Spelman College Marks 140-Year Anniversary Of Academic Excellence

Spelman College will celebrate its 140th anniversary.

The all-female Historically Black College is marking its 140th year of academic excellence through a series of virtual events designed to honor its history and legacy.

The 2021 theme “Undaunted: Founders Day @ Spelman” will be held virtually so that Alumnae and friends of the college can celebrate its longstanding commitment to academics and service to others.

“Founded in 1881, in the basement of Friendship Baptist Church, one of the largest and most influential Black congregations in Atlanta, Spelman College has a long-standing commitment to creating pathways for women through education,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. “Although circumstances require that we spend this landmark year at a distance, we are looking forward to celebrating the legacy, established by our founders, Sophia B. Packard, Harriet B. Giles, and the 10 women and one girl, who placed their faith in a school that would change their lives and change the world.”

The kickoff started April 8 via Zoom with the annual Founders Day History and Traditions Convocation, which featured editor, author, and public speaker Wanda Smalls Loyd, Class of ’71, in conversation with the best-selling author Tina McElroy Ansa, C’71.

The two alumnae will talk about their co-authored anthology, “Meeting at the Table: African-American Women Write on Race, Culture, and Community.”

“While we mainly remain physically distant, we are bringing the ceremonies and events to our community globally through virtual formats while upholding our traditions,” said Alyson Shumpert Dorsey, C’2002, senior alumnae programs manager in the Office of Alumnae Engagement. “This year’s theme, Undaunted: Founders Day @ Spelman, is a testament to the spirit in which Spelman was founded.”

Spelman’s official podcast, “The Blue Record,” will also host a discussion on the college’s YouTube Channel Friday, April 9, at 3 PM. The topic will surround what Founders Day means to a new generation of students who attend the school and are dedicated to sisterhood and social justice, the outlet reported.

The same day, Spelman will host Alumnae Celebration virtually. During that event, the school will honor Judge Brenda Hill Cole, class of ’63 as an honorary degree recipient. Gwendolyn Harris Middlebrooks, Ph.D., C’61, as the Founders Spirit awardee, and Nettie Ware, a housekeeper on Spelman’s Facilities Management team, is set to receive the True Blue Award.

The events will conclude on April 11 after the 140th Founders Day Convocation, which will be streamed lived on Spelman.edu, Facebook, and YouTube.