This article is part of an ongoing series highlighting plans in the works for Dalhousie’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2018. For more features, visit our archives and learn more about Dal 200 at dal200.ca.
As Dalhousie’s bicentennial nears, the excitement that’s building on campus may not be easy to quantify — but if the engagement in Ancillary Services’ Dal 200 initiatives is any indication, that excitement is growing.
The university Bookstore soft-launched an exclusive line of 200th-branded merchandise in January and has already sold hundreds of mugs, water bottles, pens, shirt and sweatshirts baring the logo — in store, online and through special orders.
“We’re excited to see such strong interest at this early stage,” says Bookstore Manager Tina Shannon, reflecting that it could be a good barometer for Dal 200 enthusiasm in the community.
Bringing the world and region to campus
Similarly, Conference Services has seen an increase in local, national and international organizations hosting events on campus in 2018.
“For many groups [Dal’s bicentennial] was a significant factor in their decision to come,” says Conference Services’ Acting Sales Manager, Lyle Quinn,
For example, one signature event already announced is from the African Nova Scotian Music Association, which will hold its 20th annual awards gala on campus in February 2018. Quinn estimates that based on event bookings thus far, at least 2,500 additional people will be on campus to celebrate with Dal next summer.
“A lot of national and international organizations that come to campus already have some sort of relationship with [the university]. Dal 200 really served to strengthen that relationship.”
Almost all of Ancillary Services’ 10 units are finding ways to get involved in the celebrations. If you’ve recently taken in a show at the Arts Centre, you may have noticed the Dal 200 logo on your ticket stub. Staff in Dal 200 t-shirts will greet students arriving in residence on Move-In Day this fall. Food Services will be offering signature Dal 200 blends of coffee and tea starting in September. Staff, students and faculty who get a new DalCard this fall will receive a custom-designed, limited edition 200th anniversary card.
And the Bookstore will be the sales hub for one of Dal 200’s signature projects: a new keepsake book, Dalhousie: The First 200 Years — A Visual History. The hard cover book will be rich in content and visuals.
If you build it…
Finally, in a true passion project, Residence Facilities Manager Mateo Yorke, with support from Ancillary Services, is building a four-by-five-foot LEGO replica of an iconic Dalhousie building. Although he’s not revealing which building yet, he’s confident the community will connect with it.
At a 1:57 scale, the model will scale properly with a LEGO Minifigure. So far, Yorke has used a CAD program to design the architecturally accurate model, and everyone in Ancillary Services will be invited to help build the replica this summer. It will be unveiled to the broader community in September.
Yorke estimates the project will take about 30,000 bricks when all is said and done.
“Builds on this scale are recognized internationally in the LEGO community. So this project will be shared not only with the Dal community, but with Lego fans all over the world,” says Yorke, who plans to use time-lapse video to document the progress of the build.
In addition to all the aforementioned, Ancillary Services staff are still brainstorming creative ways to celebrate the occasion.
“We’re continually looking for ways to work with our units and have fun with it,” says Assistant Vice President Ancillary Services, Heather Sutherland.
“Stay tuned for more!”
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