Hundreds celebrate 25 years of Laurier Brantford at Purple and Gold Party

March 24, 2025

Approximately 500 community members, including faculty, staff, alumni and students, celebrated the 25th anniversary of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus during a Purple and Gold Party in One Market on March 22.

The birthday party-themed event featured family-friendly activities including bouncy castles, face painting, balloon animals and purple and gold cupcakes. The Belmont Restaurant, operated by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, offered attendees hot drinks and snacks for purchase.

The celebration was made possible in partnership with the City of Brantford and held in conjunction with the city’s Fun Fest in Harmony Square.

“We wanted to host a special party for the entire community to celebrate the strong bond Laurier has with the City of Brantford,” said Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy, who attended the event. “This is our way of saying thank you to everyone in Brantford for a quarter century of collaboration and successes.”

The Purple and Gold Party is the most recent event in a year of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Brantford campus. The celebrations kicked off in September with MarketFest, a two-day showcase of Indigenous artists, artisans, performers and thinkers.

In February, the Brantford campus unveiled “Forever Golden,” a commemorative mural in the Stedman Lobby at the Research and Academic Centre symbolizing the collaborative spirit of Laurier Brantford. The unveiling coincided with the launch of the “Inspired Community, Real Impact” report, which highlights the impact Laurier’s Brantford campus has made on the local community since opening in 1999.

In its first 25 years, Laurier’s Brantford campus has grown from a single program with 39 students to offering 26 academic programs, four master’s programs and hosting nearly 3,000 students. The campus has been a driving force in the revitalization of Brantford's downtown, contributing to the city’s cultural and economic vibrancy.