Kutztown University kicked off its celebrations for its 150th anniversary on Saturday with a parade from campus down Main Street.
Parade grand marshal was 100-year-old, Grace Shankweiler, a 1935 graduate of Kutztown State Teachers College, who rode in a convertible in the parade.
Others riding in the parade were Guido and Susan Pichini, Wyomissing, co-chairs of the university’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, KU President Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson and his wife Ann Marie, Senator Judy Schwank and Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green.
After the parade, Hawkinson said the parade is a wonderful event.
“These anniversaries and celebrations are times for reflection to look back on all the things that this university has done over 150 years and all of the lives that have been touched both among our students, their families, the community. Makes us that much more committed to continuing to do the same mission for the years to come,” said Hawkinson.
The President particularly liked see so many KU students get involved in the parade.
“They marched, they played instruments, they created floats and again it’s a celebration. Parades and other rituals are a way of bringing people together and they are able to share a moment in time, and it’s always a happy moment in time. So I think the parade went very, very well,” he said.
In addition to KU student groups and fraternities, the parade included the KU Marching Unit, cheer and dance teams, as well as KU Radio. Local high school marching bands from Kutztown, Fleetwood, Oley, Hamburg and Wyomissing marched and the Hawk Mountain Highlanders and Celtic United pipe bands performed.
The Phillie Phanatic and mascots from the Reading Royals and Reading Fightin Phils joined KU’s Avalanche the Golden Bear.
“We really enjoyed waving to everyone and greeting people,” said Hawkinson. “We would have brought Winnie (their dog) but it was a little too warm today. I know we disappointed the crowd for not having Winnie in the car with us.”
Hawkinson hosts weekly Walks with Winnie.
Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green also enjoyed participating in the parade.
“It’s just like our Bicentennial but a Sesquicentennial. It’s a great celebration,” said Green after the parade. “Community, university, it’s all one big celebration. I’m looking forward to this week with all of the activities that are going on.”
Green intends to attend as many of the events as possible.
“Dr. Hawkinson, he attended all of that week of Bicentennial activities. I think we need to do the same with the university as well. They’re part of our community,” said Green.
Kutztown resident Bob Hobaugh really enjoyed the KU 150th Parade.
“What is great about it is it marks the 150th anniversary of the university which is so important for our community, so we in the community like to share their joy,” said Hobaugh, a member of Kutztown Rotary Club and Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce.
Kutztown Borough Council member Derek Mace could heard shouting and cheering from a Main Street porch during the parade.
“I loved the parade. I think Kutztown needs more parades. We had a fantastic 200 year anniversary parade, 150th for the university, spectacular, so more parades in Kutztown,” said Mace. “It brings everybody out, everybody’s happy, everybody gets to celebrate together and wave at their neighbors. We’re all one big community, and we remind ourselves of that at a parade or other public functions so it’s just a great time to socialize.”
Later that day, KU football faced Mercyhurst followed by a fireworks display in the stadium.
The day’s festivities are a part of Founders’ Week being celebrated at KU Sept. 9 – 15. The university officially turns 150 on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. A birthday party with cake, entertainment and the burial of a time capsule, will be held in Alumni Plaza at that time.
For a complete list of anniversary events visit www.kutztown.edu/150.
