Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, which was founded by the Church of the Brethren in 1899, is celebrating its 125th anniversary by hosting events throughout its 2024-25 academic year as well as posting related information and highlights from its history on the college website.
The Aug. 23 Convocation marks the official start to the college’s 125th anniversary year. On April 25, 2025, a 125 Celebration Gala will close out the 125th anniversary year.
“As we celebrate this significant milestone, we honor the legacy of those who have contributed to the College’s rich history and look forward to the many ways that Elizabethtown College will continue to shape the world for the next 125 years and beyond,” said the introduction to a webpage sharing “Etown Stories.”
“In celebration of 125 years of Elizabethtown College, follow along as we share 125 compelling stories of our Blue Jay community through the years. Check back regularly as stories will be added each week to commemorate the historic milestone year.”
Alumni, students, staff, and faculty are invited to share their favorite stories about their time at the college, from funny anecdotes to moments of mentorship to a standout experience. Instructions and a form for submitting stories are at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0_mMHzsHhefJwHsHwLbLM8IO1xZoytdjv1-Tol6wceYio8Q/viewform. For questions, email 125etown@etown.edu.
Another web page offers insights into the history of Elizabethtown College, providing a general overview and tracing its origins back to its founding in 1899. “Learn about the early days of the college, its growth and development over the years, and the milestones that have shaped its identity today,” said an introduction. “From its humble beginnings to its current standing as a respected institution, view a glimpse into Elizabethtown College’s fascinating history.” Go to www.etown.edu/about/history.
In addition, the Hess Archives Digital Collections are noted, which include the Anna V. Blough Missionary Letters and Diaries from China; Church of the Brethren Peace Pamphlets; Digital Photograph Collections, comprising the Elizabethtown College Historic Image Collection and the Church of the Brethren Photograph Collection; the Elizabethtown College yearbooks; Our College Times magazine; The Etownian student newspaper; College Catalogs; Elizabethtown magazine; audio and video collections; the Flory Teaching Cloths; the Dennis L. Hughes Photographs of the Amish; and a number of Brethren book titles that are part of the Brethren Digital Archives. Go to https://libraryguides.etown.edu/digitalcollections/overview.
Find out more at the anniversary index page at www.etown.edu/125-celebration/index.aspx. The anniversary events calendar is at www.etown.edu/125-celebration/events.aspx.
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Dear church family: Nominating Committee seeks nominations for leadership positions in the Church of the Brethren
- Letter of lament and blessing is sent to the former Church of the Brethren congregations in Puerto Rico
- Learning by serving at Bethany
- Upcoming urban ministry course takes place in Atlanta
- Peace witness at Raytheon/RTX brings together Church of the Brethren and other participants