Trinity at 200: Committed to the Future since 1823

The countdown has started! Will you join us for Trinity’s Bicentennial year? Trinity College has nurtured and educated generations of students, helping them to develop the best of their intellect, curiosity, and spirit of innovation. Join us for a year of events, collective storytelling, and community engagement. The story of Trinity College is that of your community. Gather your campus memories and get ready to make new ones—and prepare to open the door to Trinity’s third century.

Celebration Highlights

Stay tuned for more details and new events to be announced throughout the spring.

Bicentennial Kickoff

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023

The campus community caps off Honors Day 2023 by launching the Bicentennial! Student performances, games, and activities, as well as food, music, and fireworks, make this a memorable festival.

Happy Charter Day

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

Mark Trinity’s official birthday—Charter Day—with a new tradition on campus and a digital celebration around the world, and mark it again in 2024. Will the Trinity flag fly over Connecticut’s State House? Join President Berger-Sweeney and Banty for a lemonade toast. Wear your Trinity gear with pride and post your toast photos on social media, hashtag #Trin200.

Alumni Bicentennial Celebration

FRIDAY–SUNDAY, JUNE 9–11, 2023

Calling all alumni! Return to campus for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration over the course of our traditional Reunion Weekend. Reconnect with classmates, and find friends from cultural houses, athletic teams, fraternities and sororities, academic groups, and student clubs; renew Trinity wedding vows in the Chapel; find your name in your first-year Matriculation book; immerse yourself in Trinity’s past, present, and future through exhibits, presentations by distinguished alumni, and the first Bicentennial symposium; enjoy musical performances and dancing; and join in the biggest birthday bash ever—cake and fireworks included! See the tentative schedule.

Newly added: Friday night “Trinity Live!” on the Main Quad features performances by The Nields (David Chalfant ’90, Katryna Nields Chalfant ’91, and David Hower ’89) and Latanya Farrell P’23. New panels have been confirmed: “Women in Law,” “The Art and Business of Film and TV” featuring 2021 Academy Award-winner Will McCormack ’96, and author talks with Charity Elder ’00 and Joanna Scott ’82. Renew your wedding vows in the Chapel, see your matriculation book, and stay tuned for the headline performer at the Bantam Birthday Bash on Saturday night! Event registration opens soon in early April.

Bicentennial Symposia

FRIDAY–SATURDAY, JUNE 9–10, 2023
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

The Bicentennial Symposia are designed by faculty, staff, students, and alumni to create intergenerational reflection and dialogue about our history, our identity, and our future. Attend in person or watch keynote talks online.

Bicentennial Fall Weekend

FRIDAY–SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13–15, 2023

Alumni and families, come to campus for a combined Homecoming and Family Weekend celebration. See your favorite team compete, enjoy a special performing arts event, spend time with friends, or watch student groups in action.

Bicentennial Gala

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024

A fundraising gala at the Connecticut Convention Center honoring the Trinity–Hartford connection closes out our Bicentennial celebration.

Bicentennial Carillon Concert and Picnic—July 12

Remember the last time you heard the 49-bell campus carillon? Come and enjoy a free outdoor Bicentennial Carillon Concert, which will feature food and a new piece composed for the Bicentennial by Ellen Dickinson.

Regional Bicentennial Symposia and Events

Join us for events in cities around the country. Dates and locations are to be announced.

1823 Athletic Contests—October 14

Calling alumni of athletic teams! We are planning joint receptions for teams, with the first event scheduled during the Bicentennial Fall Weekend (October 13–15) to honor alumni of the following fall sports: football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, and field hockey. Save the date.

Cinestudio—Six Decades of Movies at Trinity

Beginning in September as part of the 1823 series, Cinestudio will host one free film screening for each decade of its time on campus, starting with the 1970s. Vote for the movie that symbolizes each decade for you by taking this poll!

Share Your Story

The story of Trinity College is that of your community. We invite and encourage you to tell a group story with classmates. Places on campus that hold special meaning for you, world events that shaped your experience, Trinity people you will never forget—your stories are welcome. Any length is appreciated, from a paragraph with a photo to an essay with multiple images. The College wants a variety of content and may use your submission on the Bicentennial website, on social media, or in The Trinity Reporter. Bear in mind that Trinity reserves the right to edit for clarity, length, grammar, and content appropriateness. Email us at bicentennial@trincoll.edu (subject line “200 Stories”).

  1. What is your best memory from the Main Quad?
  2. What is your favorite place on campus and why?
  3. Which class/professor changed the trajectory of your life? Why?
  4. Which student group/activity made a difference in your life? Why?

Contact Us

To reach the committees with questions or feedback, please email us at bicentennial@trincoll.edu.

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Bicentennial Steering Committee

Philip S. Khoury ’71, H’21 former vice chair of the Board of Trustees, and current trustee Kelli Harrington Tomlinson ’94 lead the Bicentennial Steering Committee. Three community-wide Celebration Committees have been tasked with programmatic planning that honors all that makes this college special—our People, Places, and the Liberal Arts.