Bellarmine University celebrates 75 years with variety of special events starting in August

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville university is planning an array of events to celebrate more than seven decades of providing a Catholic education to its many students.

Bellarmine University will celebrate its 75th anniversary this fall.

The school was founded in 1950 by Monsignor Alfred F. Horrigan. While originally a men's college, the school merged with the Ursuline College in 1968. It received university status in 2000 and also moved its athletics to NCAA Division 1 status with entry into the Atlantic Sun Conference.

“Bellarmine’s story is one of transformation – of students, of lives, and of the university itself – and we are excited to celebrate that with our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the broader Louisville community," Dr. Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine's president, said in a release.

To honor the 75th anniversary, several events will be held from August through October. The university will also be selling special 75th anniversary merchandise at the bookstore. Below is a list of anniversary events:

Aug. 11 – Bellarmine Golf Classic 7:30 a.m. at Lake Forest Country Club
Sept. 4 – Wyatt Lecture Series featuring Daymond John of Shark Tank – 4:30 p.m. in Frazier Hall
Sept. 4 – Knight of Excellence, a ticketed event to thank our most loyal supporters and celebrate several distinguished members of the Bellarmine community
Sept. 6-7 – Bellarmine University Reunion Weekend, celebrating Bellarmine’s 75th anniversary
Sept. 6 – Bellarmine 5K, the Run for Ryann, 8 a.m.
Sept. 6 – Class reunions for 1975 and all class years ending with 0s and 5s, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 – Brew at BU, Bellarmine’s premier beer, wine, and food event, 7 p.m. in the Quad ($50 per person)
Sept. 7 – Alumni Mass, 6 p.m. in Our Lady of the Woods Chapel
Oct. 3 – Campus celebration on the anniversary date of Bellarmine’s founding
Oct. 5 – Anniversary Weekend
- Anniversary Mass – 10 a.m. in Frazier Hall
- Bellarmine history panel discussion – 11:30 a.m. in Frazier Hall
Oct. 30 – Guarnaschelli Lecture Series, featuring Dr. Deborah Cohen, author and history professor, 6 p.m. in Frazier Hall