Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Media Advisory: Sesquicentennial celebration kicks off Feb. 28

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The 15-month celebration of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s 150th birthday begins in earnest with a ceremony at 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana.

Formal remarks will take place in the Foellinger Great Hall from 3 to 4:30 p.m. At approximately 4:40 p.m., Chancellor Robert Jones will reflect on the campus history of innovation and impact, and explore what it will mean to be a land-grant university in the coming 150 years. Musicians from the university’s School of Music will perform throughout the program.

Following his statement, Jones will cut a crowd-sized birthday cake. The musical group Funkadesi will perform in the Krannert Center lobby from 5-7 p.m.

Parking for the event is available for free in the Krannert Center parking lots.

Founded in 1867 as a land grant institution, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is both celebrating 150 years of transformative experiences and heralding an ambitious vision for the future through learning, discovery and public engagement. More information on our sesquicentennial milestones and festivities is available at http://150.illinois.edu/.  

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