Happy Birthday Hofstra!!

The University held its 75th anniversary celebration this past weekend to commemorate 75 years of quality academics, exciting student life and commitment to another 75 excellent years.

The first event, on Thursday September 23, was the convocation held in Adams Playhouse. The convocation, featuring award-winning journalist Ted Koppel was a moment to reflect on Hofstra's history and provided quite a few laughs as well.

It was truly inspiring to sit in a theater full of students, staff, alumni and family while learning how much Hofstra has done, celebrated and attempted in such a short time.


The next event of the week followed immediately after the convocation. Singing "Happy Birthday" to Hofstra at the cake cutting was energetic, but what I still can't believe is that the cake was made by Charm City Cakes, featured on the Food Network's Ace of Cakes. I'm a huge fan of the show and was beyond excited to see Geoff, who is one of my favorites, and to see that a cake that large actually can taste quite good!! I know that it's a moment in Hofstra's time that students, staff and family members will look back on with fondness.

Saturday was another full day of fun, events, music, food, fireworks and comedy. People gathered early in the day for the annual parade of floats and to catch a glimpse of the homecoming court.

Followed by the parade and performances, students gathered on the intramural fields for the Live at 75 carnival. With live music, good food, rides and beautiful weather - it really was the perfect way to celebrate such a special occasion!

While all of the musical acts did a great job, I was especially excited that I was able to see Public Enemy.I grew up listening to my brother's PE music collection, and my guilty pleasure used to be watching Flavor of Love, so I couldn't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!!

Hofstra ended the day with a dazzling firework display that rocked every building on campus. I had an excellent view and, following the display, enjoyed Jimmy Fallon's stand up act. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was rather surprised with how funny he was. And, as funny as he was, I was also quite impressed with how talented his two opening acts were. It's nice to see our own Hofstra students participate in campus events and thought they did an excellent job. I hope Jimmy was nice enough to give them some talent advice for the future, because they might have a career in entertainment on their hands!! 

 I hope that everyone enjoyed Hofstra's birthday celebration as much as I did. I assure you, this weekend will be one that you reflect on when you have children in college and look back on your youthful  years filled with Pride and Purpose.