SFU celebrated 50 years of “engaging the world” with a day packed with merrymaking, bagpipes, and an almost comical overuse of the word ‘engage,’ with events ranging from a casual celebration in Freedom Square to a swanky evening affair in the AQ courtyard.
The event saw nearly 2,000 guests enjoy the evening celebration. Of the $250 million set as a fundraising goal, organizers say $185 million ended up being raised from donors. Organizers are still determining the total cost of the day’s events.
The day began with the Campus Kickoff, which began at 11:30 a.m. in Freedom Square. Hosted by CityTV Breakfast Television host Riaz Meghji and live-streamed to SFU’s satellite campuses, the kickoff began with a fusion dance performance that incorporated highland dancing, bhangra, and Aboriginal drumming.
Afterwards, multiple individuals shared words of wisdom and reflected on SFU’s past 50 years. Said SFSS president Enoch Weng, “I’m just so excited to see past students, current students, and even future students [. . .] as we come together to celebrate what it means to be SFU [. . .] I can only imagine the great things we’ll achieve here at SFU as we move towards the next 50 years.”
The Campus Kickoff was followed by the serving of fair trade chocolate cake and a food truck festival which whetted appetites for the evening event, appropriately dubbed “Celebrate and Savour.”
The latter event was hosted by Bard on the Beach Artistic Director and Founder Christopher Gaze. Attendees included Provincial Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, andLieutenant Governor of BC Judith Guichon.
Guests enjoyed culinary creations from local eateries such as Vij’s Restaurant, Chez Christophe Patisserie, and The Vancouver Fish Company, while mingling in the AQ Gardens, which were transformed into a lavish venue, outfitted with lantern lighting and a large stage at the end of the reflection pond.
Members of the Teaching Support Staff Union were present at the event, toting signs, some of which read, “President Petter, Engage Your Workers,” and speaking to attendees in order to spread their messages and explain what their core issues are that they have brought to the bargaining table. The union has been on strike and is currently in mediation with SFU administration.
At the end of the night, SFU wrapped up its 50th Anniversary with a bang, putting on a dazzling fireworks celebration. The AQ was then lit up with pyrotechnics set to a musical score.
One of the most emphasized components of the day was the presence of charter students who were part of the original cohort of SFU students to attend the school in 1965. Nearly 200 charter students were estimated to have attended the day’s events and their presence was acknowledged and appreciated by the number of speakers throughout the night.
SFU President Andrew Petter made an address to attendees and the charter alumni in particular. He said, “We, the students, the faculty, and supporters of SFU, who are the beneficiaries of your work today, look with pride and admiration at what has occurred in five short decades.”
He continued, “These are the gifts that we have received from those who have gone before us. And they give us the responsibility to make sure that we are no less committed, no less energetic, no less passionate, 
and certainly no less engaged as we move forward.”
During the morning event, it was announced that SFU student Caleb Sung and producer Brett Janzen had won the Legacy Song contest with their song “Engage the World.” Brendan Bernardo was the people’s choice award winner with his creation, “Make a Simon Fraser U.”
The theme of engagement echoed throughout the day, including Petter’s closing remarks of his address to the sea of SFU red in Freedom Square.
“I want to say I look forward to working with everyone here, as we all do, to build an even brighter future for the next 50 years. Let’s engage!”
