A University Tradition: UB to Commemorate 209th Birthday of Millard Fillmore

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo observes a long-standing winter tradition with its annual anniversary celebration of the birth of Millard Fillmore, UB's first chancellor and 13th president of the United States, to be held 10 a.m. Jan. 7 in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Fillmore's gravesite.

The outdoor ceremony marking the 209th anniversary of Fillmore's birth on Jan. 7, 1800, is hosted by UB, the Forest Lawn Group and the Buffalo Club. The service is free and open to the public.

"Millard Fillmore, perhaps more than any individual in the history of our area, shaped the identity, character and destiny of this region, not only for his generation, but all that followed," says William J. Regan, director of UB's Office of Special Events. "His vision and legacy are truly unrivaled in our local history."

Wednesday's program includes the Presentation of Wreaths, including one from the White House, with Colonel Timothy R. Vaughn, 107th Mission Support Group Commander, NY Air National Guard, representing President Bush.

The traditional commemoration address will be delivered by past Alumni Association President Willie Evans. Evans was a member of the 1958 Lambert Cup-winning football Bulls, who voted unanimously to not accept an invitation to play in Tangerine Bowl when it was learned that black players would not be able to participate.

A reception with warm-up refreshments will immediately follow the brief ceremonies in the Forest Lawn Chapel. Representatives from the Buffalo Club, the Forest Lawn Group and UB will also present wreaths. The Rev. Joel Miller, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, will provide an invocation. The UB Police Color Guard will present the flags, and UB student West Richter will play taps.

Fillmore helped establish UB, serving as its first chancellor from 1847 until his death in 1874. He was also instrumental in framing the charter transforming the Village of Buffalo into the City of Buffalo. He helped establish Buffalo General Hospital, the SPCA, the Buffalo Historical Society, the Fine Arts Academy, Buffalo Savings Bank, Buffalo's public library system and the Buffalo Club.

As a congressman, he secured funding to enlarge the Buffalo Harbor and expand the Erie Canal. Fillmore served as president from 1850 to 1853.

This year marks the 44th anniversary of UB's stewardship of Fillmore's service, but the tradition to honor Fillmore dates back to 1937. From 1937 until 1965, the anniversary ceremonies were staged by the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Board of Education. The events were administered by Irving R. Templeton, a 1909 graduate of UB, who scheduled two programs annually on or near Jan. 7, one in City Hall and one in Forest Lawn.

The responsibility shifted to UB when Templeton died in 1965. Although UB participated in the Fillmore birthday commemoration during Templeton's stewardship, the university took over the ceremonies and made it a community event starting in 1966.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.