By Jeff Murphy,
February 1, 2019
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 As the state of Missouri approaches a historic milestone, the University
of Central Missouri, which has a played a significant role in helping to educate thousands
of Missourians, will celebrate its rich heritage and future with its sesquicentennial
celebration planned February through December 2021.
A group of university community members has been meeting in recent months to prepare
for and promote this observance. The Sesquicentennial Planning Committee is led by
Amber Clifford-Napoleone, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology and director
of the McClure Archives and University Museum. Although many details are still being considered, the celebration of UCM鈥檚 150th
year tentatively includes special exhibitions and lectures, a commemorative brick
program, and special recognition for graduates of the sesquicentennial class.
UCM鈥檚 Board of Governors has approved the official designation of the academic year
2021-2022 as UCM鈥檚 150th or sesquicentennial year, under the slogan 鈥150 Years of
Education for Service.鈥 This commemorates the university鈥檚 founding in April 1871
as Warrensburg State Normal School #2. Students who began their four-year academic
degree in August 2018 comprise the 150th year class.
UCM鈥檚 sesquicentennial celebration takes place as the state of Missouri prepares to
celebrate its bicentennial in 2021, marking 200 years since Missouri was admitted
into the Union of the United States of America Aug. 10, 1821. 鈥淢issouri 2021鈥 special
commemorative events are being coordinated by the State Historical Society of Missouri,
which also will recognize UCM鈥檚 historic milestone among many opportunities to promote
and celebrate Missouri鈥檚 history. The statewide Bicentennial Alliance, a coalition
of non-profit organizations and government agencies, also is working to develop and
promote projects across the state that celebrate Missouri鈥檚 bicentennial.
At the same time UCM is observing its 150th year, it also celebrates 140 years of
having a museum on campus. By action of the Board of Governors, the McClure Archives
and University Museum, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has been
designated as UCM鈥檚 official historical, ethnographic, and archival repository, and
will play an instrumental role in UCM鈥檚 sesquicentennial. Founded in 1881, the museum
has grown from a facility featuring the collections of the first president, George
Osborne, to the only major museum between Kansas City and Columbia. Along with its
vast collection of university archival items, its resources include the Nance Collection
of Middle Eastern art, artifacts and culture. Additionally, the McClure Archives and
University Museum is officially designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as a
World War II and Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, a registered Blue Star Museum,
and a member of the Four Freedoms National Heritage Area.
Since its establishment, the 欧美视频 has evolved from a grown
from a small college that prepared Missouri鈥檚 teachers to an institution that offers
approximately 150 programs within its four academic colleges, including nationally
known programs that include criminal justice and aviation. The 150th anniversary provides
an opportunity to look at the institution鈥檚 history and evolution as a significant
partner Missouri鈥檚 education fabric.
Learn more about UCM鈥檚 sesquicentennial and the Missouri 2021 bicentennial at or contact Clifford-Napoleone at clifford@ucmo.edu.