Georgetown College Celebrates Founders’ Day
Submitted on February 3, 2021
At the start of each spring semester, Georgetown College celebrates Founders’ Day, taking time to recognize the impact of so many vital figures in the history of the college and the enduring legacy of the transformational education the college provides. On Wednesday, February 3, Georgetown College once again celebrated Founders’ Day, albeit in slightly different looking circumstances. A limited-attendance, primarily virtual celebration helped create as safe and healthy a Founders’ Day as possible.
Celebrating his second Founders’ Day as Georgetown College president, President Will Jones opened the proceedings by welcoming the many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Georgetown College who were watching the event virtually, giving a special welcome to the new students who are beginning the journey of a lifetime at GC. He also thanked all of those who have dedicated their time, energy, and resources to Georgetown College during these unprecedented times.
Each Founders’ Day features the awarding of the Curry Award for Faculty Excellence. Named after Dr. Ralph Curry and Dr. Gwen Curry, who each served for many years as Chair 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. This year, Dr. Rosemary Allen presented the Curry Award for Faculty Excellence to Dr. Tracy Livingston.
Founders’ Day also features the introduction of the newly elected SGA Executive Council. Dr. Curtis Sandberg introduced new SGA President, Colson Robert Wilson, who introduced the newly elected SGA Executive Council. The new SGA Executive Council includes students: Cindy Lin, Michael Hensley, McKayla Robinson, Isabelle Ruggles, and Eddie Stump.
Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Community Relations Christy Mai then introduced the keynote speaker at this year’s Founders’ Day, Dr. Horace Hambrick. Dr. Hambrick is a native Georgetonian, who has served as a trustee on the college’s Board of Trustees since 2015. His family has deep ties to the college, with his father having served as a faculty member for 46 years and his mother having served as a trustee and President of the Woman’s Association.
Dr. Hambrick completed his undergraduate degree from Hanover College and graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. After medical school, Dr. Hambrick returned to Georgetown and established Georgetown Pediatrics. He has also provided free medical services to indigent families in a community clinic in Georgetown for 21 years.
In his Founders’ Day Address, Dr. Hambrick invoked the voices and lessons of the past, as Georgetown College approaches its bicentennial. He also asked vital questions about what kind of institution Georgetown will be. “Can Georgetown College be a place where truth is truth?” asked Dr. Hambrick. “Where right makes might? Where students can become insightful members of society? Where students can learn to join hands across the chasm of polar echo chambers? Is almost two centuries of a mutually binding love of the Lord enough to teach us that being human, being created in the image of God, is the only requirement needed for inclusion? Can we see all of humanity as one?” A powerful message on what love and inclusion truly mean, Dr. Hambrick’s address pointed the college toward a bright future as a leader in showing this love and inclusion.
Following Dr. Hambrick’s remarks, President Jones concluded the ceremony, echoing the words of Dr. Hambrick that all are welcome at Georgetown College.
