Georgetown College Celebrates Founders' Day
Submitted on January 31, 2024
President Rosemary Allen welcomed students, faculty, and staff to the Founders’ Day Convocation on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 in the John L. Hill Chapel. This annual event recognizes the impact of many vital figures in the College’s history and the enduring legacy of its transformational education.
Each Founders’ Day, Georgetown announces the Curry Award for Faculty Excellence. The award is named after Dr. Ralph Curry and Dr. Gwen Curry, dedicated professors who both served as Chairs of the English Department at Georgetown College. The Curry Award recognizes a faculty member who shows dedication not only to educating students inside the classroom but truly making a difference in their community and in the lives of young people. The 2024 Curry Award was awarded to Dr. Karla Francioni, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Health Studies. She received her bachelor’s degree from Millikin University and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Francioni has been a faculty member at Georgetown College since 2014.
“Dr. Francioni has constantly worked to improve the majors and program offerings for her students, making sure that they have the preparation they need as they go on to graduate and professional schools, said Dr. Sands Wise. “She does not simply serve; she improves, going far beyond what is required simply because she can, and it needs to be done, and in doing so, she makes everyone around her better.”
Founders’ Day also introduces the newly elected Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Council, which serves as the voice of the students. Vice President for Student Life Dr. Curtis Sandberg inducted new SGA President Zach Hamner ’25 and the other members of the SGA Executive Council including Vice President Diana Alvarado ’25, Vice President of Academic Affairs Evan Spencer ’25, Vice President of Community Affairs Jackson Butler ’25, Vice President of Public Relations Kaden Turner ’25, and Parliamentarian Garrett Boring ’25. Hamner delivered the call to convocation.
Alan Redditt '00, Current President of the Alumni Board introduced the new officers, President Mike Eichberger '12, Vice President Keith Griffee '83, Treasurer Vicki Patterson '80, and Secretary Elizabeth Feldpausch '15.
This year, Professor of Philosophy Dr. Roger Ward delivered the Founders’ Day address focusing on the earliest Black students who attended Georgetown College. As part of a grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, Dr. Ward has embarked on a project to explore the saga of Georgetown College over the last 30 years. As part of that project, Ward decided to research the life and careers of some of the earliest Black students, including some of the struggles they endured after the Brown vs. the Topeka Board of Education court case ruled that the segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. Alumni Georgetown Mayor Burney Jenkins '76, Greg Spalding '73, and Doris (Riggs) Cooper '69 (pictured below from left to right) were in attendance for the presentation.
“We are proud of Georgetown’s legacy of education, and we acknowledge the challenge of racism and segregation to that story,” said Dr. Ward. “The men and women we honor today came to Georgetown as students and as the leading edge of a moral argument that education for all people is a good that is worth struggling for. We are grateful for you and for your part in making the saga of Georgetown a richer and better story.”
