Maryland's Oldest HBCU To Celebrate Founder's Day
BOWIE, MD –Bowie State University will celebrate its 146th anniversary as Maryland’s oldest HBCU and one of the oldest in the nation during its annual Founders’ Day event on Monday, April 18, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Samuel L. Myers Auditorium in the Martin Luther King Jr. Communications Art Center on the University campus.
Founders’ Day is an annual event which allows the Bowie State University community to commemorate the key beliefs and traditions upon which the University was established. The event will highlight the founding history of the institution through a number of speeches, musical performances and ceremonies.
“The purpose of celebrating Founders’ Day is to highlight the connection between the historic foundation of Bowie State University and the current campus community,” said Bowie State University President Mickey L. Burnim. “By understanding the vision of our founders, we are better equipped to guide the University forward by incorporating those same values into our goals and objectives.”
The 2011 theme is “Voices of the Past Speak to the Future,” reflecting the purpose of the event, which aims to increase awareness of the history and tradition of Bowie State University. Through learning about the beliefs and accomplishments of the University’s founders, the campus community will have a better understanding of the University’s vision and mission which is strongly influenced by the ideals of its founding.
The keynote speaker for this year’s event is Dr. Robert M. Franklin, president of Morehouse College. Prior to arriving at Morehouse, Dr. Franklin was a Presidential Distinguished Professor of Social Ethics at Emory University. Author of three books, his major fields of study include social ethics, psychology and African American religion. He has also studied seven languages.
“I am exceptionally pleased to be a part of Bowie State University’s 146th Founders’ Day,” said Dr. Franklin. “I have always been inspired by the University's values, its alumni, and President Burnim’s commitment to ensuring that education empower people to lead and serve. At this critical time, we share a commitment to enabling more African American men to attend and graduate from college."
