Every February, Anderson University celebrates its founding and subsequent impact on many lives with Founders Day.
This year’s Founders Day convocation on, Feb. 17, 2021, will be streamed online, part of a week of virtual and online events and activities that will highlight and celebrate the Anderson University story.
“This year’s observance of Founders Day marks the 110th anniversary of the University’s original charter, issued on February 14, 1911. In 1929, Anderson’s fifth president, Dr. Annie Dove Denmark, began the tradition of celebrating Founders Day in order to acknowledge those individuals and organizations that played a significant part in the founding of Anderson University,” said Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs Wayne Landrith. “As we stroll around our beautiful campus on Founders Day, I hope we will reflect on the rich history of Anderson and look to the future with great anticipation as God continues to use this special place to inspire a future generation of students to nourish humanity through the cross.”
The Founders Day convocation service will include an address from Dr. David Larson, dean of the South Carolina School for the Arts at Anderson University. The service will stream online starting at 10:10 a.m. on the AU Worship YouTube page. Worship time will be led by SCSA Worship Leadership program students. The service will be available by AU students via the iAttended chapel app for chapel attendance credit. The video is being produced by AU Mass Communication majors.
Also that week, the Student Government Association (SGA) will host the AU Historical Photo Recreation competition on social media, starting Monday, February 15, to recreate a historical AU photo.
On Friday, Feb 19 at 10:10 a.m., Dr. Joyce Wood, AU history professor emeritus, resident historian and author of a book on the history of Anderson University, will present “The History of AU” as a CEP (Curriculum Enhancement Program) event, live seated G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center Theater with social distancing, live streaming and available online via YouTube. Also, during the Friday CEP event, the winners of the AU Historical Photo Recreation competition will be announced.
Anderson University Founders Day Facts
- Through the years, Founders Day has become a time when alumni, friends, faculty, and students pause to remember the dedication and devotion of the founders and friends of Anderson University.
- Anderson University was founded in 1911. Local business and community leaders gifted $100,000 and 32 acres to the South Carolina Baptist State Convention to establish the University.
- On the occasion of her inauguration as president of Anderson College in 1929, Annie Dove Denmark established the tradition of celebrating Founders Day on February 14, commemorating the date of the institution’s charter.
- This year’s Founders Day will be celebrated on February 17th. Long Live Anderson!
The service will stream online starting Feb. 17, 2021 at 10:10 a.m. on the AU Worship YouTube page