National Orange Day Celebrates Syracuse University’s Founding in 1870

Each year, to commemorate Syracuse University’s founding on March 24, 1870, the University community comes together to honor SU’s birthday through participation in community service projects and displays of school spirit.

This year, the celebration of the University’s 148th birthday on National Orange Day, March 24, will kick off Syracuse University’s first-ever Forever Orange Week. The Forever Orange Student Alumni Council will host the week—with celebrations planned on campus, in the community and across the country.

Syracuse University will host a National Orange Day celebration from 2-3:30 p.m. inside the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center. Current students are encouraged to wear their best Orange gear and enjoy snacks, a special SU birthday treat and photo opportunities with Otto. The event is free to attend for current students, but space is limited, so register to secure your spot.

“As a member of the Forever Orange Student Alumni Council and Black Legacy (an a cappella group), we’re incredibly excited and grateful to participate in Syracuse’s birthday tradition this year,” says Ryan Bolton ’18, a computer engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “It’s an event that reminds us of the legacy and the greatness that the University has to offer, and how we are always going to be a part of this phenomenal Orange family.”

University College and the Student Association are partnering with the Rescue Mission to hold a collection drive to gather toiletry items for those in need. The campuswide initiative will take place March 19-30. Collection boxes will be placed in the Schine Student Center, University College, Day Hall, Flint Hall, Brewster Hall, Boland Hall and Ernie Davis Hall. Collection boxes will also be placed in Graham Dining Hall, Brockway Dining Hall and Goldstein Student Center on South Campus.

Items needed include the following:

• Deodorant (men’s and women’s)
• Razors (men’s and women’s)
• Shaving cream
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Shower gel/body wash
• Soap
• Feminine hygiene products

University College staff will join students on March 30 in the atrium of the Schine Student Center to sort items collected. To volunteer to pick up or sort items, contact Jack Woltman at jbwoltma@syr.edu. For more information, contact Eileen Jevis at 315.443.3527 or ejevis@uc.syr.edu.

Many Syracuse University alumni clubs honor SU’s birthday by giving back to their communities through service projects. Clubs in Albany (the Capital District), Boston, Colorado, Philadelphia, Michigan, Portland (Stumptown), Syracuse (Central New York) and Tampa Bay have service projects planned during Forever Orange Week, while the Syracuse Alumnae Club will make a donation to Samaritan Center, an organization that fights hunger in Syracuse.

The SU Alumni Club of Chicago volunteered at the United Church of Rogers Park to feed the area’s homeless Feb. 11. The Alumni Club of Arizona assembled nutritional meals for hungry children around the world March 10, while the Alumni Group of Westchester/Fairfield Counties held a happy hour celebration March 14 to benefit the New York City High School for Leadership and Public Service.

No matter where you are, you can share how you’re celebrating National Orange Day and Forever Orange Week on social media using  #4EverOrange.