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.

Founders Day 2026

Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17, 2026
Girard College Campus & Partner Locations

Join us for Founders Day 2026 as we celebrate the legacy of Stephen Girard and the Girard College community with a weekend full of tradition, connection, and 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 178-year legacy.

We can’t wait to see you all there!

2026 Schedule of Events

Register for all the Founder’s Day Events on the Cavalier Connections Founder’s Day 2026 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 14

Welcome Center (Girard College Campus)
4pm | Student Art Show

Chapel (Girard College Campus)
7:00pm | Spring Concert and Art Show

Friday, May 15

The Links Golf Club (Marlton, NJ)
GCAA Golf Classic

7am | Registration
8am | Shotgun start
Luncheon following play

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

●      Honoring the Stephen Girard Award Winner and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Class of 1976; the 30th Anniversary of the Class of 1996 and the 25th anniversary of the Class of 2001.

Saturday, May 16

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
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Founder’s Hall President’s Reception

Join us for a Founder’s Day reception hosted by President David Hardy and Girard College. This free event will allow you to connect with your fellow brothers and sisters to take a trip down memory lane. Light hors d’oeuvres and wine and beer will be served.

Activities Include:

• Founder’s Hall Museum Tours
• Alumni-Student Basketball Game
• Alumni-Student Softball Game
• Hum Fair with bounce houses, DJ and face painting
• Shari Williams Drone Demo
• Philly Girls Jump Demo
• Food Trucks
• Boy Scouts – Providing Food (Pavilion Area)

Sunday, May 17

Charles Warren Stanley ’67 Memorial 5K Walk/Run – Registration Fee Required

8:30 AM – Race Start
Girard College Campus
2101 S. College Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121

This cross-country style 5K welcomes runners and walkers of all ages. Registration is approximately $50 (plus processing fee), with age-based discounts applied automatically. All participants receive a commemorative race shirt. Proceeds support Girard College athletics.

Register for individual events and view full details through Cavalier Connections.

Reunion Classes

50th Anniversary, Class of 1976

30th Anniversary, Class of 1996

25th Anniversary, Class of 2001