The year may be more than half over, but Ohio University Southern is just getting started celebrating 50 years of higher education.

From its humble beginnings in a trailer to its current multi-million dollar campus, the school says it’s got plenty to party about. The official kick-off for the festivities was during the annual Memorial Day parade, but that was just the beginning.

During the school’s recognition ceremony this year, students were given special 50th anniversary medals to commemorate the special occasion, said 50th anniversary organizer Kim Addis, who said the awards were a big hit.

“The students were really pleased with those,” Addis said.

Fresh off of fairgrounds in Proctorville, the school will soon be traveling to the Scioto County Fair where it will have activities for visitors including 50th anniversary trivia.

The school will also be getting a little fancier on Sept. 30 with an invitation only gala fundraiser.

There were be a more permanent mark of the occasion unveiled sometime during the summer as well. A former student is currently working on a sculpture to be displayed on the school’s Ironton campus’ courtyard.

But more than just patting itself on the back, Addis said that OUS wants to offer thanks to the people that have supported the regional campus for five decades.

“This is a time for thanks, because this is 50 years that we’ve been in the community and we want to thank them and welcome them and help them celebrate with us,” Addis said.

In that spirit they’ll hold a community celebration on Sept. 24, which will be open to the public.

Addis said that the event will be a throwback to the days of the school’s inception, and a reminder of how far they all have come.