Founder's Week | ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･

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Founder窶冱 Week

A robust week of activities blends the past, present, and the future with events designed to engage ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters. Events include the annual Founder窶冱 Day Convocation, cake-cutting, Reflections of Excellence, and the A Candle in the Dark Gala.

Schedule of Events

Celebrating ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･'s History

窶廢t Facta Est Lux.窶� On February 14, 1867, rays of light emerged from intellectual darkness when ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ was founded as the Augusta Institute by the Rev. William Jefferson White.

ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ was founded as Augusta Institute on February 14, 1867 at Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta, GA by the Rev. William Jefferson White, with the Rev. Richard C. Coulter and the Rev. Edmund Turney. Since that time, ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ has become an iconic institution in higher learning, recognized globally for its impact in producing leaders who create systemic societal change.

Learn more about ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ history.

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the 37th Annual

"A Candle In The Dark" Gala

The 窶廣 Candle in the Dark窶� Gala is an exceptional evening of elegance and achievement celebrated annually in February during the College窶冱 Founder窶冱 Week observance.

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ will commemorate its 157th year of educating and developing extraordinary leaders. Held at the majestic Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, the VIP Reception commences at 6:00 p.m. with the Gala following at 7:30 p.m. We hope that you will join us!

February 11-16, 2025

Founder窶冱 Week Schedule

This year's Founder's Week events run from Tuesday, February 11 thru Sunday, February 16, 2025. See details below and check back for updates to this section.

OUR HOUSE: A Celebration of Faculty Achievement

DATE: Tues., Feb 11 @ 4:30 PM
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC)

ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ Day at the Capitol

DATE: Wed., February 12 at 9:00 AM
PLACE: Georgia State Capitol

PLAY: The Meeting: ML King Jr. Meets Malcolm X

DATE: Wed., February 12 @ 4:30 PM
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC)

158th Founder窶冱 Day Convocation

DATE: Thurs., Feb 13 @ 10:45 AM
Speaker: Prof. Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. 窶�89, Harvard University School of Law

One of ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･窶冱 most revered traditions in which the ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ family stops to reflect on its founding and impact on the future.

Learn More

Cake Cutting Ceremony

DATE: Thurs., Feb 13 @ 12:30 PM
PLACE: Chivers Dining Hall

FILM: Belonging Beyond Brown

DATE: Thurs., Feb 13 @ 7:00 PM
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC)

Following the film's premiere, a reception and post-discussion will occur.

Recommended: Things to Do in Atlanta, etc.

DATE: Fri., Feb. 14 @ 7:00 PM
PLACE: Bank of America Auditorium

Join us for a special Valentine's Day presentation of the classic 90s film, "Love Jones", celebrating Black love & cinema.

Reflections of Excellence

DATE: Sat., Feb. 15 @ 11:00 AM
MODERATOR: Trymaine D. Lee of MSNBC
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC)

The Reflections of Excellence program brings together trailblazers receiving Benjamin Elijah Mays 窶廝ennie窶� Awards and Candle Awards in 2024 for their achievements as leaders in their fields.

A Candle in the Dark Gala

DATE: Sat., Feb. 15 @ 7:30 PM

The 窶廣 Candle in the Dark窶� Gala has become one of the nation窶冱 premier events to celebrate African American achievement and raise much-needed scholarship funds for deserving students.

NOTE: This event is SOLD OUT.

Learn More

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ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ Glee Club Concert

DATE: Sun., Feb 16 @ 3:00 PM
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC)

Founder窶冱 Week Sunday Vesper Service

DATE: Sun., Feb. 16 @ 5:30 PM
SPEAKER: Rev. Willie D. Francois III '09, M.Div., D.Min.

Founder窶冱 Week concludes with a celebration of the Gospel.

Additional Information

Get SWAG

Purchase SWAG from the ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･ Bookstore.

Hotel Accommodations

Hyatt Regency Atlanta has been the longtime partner and supporter of ﾐﾂｲ靹ｱｲ･窶冱窶連 Candle in the Dark窶� Gala. Click the link below for the special Candle Weekend rate.