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Emanuel Santa-Donato ’10 (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) is pursuing a degree in international affairs. He served as a member of the planning committee for the Marquis de Lafayette’s 250th birthday party. The College has dedicated a web site to the yearlong celebration, which provides information and updates. The following is a firsthand account of Santa-Donato’s views of the party Sep. 6.
Take a minute to think of how many places around you have been named “Lafayette.” In my hometown of Yorktown Heights, there is a Lafayette Street. On the way to Lafayette College, I pass two exits named Lafayette. There are buildings, monuments, avenues, and even banks named after the Marquis de Lafayette. Cities named “Fayetteville” count, too; in fact, I had some amazing barbeque in Fayetteville, N.C. It’s nice to see so many places sharing the same name as your college, but why? Yesterday I found out.
I had the privilege of being on the planning committee for the 250th Birthday Celebration. We planned the day to blend together history and entertainment. In the morning, the 2nd New Jersey Regiment was set up in front of Farinon, answering questions about the Revolutionary War and holding reenactments throughout the day. An absolutely extravagant dinner began in the evening, we brought in a Marquis de Lafayette historical interpreter for a ceremony, we booked carriage rides for the whole night, and need I describe those chocolate mousse cups?
The first indication that this was no ordinary celebration was the fact that the co-coordinators on the committee did not seem very concerned about budget during the planning of the celebration. It was clear that the College wanted to pull out all the stops for this day — and that they did. The guest list was eye-opening: all the trustees, notable alumni, and the Kirbys. Film crews were sent from local stations, a documentary was being made on Lafayette, and one came from a French media outlet. And all last semester I thought it was a nice little event the College was putting on for the students.
Over the past week especially I learned that the memory of the Marquis de Lafayette absolutely deserved this outpouring of resources and attention. I was blown away by his history and his legacy.
Most elementary school students know him as the 19-year-old Frenchman who fought in the revolutionary war, but it was really just yesterday when I realized I am 19-years-old, and all of the students at Lafayette College are within three years of that age. Are we ready to lead an army in battle?
Lafayette was barely an adult when he left all the privilege of French aristocracy to fight for freedom, liberty, and equality. I learned that the Marquis actually spent his entire fortune in the fight for these values in three different countries. The Marquis spent time in prison during the French Revolution and his family was nearly executed, all this when he could have been enjoying a lavish court life in France.
So, this was why Lafayette College wanted to be the center of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 250th birthday, an important day to remember a very important figure. The events of Sept. 6 hopefully will stay with all of the guests on our Quad, but we can’t forget that this celebration will be going on throughout the whole year. From what I saw and learned during my time on the birthday planning committee, and especially this last week, the College has much more coming our way in a year long celebration; yesterday was just the kickoff.