Sometimes turning 50 has its perks. Like getting your very own song.
It may have taken a half-century of survival, but SFU's longevity is finally something to sing about.
"Engage the World" was announced as the winning song in the university's 50th Anniversay Legacy Song contest.
Composed by Surrey's Brett Janzen and Richmond's Caleb Sung, the song was among six finalists chosen from 35 entries. A panel of students, faculty, alumni and staff chose the winner.
"I had a great time working on our song for SFU's legacy song contest, said Janzen. "I'm excited to have had our song chosen to represent the school. I hope it will serve as a unifying anthem for the school as encouragement to the students in their studies and to the staff in their leadership and mentoring."
While Sung is a fourth-year business student at SFU, a singer, composer and pianist, Janzen is a professional musician, producer and composer. They spent about a week on the song.
“We were elated to win the contest. It’s a great milestone just before I graduate next spring,” said Sung, adding he and Janzen were inspired by the anthem-like qualities of some of the music they perform with their church band every weekend.
They then worked to capture the natural, mountain top location of SFU's Burnaby campus in the music.
“We hope that this new song will become a part of SFU’s tradition and help foster pride and school spirit for years to come,” said SFU President Andrew Petter.
Runner-up and People's Choice winners were also selected by online community voting.
SFU film school alumnus Daniel Moxon’s song “We are SFU” was the runner-up while student Brendan Bernardo won the People’s Choice award for “Make a Simon Fraser U”.
Lyrics of Engage the World:
On mountain high we innovate
Build questing minds and educate
With striving hearts initiate
We honor this our native land
While visions grow we take our stand
Where dreams are held in student's hands
Engage the world
Engage the world
Our school will rise above in victory
We’re S.F.U
We're building here community
Where knowledge grows both strong and free
We’ll change the world with unity
Engage the world
Engage the world
Our school will rise above in victory
We’re S.F.U
We’re S.F.U.
We’re S.F.U.