Montevallo, AL– Each year, the second Thursday of October is celebrated on campus at The University of Montevallo as ‘Founders’ Day.’
In 1896, the community of Montevallo was selected as the site for a new state educational institution. The school opened on October 12 in Reynolds Hall, an 1851 building that still houses classrooms and offices.
The Founders’ Day Convocation this year will be held in Palmer Auditorium at 11:00 a.m. on October 8th, and the theme of this day will be ‘Celebrate the Gift of Montevallo.’
The focus of this annual event is the convocation, during which the robing of the seniors and the Omicron Delta Kappa tapping take place. Additionally, five awards will be presented, including the University Scholar Award, the Faculty Service Award, the Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award, the Outstanding Staff Service Award and the Alumnus Loyalty Award.
“Many special individuals will be recognized during the ceremony on Founders Day,” said Gary Johnson, Director of University Relations at The University of Montevallo. “We look forward to bestowing awards upon those that have served Montevallo and its students so well.”
The keynote address will be given by University of Montevallo alumnus, Mr. Tim Lupinacci (Class of 1988). As a shareholder in Baker Donelson’s Birmingham office, Lupinacci is a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors, chair of the Financial Services Department and is former office managing shareholder for Birmingham. He concentrates his practice in the areas of bankruptcy and restructuring, financial services and transactions, and health law.
Lupinacci will speak about his years at the University of Montevallo and the impact it has had on his life and career, specifically as he pursued his law degree at Vanderbilt.
“There is a tremendous value that a University of Montevallo degree holds for our graduates,” said Johnson. “Tim will address the fact that having a degree from our institution is held in great esteem by companies and other higher education institutions across the country.”
Following the ceremony, there will be a luncheon on King Quad for all to attend (or Anna Irvin Dining Hall if inclement weather arrives). During the afternoon, there will be an open house in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Founders’ Day attendees are also invited to visit the new softball and track and field facilities.
The day will conclude with the annual Life Raft Debate at 7:00 p.m., an event that pits faculty member against faculty member— with occasional staff and administrators in the mix — in a debate for survival as the recipient of the last seat on the raft following an imaginary nuclear war. The audience members are in the boat, and they decide by voting who gets to join them.
For more information about Founders’ Day, contact Gary R. Johnson, University of Montevallo- Office of University Relations at 205-665-6217 or gjohnson5@montevallo.edu.