The Spelman College Office of Alumnae of Engagement is pleased to share our Founders Day 2024 event schedule and volunteer opportunities. Each event is designed to pay homage to our rich legacy, spark intergenerational dialogue or recognize the contributions of three of our award-winning Spelman College family members. Faculty
and staff can click here to
register to volunteer.
For a printable version of this event schedule and more information, click here.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. History and Traditions Convocation Sisters Chapel We invite you to be a part of a cross-generational conversation that will foster understanding,
collaboration, ignite a spirit of legacy, and build a stronger sisterly bond of shared humanity and community across a diverse age group.
Sunday, April 7, 2024 1 p.m. Founders Day Worship Service Sisters Chapel Join us for a relevant and inviting worship service experience in historic Sisters Chapel featuring a dynamic message from Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson, C’81, Senior Pastor of The Park (Hamilton Park United Methodist Church) in Dallas, Texas, to usher in the Founders Day celebration season.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Alumnae Celebration Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta Join us for a spectacular evening as we celebrate and honor our 2024 awardees with special tributes and presentations. The event will be held at Friendship Baptist Church, 80 Walnut Street, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30314. Spelman faculty and staff are encouraged to come celebrate our beloved staff member, Edwin "Pete" Varner, Facilities Management Coordinator. Faculty and staff interested in volunteering can click here to register. Space is limited and is $50/per person to attend. Click here to purchase tickets. Dinner and parking are included. Ample parking is available on site.
Thursday, April 11, 2024 6:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Senior Class Robing Beverly Daniel Tatum Suites Dining Hall/Amphitheatre Faculty and staff volunteers are needed to help robe graduating seniors wearing academic regalia for the first time. To volunteer, click here. Breakfast will be served.
7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Senior/First-Year Student Line-up Beverly Daniel Tatum Suites Dining Hall Faculty and staff volunteers are needed to assist with guiding graduating seniors from the class picture, and first-year students from their meeting location for the Convocation processional into Sisters Chapel. Breakfast will be served.
9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Founders Day Convocation Alumnae Viewing Party Manley College Center June Gary Hopps Atrium Join family, friends, and other Spelman women for the Founders Day
Convocation viewing party and continental breakfast.
12 p.m. Spelman College Birthday Party Rockefeller Hall Front Steps The Granddaughters Club of Spelman College leads the traditional cutting of the College’s birthday cake
Sunday, April 14, 2024
5 p.m. Harreld-James Organ Recital Series Sisters Chapel
Joyce Johnson, Ph.D., Spelman organist and professor emerita of music, is hosting an organ recital featuring internationally renowned artist, Isabelle Demers, Ph.D., from McGill University as part of the Harreld-James Organ Recital Series. Doors Open at 4:15 p.m. The concert is free and open to the AUC Community and general public.
Founders Day 2024 Honorees
HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT Dr. Ruha Benjamin, C’2001
Award-winning author, Princeton University Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African American Studies Director, Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab
FOUNDERS SPIRIT AWARD Marian Rucker-Shamu, C'65
Retired Librarian, Former Spelman College Trustee Representative Former National President of National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC)
TRUE BLUE AWARD Edwin "Pete" Varner
Facilities Management Coordinator Recognized for 18 years of dedicated service to Spelman College
Support Spelman College Through the 11 Days of Giving: Alumnae Class Giving Challenge! Now through April 11, Spelman College invites you to Ignite the Spirit of Legacy by becoming one of 1,881 donors and participating in our Founders Day 2024 giving celebration.
To learn how you can keep Spelman strong for Founders Day, click here.
As we prepare to celebrate another great year of Spelman College, let’s Ignite the Spirit of Legacy for Founders Day!
