On Friday Oct. 22, the St. Edward’s University community came together to celebrate the university’s 125th birthday. More than 2,000 members of the university community gathered on Main Building lawn to kick off a weekend of fun and service. Relive the 125 Birthday Weekend through our photos. Don’t foget to look for your photo with Topper. A video from the event will be coming soon!

Operation T Collects T-shirts
The 125 Birthday Party was not only packed with fun, but also service. St. Edward’s University Brown Scholar Irma Fernandez collected more than 500 T-shirts for Operation T . The shirts will be donated to children in underprivileged communities around the world.

Founders Day Service Project
On Saturday, 180 members of the university community helped St. Edward’s move closer to a goal of 75,000 hours of community service by the end of 2010. This effort was part of the university’s anniversary service commitment — the 125 Service Challenge . Participants volunteered their time at various service sites around Austin:
• Urban Roots—Water Conservation
• Helping Hands for Children—Youth Outreach
• Monte Siesta—Senior Services
• The Trail Foundation—Arbor Day Celebration/Tree Planting
• Capitol School of Austin—Disability and Community Outreach
• Austin Parks & Recreation—Local Environment Action

Miles for a Mission 5K Fun Run/Walk
On Sunday, 341 walkers and runners participated in the Campus Ministry Miles for a Mission 5K fun run/walk. The event gave members of the university community one more way to have fun and give back to important causes. Proceeds from the event will benefit Campus Ministry outreach programs including:
• Alternative Spring Break
• International Immersion
• S.E.R.V.E. Austin
• Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Food Drive

After the 5K, more than 250 people attended an outdoor Mass on Sunday morning on Ragsdale Plaza. University president George E. Martin accepted a framed photo of Brother Andre Bessette, who was canonized a saint on Oct. 17, 2010. Brother Andre is the first Holy Cross Brother saint. The photo will hang in Andre Hall.

A successful Founders Fest picnic, benefiting the St. Edward’s Fund followed the Mass and concluded the anniversary weekend.

Other birthday weekend highlights include the winner of the 125 x 125 Hilltop Film Quest and the Cake Off winners.

125×125 Hilltop Film Quest
Hannah Samendinger was the winner of the 125×125 Hilltop Film Quest, a short film competition that allowed students, faculty and staff members to produce a film on their “journey” of St. Edward’s University. Her short film was a simplistic representation of a journey at St. Edward’s University as it relates to the greater journey experiences outside of campus. Hannah was awarded an iPad. You can watch all the video entries on the university’s YouTube page.

Cake Off Winners
The first ever Cake Off competition encouraged teams of 3–5 students to create the best birthday cake for St. Edward’s. Judging was conducted by members of the Bon Appétit staff. The student teams with the top 3 cake designs were awarded prize money for their student organization. The winners of the Cake Off were:
1. Hilltop Leadership Development
2. Women Empowerment
3. Student Goverment Association

Judges rated the cakes on creativity, school spirit in regards to the 125th Journey theme and technique. And, the “Flavor of South Austin” Award went to Women Empowerment. This cake was the coolest, weirdest, freakiest cake around – one that fits Austin style and individuality. Thanks to Coca-Cola each winning team will receive a monetary prize for their student organization.

Before Mates of State performed at the Birthday Party, Hilltop Views sat down with them and asked a few questions. Here’s the Q&A from the newspaper.

The St. Edward's University microsite captured the 125th anniversary events, photos, videos, memories and social media activities throughout 2010. 

It was a great 125 Birthday Weekend! Thanks for celebrating with us. Here’s to 125 years, St. Edward’s University!