Alumni

Founder's Day

Founder’s Day is a celebration of the vision and philanthropy of Stephen Girard and the impact of the school he founded. Each year on the third Saturday in May (Girard’s birthday is May 20), generations of alumni return to the campus they called home to reminisce with classmates, interact with current students, and take part in time-honored traditions.

For 2024, we are pleased to showcase the newly renovated Founder’s Hall which houses our re-imagined Museum, which will be open to the public for tours that weekend. We are looking forward to bringing new family-friendly activities to the event. You may even get to join in some of the games from the good ‘ole days! Music, laughter, food, and a sense of community are what we want you to experience when you join us for this year’s Founder’s Day Celebration!

Organized by the Girard College Alumni Association, in collaboration with Girard College, Founder’s Day is a time for community. The public is welcome to explore our historic campus and learn more about our 176-year legacy.

We can’t wait to see you all there!

2024 Schedule of Events

Register for all the Founder’s Day Events on the Cavalier Connections Founder’s Day 2024 page. After you click the Registration button, links for each event will appear separately so that you can register for the specific events that you wish to attend. While registration for Saturday’s Alumni & Family Fun Day is free, other events will require a fee. As it gets closer to the event, additional details will be posted on the Cavalier Connections website regarding the activities, parking, and travel information.

Thursday, May 16
Founder’s Hall (Girard College Campus)
4pm | Student Art Show

Chapel (Girard College Campus)
7:30pm | Spring Concert

Friday, May 17
Valleybrook Country Club (Blackwood, NJ)
GCAA Golf Classic

7am | Registration
8am | Shotgun start
Followed by luncheon on site

Founder’s Hall (Girard College Campus)
5pm | Founder’s Hall Museum Tours
6pm | Celebration Awards Dinner

●      Honoring the Stephen Girard Award Winner:
Dr. Edward J. Gallagher, III, ‘99

Saturday, May 18
Founder’s Day (Girard College Campus)

8am | Gates Open for Registration
9am | Wreath Ceremony (Founder’s Hall Portico)
10am | Chapel Service
11am – 4pm | Girard College Alumni & Family Fun Day

●      Activities Include:

○      Founder’s Hall Museum Tours
○      Adult Cavalier Day Replay with some of your favorite games
○      Quany the Clown – DJ and Music, Bouncy House, Cotton Candy, Balloon Animal Artist
○      Boy Scouts – Providing Food (Pavilion Area)
○      Other activities will be added when they are confirmed.

4pm | President’s Reception (President’s House)

6pm | Event Concludes

Reunion Classes

50th Anniversary, Class of 1974

Charles Hicks, ‘74 was the first African-American graduate of Girard College. A plaque in his memory will be presented at the Celebration Awards Dinner on Friday evening and at the Saturday morning Chapel service.

30th Anniversary, Class of 1994

25th Anniversary, Class of 1999

Stephen Girard Award Recipient

Dr. Edward J. Gallagher, III, ‘99