LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College will kick off the celebration of its 125th anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 27, with its Raise the Flag event at 2-4 p.m. at the LCSC Silverthorne Theatre.
The event, which is free and open to the public, includes a social with music provided by the LCSC Jazz Band, a welcome from President J. Anthony (Tony) Fernandez, a 25-minute documentary of the school’s history, and a keynote address by local historian and LCSC alumnus Steven Branting. The event will close with the ceremonial unveiling of a flag atop Reid Centennial Hall as a tribute to the school’s founding vision and spirit of perseverance.
The college turns 125 on that day, which marks the anniversary of when Idaho Gov. William J. McConnell authorized the establishment of Lewiston State Normal School in 1893. It will be the first time a flag has flown above the building since a fire destroyed most of the structure, including its tower, in 1917. Charred beams can still be seen inside the tower today. At the college’s centennial celebration in 1993, the school rebuilt the cupola and added a clock to the tower. This year’s addition of the flag is seen as completion of the restoration project and as a symbolic reclaiming of the school’s ambitious founding vision.
The event is the first in a series to celebrate the anniversary of the college.
LCSC will also hold a birthday party on Jan. 29 at 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building. All are welcome to come enjoy refreshments, prize giveaways, a photo booth, memory wall, and more. The documentary commemorating the anniversary and LCSC’s history will play in room 143 at the SUB during the event.
Some of the other events planned throughout the year to help commemorate the occasion include a Warrior4Life basketball night on Feb. 8, commencement on May 11, a Coeur d’Alene Lake cruise on Sept. 15, and Homecoming on Oct. 18-20, which will wrap up the celebration. The final event is a Foundation Celebration dinner on Oct. 20. Additional events are being planned and will be announced throughout the year.
The college has established a special website for the anniversary celebration. To learn more about the college’s history and celebration plans, visit 125.lcsc.edu.
As part of the 125th celebration, the college has set a goal of raising $1.25 million to be used in a variety of areas, including scholarships, degree programs, athletics, and the LCSC general fund. Donors have the choice of where their donations will go. To donate or for more information, visit the anniversary website and click on the “donate” button (125.lcsc.edu/donate).