What is Founder's Day?
Founder’s Day is celebrated annually by the Western community on March 7. It is a time for the University to remember the contributions of its founders and celebrate our students, staff, faculty and alumni and their accomplishments. One of Canada’s oldest universities, Western was founded on March 7, 1878 when the UWO Act was proclaimed. To commemorate this day, members of the Alumni Association have developed a grassroots initiative to promote Founder’s Day.
Ways to Celebrate:
Wear your Western pride
Wear purple or Western attire on March 7 and don't forget to share photos in our Flickr group or by sending them to social@uwo.ca. Please use "since1878" to tag your photos on flickr and other social photo websites like Instagram and Facebook.
Printable "Since 1878" signs
Download these printable signs with our Founder's Day hashtag and send us photos of you holding them and showing off your purple pride.
The Book Store at Western Founder's Day Promotion - Enjoy 20% off all regular priced clothing and accessories on Founder's Day only - Thursday, March 7!
Attend Founder's Day events
Founder's Day events are being held around the world! Join us at one of the following celebrations:
- London, UK: Canada-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce Reception
- Ottawa, ON: Canadian Museum of Nature
- Toronto, ON: CN Tower
- Vancouver, BC: Pan Pacific Vancouver
- Calgary, AB: Lougheed House
- London, ON: The Great Hall (Staff and Faculty) and Windermere Manor (Alumni)
- New York, NY: Lamb's Club
- Hong Kong Founder's Day Spring Dinner (March 10)
Add some purple to your profile
Add some purple to your profile with our collection of Founder's Day inspired Facebook Cover photos!
Instructions: Click on the photo(s) you would like to download and then go to "File" & "Save As" (or "Save Page As") to save the photo to your computer. Then go to Facebook.com and upload as your new Cover Photo.
Join Founder's Day on Social Media
Update your status to "Purple and Proud" and use the #since1878 hashtag on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Use "since1878" to tag photos and videos on Flickr and YouTube.
Please "Like" the Western University Facebook Page and follow @westernu on Twitter.
Founder's Day Twitter Trivia Contest
From March 5 to March 7, we will be posting Western-related trivia questions via our @westernu twitter account. We will be giving away five Western prize packs! To join in:
- Register online for the contest before Noon on Founder's Day
- Follow @westernu
- Answer the questions as they are posted!
Everyone who gets more than half the questions right will be entered in a draw to win. Questions will be posted as follows:
- March 5 at 10am, 1pm and 4pm
- March 6 at 10am, 1pm and 4pm
- March 7 at 9am and 11am
Don't forget to read the contest Terms & Conditions!
Founder’s Day News Archive
CTV London News March 7, 2012
Founder's Day sprouting from the grassroots
Be proud, wear purple; support our university (The London Free Press)
Grassroots Founder's Day initiative takes hold
Alumni spearhead Founder’s Day initiative
Founder's Day revival underway
Founder’s Day Trivia Time
Founder's family makes donation to Western














