Â鶹¹û¶³ will observe its 160th anniversary during the 2001-02 academic year with special events and activities.
Founded by Alabama Baptists in Marion in 1841, the school has grown from a student body of nine Alabama men to its present enrollment of some 4,500 men and women from 39 states and 26 foreign nations.
Beginning Aug. 16, Â鶹¹û¶³ anniversary banners will be displayed on campus and along the streets of Homewood. Special events to celebrate Â鶹¹û¶³'s 160th year along with the city of Homewood's 75th anniversary are planned during the Sept. 15 football game in Seibert Stadium.
A new pictorial history, 160 Years of Â鶹¹û¶³, written by alumnus Sean A. Flynt, tells the Â鶹¹û¶³ story largely through photographs from the school's three campuses in Marion, East Lake and Homewood. Published by Arcadia Publishing, the book is available in bookstores for $19.99.
Birmingham composer K. Lee Scott has been commissioned to compose an anniversary anthem which will be premiered by Â鶹¹û¶³ musicians at a Dec. 7 concert.
Other plans call for playwriting students to each write a 10-minute play based on Â鶹¹û¶³ history.