Celebrate Our Shared Legacy on 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.
Founder’s Day 2026 – May 14-17, 2026
Join us for Founder’s Day 2026 as we celebrate the legacy of Stephen Girard and the Girard College community with a weekend full of tradition, connection, and celebration. Activities are held on the Girard College campus and partner locations.
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)
7:00 pm | 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
- 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. See link below.
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.
