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?
Nazareth University 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.
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
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.
Congressional Shout Out »
FOX Rochester Jack Allocco and Beth Paul »
WROC Centennial Wall »
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
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.
Centennial Changemaker Chat Podcast Series
Centennial Changemaker Chat is a special podcast series honoring Nazareth University'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.
John Drain '83
Media Changemaker
Jeff VanGundy '85
Sports Changemaker
Alicia Borrachero '90
Acting Changemaker
Neal Powless '98
Changemaker in Athletics and Indigenous Culture
Nick Cicero '09
Changemaker in Social Media
Norma Kanarek '74
Changemaker in Research
May 16–17
Celebrating the Centennial in Light
Beautiful purple lighting is shining across campus, in honor of Nazareth's Centennial Celebration
Centennial Posters Available for Purchase
Support Nazareth by ordering limited edition Naz centennial posters.
Follow #NazAthletics100
From March–December 2024, we revealed the top 100 moments in Nazareth Athletics history.
100 for 100
We invite you to become a part of a landmark “100 for 100” initiative in honor of our next 100 years.