Founders Celebration 2022 LogoFounders Celebration is an annual campus-wide event at Daemen University honoring the institution’s origins, commemorating its rich history of scholarship—and continuing its momentum forward. This re-imagined celebration combines Homecoming, Family Weekend, Alumni Weekend, and Founders Day to create one spectacular week-long schedule of events.

The celebration features traditions and events including:

  • Founders Day Bell Ringing—Join this ceremony and gathering of the university community at the Founders Bell outside Rosary Hall. Representatives of the university’s seven decades each ring the bell, initially crafted in 1858—the year the university’s namesake, Mother Magdalene Daemen, passed away—and refurbished with support from the university’s Class of 1967 
  • Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner—Attend this annual reception, established in 1986, that recognizes graduates who have made a difference and highlights their achievements and societal contributions
  • Athletics Events—Cheer on the Daemen Wildcats during matches at Karrer Field and Lumsden Gymnasium
  • Student & Family-Centric Events—Enjoy the Food Truck Rodeo and Music Festival, S'mores Night, and try your luck at Casino Night. Play games for chips that you can "cash in" for terrific prizes!
  • Daemen Day in Amherst—Enjoy free trolley rides up and down Main Street to offer the Daemen community a chance to visit, shop, and dine at many establishments in the Amherst and Williamsville business districts. Special discounts will be provided to Daemen community members.
Event Registration

Many events are open to the entire Daemen community, while some are centered on specific Daemen groups. Review the event list below for information on what to expect and who is invited to attend.

Family members who pre-register and attend the Founders Celebration will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Event registration will open Summer 2023.

Wednesday, September 27

    Daemen Volleyball
    Women's Volleyball vs. Roberts Wesleyan

    6:00 PM

    Lumsden Gymnasium

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Student Activities Logo
    Founders Bingo!

    7:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Social Room

    Students

    Daemen Students are invited to join the CAT Team for a fun night and to test their luck at winning some AMAZING PRIZES!!!

    Thursday, September 28

    President Olson and student ringing Daemen Bell
    Annual Founders Bell Ringing

    11:00 AM

    Founders Bell

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff

    Join us for this annual event including welcomes and reflections from various Daemen dignitaries and ulmonates with the ringing of the Founders Bell by various Daemen constituents including the President, faculty, student, alumni and 47 bell ringers to represent the founding in 1947.

    Students eating lunch in Wick Student Center Dining Room
    Campus-Wide Luncheon

    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Dining Room

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff

    After the annual Bell Ringing, all Daemen University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families are welcome to attend the Founders Celebration Luncheon.

    Distinguished Alumni Award winner
    Distinguished Alumni Dinner

    6:00:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Social Room

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff

    Established in 1986, this annual reception recognizes graduates who have made a difference and highlights their achievements and societal contributions.

    Friday, September 29

    Founders Celebration
    Founders Celebration Welcome & Info Desk

    3:00 PM-8:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Lobby 

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Founders Participants can check-in, get a schedule of the weekend, and ask any questions about upcoming events. Those who pre-registered can pick up their Founders Celebration T-shirts.

    TGIF in the Wildcat Den
    TGIF: Founders Friday

    4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

    Wick Student Center Wildcat Den

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families 

    Daeen Dining Services
    Daemen Favorites Night in the Dining Hall

    5:00 PM-7:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Dining Hall

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Casino Night
    Casino Night

    7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Social Room

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Try your luck!  Casino-style games played with chips that you can "cash in" for lottery tickets to some terrific prizes!  Hosted by Student Activities.

    Scholarship Gala table setting
    Scholarship Gala

    6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    Jazzboline

    Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Donors

    The Scholarship Gala is our annual scholarship fundraiser which provides financial assistance for today’s Daemen students.  Through this event and thanks to generous Daemen alumni, corporate sponsors, and friends of the University, the dream of achieving a college education becomes a reality for deserving students. 

    Swag table outside Wick
    S'Mores Night & Swag Swap

    9:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Back Patio & Courts

    Students, Families

    Come down to the WICK Patio to swap out your old Daemen or other college/university clothing for some new Daemen University threads!  We will be taking all types of clothing in good condition so it can be donated to local areas of need and you'll get some new duds; it's a WIN/WIN! 

    Saturday, September 30

    Founders Celebration Logo
    Founders Celebration Welcome & Info Desk

    10:00 AM-8:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Lobby 

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Founders Participants can check-in, get a schedule of the weekend, and ask any questions about upcoming events. Those who pre-registered can pick up their Founders Celebration T-shirts.

    Campus Tour Guide
    Family & Alumni Campus Tours

    10:00 AM

    Rosary start

    Students, Alumni, Families

    Take this complimentary tour by an Admissions tour guide and see all the new and exciting updates around campus!

    Family each brunch in Wick Cafeteria
    Entertainment Brunch w/Alfie

    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Dining Room

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    President's Seal
    Daemen Quad Ribbon Cutting & President's Reception

    1:00 PM - 2:00pm

    Daemen Quad

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Campus Tour Guide
    Family & Alumni Campus Tours

    1:30 PM

    Rosary start

    Students, Alumni, Families

    Take this complimentary tour by an Admissions tour guide and see all the new and exciting updates around campus!

    Daemen community posing by trolly getting ready to go to Amherst
    Daemen Day In Amherst

    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    Trolley Pick up at Wick Student Center

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Daemen Day in Amherst is a special celebration to connect the University community with Main Street’s thriving business district. Free trolley rides will be available up and down Main Street to offer the Daemen community a chance to visit, shop, and dine at many establishments in the Amherst and Williamsville business districts. Many businesses will offer special "Daemen discounts" and free shirts will be given to the first 100 people to take the trolley.

    Student holding tickets for Food Truck Rodeo
    Food Truck Rodeo & Music by Dan Erickson

    4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

    Wick Student Center Back Lawn

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Do you like food featuring local restaurants?! Do you like LIVE MUSIC?! Then come to the Wick Student Center for both!!!

    Robert Channing
    Mentalist Robert Channing

    7:00 PM-7:45 PM

    Wick Student Center Social Room

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families

    Come meet the man who already knows what you're thinking... You've seen Robert Channing on America's Got Talent, The Steve Harvey Show, Fox and Friends, and many others.  Now, you'll see him tonight at Daemen!  Come for a night with America's foremost mind-reader and supernatural entertainer- Robert Channing! Free event for the Daemen Community.

    Daemen University
    Blue Madness

    8:00 PM-9:30 PM

    Lumsden Gymnasium

    Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Families