On Thursday, April 11, 2024, Spelman College celebrated its 143rd Founders Day. Students, alumnae, faculty and staff gathered in a joyous commemoration of the day Harriet E. Giles and Sophia B. Packard founded the illustrious institution in 1881.
The Spelman community ignited the spirit of legacy with a week full of festivities that fostered community, strengthened the sisterhood and honored over a century of tradition. Founders Day commenced with the Founders Day Convocation, which featured 11th President Dr. Helene D. Gayle and 2024 Honorary Degree recipient Dr. Ruha Benjamin, C’2001, as speakers. Benjamin was among three award recipients at the Convocation, including 2024 Founders Spirit Award degree recipient Marian Rucker-Shamu, C’65, retired librarian of 56 years in public, special and academic libraries, and 2024 True Blue Award recipient Edwin ‘Pete’ Varner, dedicated member of the Spelman College community for 18 years.
Other activities that took place throughout the week included the History and Traditions Convocation on April 4, Alumnae Celebration in Friendship Baptist Church on April 10 and the Senior Class Robing the morning of Founders Day.
This year, Spelman invited a special guest to participate in the Founders Day activities. Seventeen-year-old Ariana "Ari" Hargrove, Massachusetts native and Make-A-Wish participant, had her wish granted to visit Spelman College. The Spelman community welcomed Ari with open arms into its celebration of legacy.
Following the Convocation, the College community joined together for the Spelman College birthday party and cake cutting led by the Granddaughters Club, culminating the week’s festivities in a momentous celebration filled with reverence, pride and excitement for the institution’s long history of excellence, sisterhood and service.