Blog

By Katie Bradley | July 10, 2017

We’re turning 80! This year marks a major milestone for Marian University and the Office of Marketing Communications has been working hard to ensure that everyone gets in on the celebration. Here are a few of the ways we’re marking the milestone:

The Courage to Venture

You won’t catch us lying about our age. We are 80 and so proud of it, we created a logo that says so.

To help commemorate the anniversary, the 80th anniversary image is being used on various university communications. You’ve probably seen it around campus. It’s kind of a big deal.

If you would like to use the graphic for one of your projects, contact Robin Evans, director of creative services, at revans@marian.edu or (317) 955-6570.

Screening of A Sign of the Cross

In January, we kicked off our 80th year celebrations by inviting our alumni, friends, and the Sisters—our guests of honor—to a screening of A Sign of the Cross, a documentary about the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana. We chose this kick-off event to honor our foundresses and celebrate the legacy they have created at Marian University.

From their very origin, the Sisters of St. Francis bravely responded to the needs of the time, whether it was traveling from Austria to rural Indiana, or from rural Indiana to Indianapolis, the Sisters did as God called them to do with the Courage to Venture. You can learn more about the Sisters of St. Francis and their service leadership in education, ministry, and social justice, by reading the 80th anniversary version of The Faithful Leader, our quarterly newsletter celebrating our Catholic mission and identity.

80 Years of Excellence in Teaching

In the winter issue of the Marian University Magazine, we featured alumni teachers from each decade. Finding teacher graduates from Marian was no hardship. We have so many proud teachers and other alumni who are proud of their former classmates who are teachers. Along with featuring an alumnus per decade, we were able to fill the magazine with teacher graduates talking about what motivates them. What an inspiring group of people!

It was such an honor to sit down with these incredible alumni and witness their passion for teaching and dedication to their students. Marian alumni are truly impacting lives and working to make the world a better place. If you did not get a chance to read the magazine, you can read their stories online (beginning on page 3).

#80yearsin80Days

On June 28, we kicked off the #80yearsin80Days social media campaign. What is that you might ask? Throughout the 80 days leading up to Founders’ Day (September 15), we will be sharing our history, facts and photos, and special connections to Indianapolis. Be sure that you are following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to be a part of the fun.

Celebrate at the Courage to Venture Gala

We will celebrate our 80th anniversary and honor the legacy of the Sisters of St. Francis at this year’s Courage to Venture Gala on Friday, November 10 at the JW Marriott. With more than 2,000 people expected to attend, this will be a night to remember.

All proceeds from the gala go to support Marian University scholarships or your designated area. Tickets are now available. Visit our website to learn more about the night’s honorees, special hotel room rates, how you can be a part of this incredible milestone moment.

If you would like to read more about Marian's history, check out Marian University's Connection to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Be Courageous.