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Founders Day

The University of Hartford celebrates its birthday every Feb. 21. Festivities have included basketball games, parties and float contests.


Happy Birthday in 2013


The University of Hartford Pep Band, cheerleaders and Howie the Hawk posed on the new bridge over the Park River.The University Pep Band provided the musical entertainment.The Pep Band is made up of undergraduates, graduate students and alumni.President Walter Harrison spoke to the crowd on the bridge.Courtney Payne ’16 and and Dave Schupp ’63, a University Regent, prepared to cut the ribbon on the new bridge.Payne and Schupp were joined by Emily Audibert ’13, the reigning Miss Connecticut and a senior in the Barney School of Business.The Student Athlete Advisory Committee kicked off the float contest.The Student Government Association also entered the contest.Dining Services also created a float.The Student Athlete Advisory Committee won!Barbara Steinberger, director of internal communication; Eliza Newman '13; and Howie the Hawk drew the winning numbers for various prizes.The festivities then moved across the bridge to Gengras Student Union.Courtney Payne ’16, Howie the Hawk, and Emily Audibert ’13 cut the birthday cake inside Gengras.The Pep Band played in Gengras Student Union.Students joined the celebration inside Gengras.


Happy Birthday in 2012


Volunteers from the Student Government Association gave out beads.Max Accardo '12, Marissa Giammarino '12 and Nick Frogameni '12 gave out Mardi Gras beads in Gengras Student Union. Students Taylor Quick, Darren Deoraj, Sameena Kahn and Amy Conahan had school spirit.Andrea Bailey of Aramark got into the Mardi Gras celebration.The pep band got the party started in Gengras Student Union.The party continued with a parade to Millard Circle.(l-r) Hartford Art School Professor Power Boothe, University President Walter Harrison and Caitlin Terry M '12 judged the float contest.Music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia won the float contest. Their prize is a monthly pizza party for the next three months.The Center for Community Service's annual holiday party and Trick-or-Treat event were the inspiration for the group's float.The Hawk Spirit RLC won the award for wackiest float.The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee was named the group with the best marching spirit.The Student Government Association received the Cart Blanche award.Students cheered for their friends who were competing in the Float Contest.Members of the women's basketball team posed with their "Just Bead It" t-shirts.Members of the dance team showed off their shirts.Fans who wore Mardi Gras beads to the game received free "Just Bead It" t-shirts.The "Just Bead It" t-shirts were very popular among students.Young fans were also treated to free t-shirts.Sam, Nathan and Owen Campbell showed off their shirts.Fans packed the student section, known as the Cage, for the game.Fans participated in the paper airplane contest, which involved throwing a plane at a target at half court.Kevin O'Shea '15 (second from left), the winner of the paper airplane contest, holds the "Beats by Dr. Dre" headphones he won. Runners-up included Joe Guay (left) and Jared Eaton (right).Howie the Hawk posed with fans.Five former SGA presidents returned to campus for Founders Day. They joined current president, Ben Accardo (maroon shirt), for the game.


Happy Birthday in 2011


Howie the Hawk fires up the crowd.Ashley Ray and Kevin Williams welcome guests to the Founders Day Party.Kara Madzelewski, Sydney Kaplan, Elizabeth Miller, Alejandro Reyes and William Tinnes show off their Hawk spirit.Dominique Hinkson and Rebecca Kallas wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.Assistant Professor T. Stores enjoys the party with her children James and Isabelle.The birthday cupcakes were a big hit.Students show off their balloon creations.Christian, Aset Griffith and Johanna Hewitt celebrate the University's birthday.Rebecca Kallas, Jocelyn Rodriguez, Lindsey Schmaltz, Katie Miles, Gaby Anderson and Howie the Hawk.Nicholas and Olivia D'Alessio with Bella the ClownMembers of the UHa Steppaz pose after their performance.Luke Klingner and Mac Keener visited the campus for the party.Friends celebrate the University's birthday.Members of L'Shir entertain the crowd with their a cappella performance.


Happy Birthday in 2010


Fans show their support for the Hawks during the Founders Day women's basketball game.The University of Hartford Pep Band entertains the crowd.The University of Hartford Cheerleaders root for the women's basketball team.Fans cheer for the Hawks during the Founders Day women's basketball game, which raised money for breast cancer research.Enjoying cotton candy at the basketball game.Howie hangs out with some young Hawks fans.Trivia Challenge finalists Ben Silver '11, Mark Vining ’82 and Christine Adams compete during halftime. Dave Isgur, Trish Charles and Nancy Lilliquist oversee the event.President Walter Harrison and Ben Silver '11 share a laugh as Jodi Rell looks on.Howie and Jodi Rell help Director of Athletics Patricia Meiser present a donation to Paul Pendergast, president of Saint Francis Foundation.Enjoying a snack during the Founders Day festivities.Hawks Win!Families gathered for the Founders Day Birthday Party following the Hawks' win.A clown pals around with a young University of Hartford fan.L'Shir, a student a cappella group, sings for the crowd at the Founders Day Birthday Party.Howie and a few of the Hawks Cheerleaders.

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