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UB commemorates anniversary of birth of Millard Fillmore
William Regan, director of the Office of Special Events, holds an umbrella to shield Willie Evans, Ed.B ’60, a special advisor to the UB Alumni Association Board of Directors, from the elements as Evans delivers the commemorative address at the annual gravesite celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Millard Fillmore. Photo: NANCY J. PARISI.
UB observed a long-standing winter tradition today with its annual anniversary celebration of the birth of Millard Fillmore, the university’s first chancellor and 13th president of the United States, at Fillmore’s gravesite in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
The outdoor ceremony marking the 209th anniversary of Fillmore’s birth on Jan. 7, 1800, was hosted by UB, the Forest Lawn Group and the Buffalo Club.
“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.”
The graveside program featured the presentation of wreaths, including one by Colonel Timothy R. Vaughn of the 107th Mission Support Group Commander, New York Air National Guard, representing President Bush.
Representatives from the Buffalo Club, the Forest Lawn Group and UB also placed wreaths on the grave. The UB Police Color Guard presented the flags and UB student West Richter played taps.
The traditional commemorative address was delivered by Willie Evans, Ed.B ’60, a special advisor to the UB Alumni Association Board of Directors and member of the 1958 Lambert Cup football team, which 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.
Fillmore helped establish UB, serving as its first chancellor from 1847 until his death in 1874. He also was instrumental in framing the charter that transformed 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.
While this year marked the 44th anniversary of UB’s stewardship of Fillmore’s service, 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 ceremony and made it a community event starting in 1966.
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