Centennial Communications

Best Practices Guide

Boilerplate Pre-Event Speech 

As regularly scheduled and special events happen from September 2023 - May 2024, event hosts will typically have an opportunity to greet guests/attendees. Introductory speakers are asked to always preface their event-specific welcome remarks with an acknowledgment of the University’s Centennial Celebration.

Welcome to (name of your event). Before we begin, I’d like to take a moment to recognize that this event is taking place during Nazareth University’s Centennial Celebration. In the year leading up to and following the 100th anniversary of Nazareth’s founding on September 24, 1924, Nazareth is marking this celebration under the theme of A Century of Uniting Education and Action. Nazareth would like to thank Wellington Steele & Associates and the Leva Family for being the presenting sponsor of its Centennial Celebration.  

Nazareth’s Centennial is a time to celebrate and remember who we have been, who we are, and who we will continue to be as a University. Nazareth is a place of learning, born in a time of social revolution inside and outside of the classroom. Nazareth is committed to continuing our tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, while preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work.

With our institutional values — courage, empathy, equity, community, ingenuity, transformational learning, and integrative thinking – close to our hearts and minds, this event, in a  unique way, honors the intersection of education and action. For the benefit of Nazareth University’s students, our institution, and our world. For 100 years before this exciting milestone, and another 100 years to come.

Abridged Boilerplate Pre-Event Remarks

For use in events — such as Nazareth athletic games/matches or theater/arts/dance performances — that occur repeatedly, and that are often attended by a similar audience. In these instances, a shorter statement regarding the Centennial Celebration may be more appropriate than repeatedly using the longer version. 

Welcome to (name of your event). Today’s (game/event/match/ performance/etc.) is taking place during Nazareth University’s Centennial Celebration, which is presented by Wellington Steele & Associates and the Leva Family. In the year prior to and after the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1924, Nazareth University is marking A Century of Uniting Education and Action, and envisioning its next 100 years. Thank you for being a part of our Centennial Celebration.  

Centennial Celebration Messaging/Talking Points

Faculty and staff will have numerous opportunities over the course of the next two years to speak, write, and communicate about Nazareth’s Centennial. Collectively, faculty and staff will encounter thousands of people, from students and their families to alumni and donors; from public and private sector leaders to advocacy organizations — many of whom will have questions about (or who will be unaware of) Nazareth University’s Centennial. 

As an aid to those conversations and communications, the following provides a message architecture for communicating regarding the Centennial:

• Nazareth University’s official centennial takes place on September 24, 2024. This marks 100 years from the day that Nazareth College of Rochester opened its doors in 1924. 

• When an institution has waited 100 years for a milestone as exciting as this, and intends to use the Centennial as a springboard for another 100 years, it’s worth making the most of this important moment. Nazareth University has committed to a two-year Centennial Celebration, starting on September 24, 2023, throughout the year leading up to and following the 100th anniversary of Nazareth’s founding on September 24, 1924.

• Nazareth University is marking this celebration under the theme of A Century of Uniting Education and Action.

• Nazareth’s Centennial Celebration is a time to celebrate and remember who we have been, who we are, and who we will continue to be as a University. Nazareth is a place of learning, born in a time of social revolution and action inside and outside of the classroom. Nazareth is committed to continuing a tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work.

• With our institutional values — courage, empathy, equity, community, ingenuity, transformational learning and integrative thinking – close to our hearts and minds, the Centennial Celebration will honor the intersection of education and action that takes place every single day at Nazareth. For the benefit of Nazareth University’s students, our institution, and our world. For 100 years before this exciting milestone, and another 100 years to come. 

• The Centennial will be filled with many events, activations, and celebrations,  intended to:

• Inspire/create change-motivated collaboration that creates impact 
• Drive awareness of and celebrate Nazareth — and give the public opportunities to interact with Naz. 
• Deliver consistent, visible messages about the centennial over the course of two years. 

More: Celebrating our Centennial

• Examples of planned Centennial activities include, but are not limited to:

• A series of four Centennial Summits will bring experts from Nazareth and the nation to campus, to collaborate on important topics such as artificial intelligence and its impact on business.

• Collaborations and partnerships, including fun projects like a Naz Centennial-themed beer with a local brewery to centennial events with organizations like the Rochester Red Wings.   

• Enhancing the Nazareth University campus with Centennial signage and banners — and using lighting to turn our campus purple at night. 

• A Centennial Gala, which not only celebrates our actual 100th anniversary – but also serves as a platform to honor changemakers from Nazareth and around the world. 

• Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and other friends of Nazareth will have an opportunity to submit their own personal self-portraits to a major Centennial art collaboration called Faces of Nazareth. 

• Nazareth University is soliciting Centennial ideas and suggestions for what can be added to the campus where the beloved stables once stood. 

• It’s important to note that the Centennial Plan will continue to evolve and change. And that any new ideas for how to celebrate the Centennial are welcome. New centennial ideas and thoughts can be submitted to marcomm@naz.edu.

Press Release/Document boilerplate 

During the two-year centennial Celebration, there will frequently be documents, such as press releases, presentations, and other written communications that may be shared externally by faculty and staff. When appropriate, placing a Nazareth University Centennial celebration boilerplate on such communications can further serve to provide background regarding the centennial to audiences who may or may not know that Nazareth has reached this important milestone. Boilerplate language that can be used/integrated into other written communication:  

About Nazareth University's Centennial Celebration: A Century of Uniting Education and Action

During the year leading up to and following the 100th anniversary of Nazareth’s founding on September 24, 1924, Nazareth is marking its Centennial Celebration under the theme of A Century of Uniting Education and Action. 

Nazareth’s Centennial Celebration is a time to celebrate and remember what Nazareth University has been, what it is now, and what it will continue to be as a University place of learning, born in a time of social revolution and action inside and outside of the classroom, with a commitment to continuing Nazareth’s tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work.

More: Celebrating our Centennial