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Emory & Henry recognizes alumni for outstanding achievements

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Although the pandemic has not let Emory & Henry observe its annual Founders Day celebration in person for the past two years, the College is still recognizing alumni for their contributions to the school and community.

The Emory & Henry Alumni Association chose notable alumni and one faculty member to be recognized by the Association for outstanding professional and volunteer contributions. The following individuals were honored for their outstanding achievements:

Carl and Ruth Looney Humanitarian Award:

Rob Goldsmith, Class of 1971

President and CEO at People, Incorporated of Virginia

Distinguished Achievement:

Lisa Jordan, Class of 1984

Director of Education at the United Steel Workers.

Fred Selfe Service to Emory & Henry:

All our E&H in the City Volunteers

A.L. Mitchell Young Alumna Award:

Kishanna Caesar Heyward, Class of 2008.

Author of a coloring book that teaches children about the value and perils of credit.

James A. Davis Faculty Award:

Dr. James Duchamp

Emory & Henry Copenhaver Professor & Chair of the Chemistry Department

Founders Day Citations traditionally given to outstanding community members and organizations will not be awarded this year but will continue when the in-person Founders Day Celebration occurs again.

Emory & Henry annually observes Founders Day to celebrate the founding of the College and those individuals and groups whose efforts were instrumental in establishing Southwest Virginia’s first institution of higher education. Initial planning for the founding of Emory & Henry began in October 1835, when members of the Holston Conference of the Methodist Church voted to establish a college in the region. By January 1, 1836, the site had been selected, and the cornerstone for the first building was laid September 30, 1836, at a founding celebration. Classes began in the spring of 1838.

Four area individuals are credited with raising funds and choosing the site for the College: Tobias Smyth, a local farmer and enthusiastic Methodist lay person; the Reverend Creed Fulton, a circuit-riding Methodist minister from Grayson County, Virginia; Colonel William Byars, a distinguished Presbyterian layperson from Glade Spring, Virginia; and Alexander Findlay, a successful business entrepreneur from Abingdon, Virginia.

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Founders Day 2019
Founders Day 2019

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