Centennial

History

A Century of Uniting Education and Action

It was a different time. A historic awakening. Nazareth was born out of a need for new voices and new ideas from those who previously had no voice. And 100 years later we still strive to answer the larger questions of how far have we come and how will we prepare individuals to improve the world around them?

A two-year celebration

ҹɫ��Ƶ is now more than halfway through its two-year centennial celebration. Since launching this effort in September 2023, Nazareth has commemorated and honored this incredible milestone with a wide range of collaborations, celebrations, and impactful events that have advanced Nazareth's work to lead through empathy, equity, and innovation.

Until the celebration concludes in 2025, Nazareth will continue to share opportunities to reflect on our heritage and take action as courageous changemakers who are open to possibilities and passionate about changing the world around us for the better.

Thank you to Wellington Steele and Associates and the Leva family for their support as the presenting sponsor of the Centennial Celebration.

Beth Paul speaking at podium during centennial kickoff

students sitting at a picnic table under purple lights

Burma summit exhibit showcasing Burmese clothing

Celebrating the Centennial in Video
Whether marking the passage of time, celebrating founding values that still resonate, reminiscing on the evolution of our campus, or highlighting centennial activities the week Nazareth officially turned 100, the centennial has been a remarkable experience.

A Centennial Timeline: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow

Nazareth’s Campus Evolution

Nazareth & The Sisters of St. Joseph: The Spirit Carries on

Celebrating the Centennial @ Naz Weekend 2024

Celebration Highlights

Centennial Celebration Reaches New Heights at Naz Weekend
Naz Weekend 2024 marked the pinnacle of the Centennial Celebration, which will continue until May 2025. Several major centennial-focused activities played a central role in recognizing Nazareth’s incredible past, exciting present, and promising future.

Centennial Jubilee

This “love letter to Nazareth” event honored transformational Naz leaders, unveiled centennial-themed artwork, and granted the first-ever Presidential Medallions of Excellence. The Jubilee featured performances by student musicians and musicians from the Sisters of St. Joseph, plus a commissioned musical composition “100 Strong” written and directed by Emmy Award-winning alum Jack Allocco ‘72.

Centennial Tastings Happy Hour & Soiree

An afternoon of sampling “Nuts for Naz” nuts, “Get Thee to a Nunnery” golden honey ale, “Centennial Spirit” bourbon, and “Naz Centennial Crunch” ice cream led into a night of dining and dancing under the stars on the Golisano Academic Center lawn. The evening was capped by a fireworks display loudly and brightly displaying centennial excitement.

Centennial Gala

A once-in-a-generation event commemorating Nazareth’s impact and mission of uniting education and action. The Gala was a golden opportunity to support Nazareth students while revelling in the last and the next 100 years. It featured live music, student success stories, and a toast with the “Centennial Spirit” bourbon.

Shannon Lecture Series

Nazareth’s Shannon Lecture series filled Linehan Chapel with centennial-inspired reflection about Nazareth’s past, present, and future. Titled “Learning to Live, Together, in Love,” the event featured lectures by Florence, Italy-based multimedia artist and Fulbright scholar Alan Pascuzzi, '91, Jean Bellini, '65, SSJ, and Patricia Schoelles '74, SSJ.

History Wall Unveiling

Members of the Nazareth community and the media gathered for the grand reveal of Nazareth's Centennial History Wall – in GAC’s newly dubbed “Heritage Hallway” – illustrating the story of Nazareth's first 50 years. A second phase of the History Wall will be unveiled in 2025.

Campus & Downtown Centennial Lighting

On-campus purple lights have glowed throughout the ongoing Centennial Celebration, but “peak purple” arrived at Naz Weekend 2024. Golden Flyer Stadium, the Cloister Walk, the Smyth Hall and Golisano Academic Center dormers, O’Connor Complex and Dining Commons outdoor seating areas, and ten trees along North Campus Drive – one for every decade – all shined brightly. Rochester’s skyline was also illuminated in purple as well, representing Nazareth’s storied past and bright future.

Centennial In the News

Centennial excitement at Naz Weekend also caught the media's attention — and garnered an amazing shout out on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

More highlights

For us, looking back is actually about looking forward. Knowing where you've been leads to understanding where you want to go. And going forward into the future is very much on our minds here at Nazareth.

– President Elizabeth Paul

Celebrating Centennial Changemakers
The centennial created myriad opportunities to recognize, honor, and learn about the many inspiring changemakers whose life's work started at Nazareth.

Centennial Presidential Medallion of Excellence Recipients

Nazareth's centennial marked the inaugural presentation of the Presidential Medallion of Excellence. Honorees personify excellence — a consistent theme across Nazareth’s offerings, expertise, passions, and commitments since 1924.

See the honorees

Centennial Changemaker Chat Podcast Series

Centennial Changemaker Chat is a special podcast series honoring ҹɫ��Ƶ's 100th year, featuring engaging conversations with notable individuals who've changed — and continue to change — their industry, their community, and the world for the better, inspired by their personal connection to Nazareth.