SMU celebrated its Patron’s Day with a retro-themed birthday party on 18 January. The University’s first major event in 2013 got the year off to a rousing start and Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam graced the occasion as SMU Patron.
Heavy downpours of rain during the afternoon did nothing to dampen the spirits of the students, staff and faculty members who thronged the Patron’s Day (PD) Village on Campus Green day and night. Styled like a street market, the bustling PD Village included several booths designed and run by student and school constituent bodies. The booths demonstrated their creativity and their views on the different eras of the East and West from 1950s till the 1980s.
First stop – The SMU Shop
On his arrival at SMU, President Tony Tan was greeted by SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping and President Arnoud De Meyer. He then proceeded with his tour and made his first stop at The SMU Shop. He chatted with students who help at the shop about some of the limited edition memorabilia conceptualised by SMU students and, with a delighted smile on his face, tried on an SMU Varsity Jacket which had been embroidered with his name.
He was then accompanied on a stroll through the Village and stopped at several booths which caught his eye on his way to the PD Village Stage, where he was treated to a hilarious fashion show skit performed by undergraduates.
[The SMU Shop Ambassadors with President Tony Tan (Centre) in The SMU Shop: (L—R) Lee Szeling (Accountancy, Year 4) Lim Ziwei (Law, Year 1), Lee Si Ting (Business, Year 2) and Ang Weihao (Accountancy, Year 2).]
A showcase of excellence
“While I think you will agree the retro themed booths and the trendy modern SMU Shop you visited are tremendous fun, like so many things at SMU, there is far more to them than meets the eye,” said Mr Ho Kwon Ping in his welcome address before a stylish dinner in the Li Ka Shing Library attended by members of the Board of Trustees, some of SMU’s illustrious benefactors, University leaders, faculty members, staff, students and alumni.
Mr Ho went on to explain, “Although SMU is only in its 13th year, we recognise and celebrate the University’s place in the wider educational and social landscape of Singapore and the region. We are extremely proud to be part of this heritage and – as increasing numbers of SMU students graduate and enter the wider world – we eagerly accept our role in helping to create the history of the future.
Guests were treated to two highly accomplished musical performances by SMU alumni. Harpist Pamela Feng (Bachelor of Economics, 2011) enchanted everyone at the start of the meal and later, keyboard player Aaron Goh (Bachelor of Economics & Bachelor of Laws, 2005) got quite a few feet tapping with his jazz band.
SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer had earlier commented, “I am really pleased to know that our alumni are so willing to contribute their time to support their alma mater on the occasion of Patron’s Day. It says a great deal about the spirit of SMU that staff, students and alumni work together to make this day a success.
As the dinner drew to a close, outside the night was still young. Student and professional performers took to the stage in a medley of comedy and music that kept the birthday celebrations going until late in the evening.
[Main photo: SMU Patron, President Tony Tan with (L—R) - SMU Students' Association President Cherie Neo, SMU Patron’s Day Organising Committee Chairperson Cheng Dee Jee, SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping and SMU President Prof Arnoud De Meyer.]
Speech – Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President
Speech – Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman, SMU Board of Trustees