Inauguration Speech

Letter from Governor

Week of Events

Hall of Presidents

About Our 14th President

Presidential Honors Scholarship

A History of Founders Day

    In 1891, Webster Browning, president of the senior class, spearheaded a successful effort to honor the founders of the college, George S. Park and Dr. John A. McAfee.  Both founders had died in 1890, almost exactly one week apart; George Park on June 6 and Dr. McAfee on June 12.  Mr. Browning and others thought that a program celebrating their lives and work would be a fitting memorial and planned a series of events to take place on May 12,  the 16th anniversary of the first day of college classes.  The keynote speaker was the Reverend Elisha B Sherwood, considered by many historians to be the third founder of Park College.  He was the man who had brought Park and McAfee together and who, with them, had formulated the concept of "Park College For Training Christian Workers."

    Since that first celebration, Founders' Day has been observed, with few exceptions, on or near May 12.  It has not, however, been celebrated every year; for various reasons, there are gaps in the event's history.  If there had been no disruptions, this year's event would have been the 111th celebration of Founders' Day, held on the school's 127th anniversary.

   Founders' Day has taken many forms over the years and has included everything from target shooting to Maypole dances.  In 1984, alumnus Bill Tipton, '28, conceived the idea of a formal Founders' Day Banquet, a major event that has become a tradition.

Founders Day Inaugural Gala

Inaugural Gala Highlights

History of Park

Committee Members

History of Founders Day

Maps