Emporia State University will mark 156 years of educational excellence with its annual Founders’ Day celebration.
During Founders’ Day activities, Emporia State pays tribute to the foresight of those Kansans who established the Kansas State Normal School in 1863. The first day of class was Feb. 15, 1865, with 18 teacher-education students meeting on the second floor of the district’s local schoolhouse.
The 2019 celebration begins at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15 in Webb Hall. It includes a buffet lunch with a program beginning at 12:05 p.m. and concluding by 1 p.m.
The program will include special recognition of the City of Emporia’s and Lyon County’s investment in ESU, celebrating the generosity through planned giving of ESU’s Kellogg Society and awarding our annual 1863 scholarship essay winners in which student essays on the question “How has Emporia State University changed your life?” are judged by Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professors from across campus.
The essay contest began with a gift of $1,863 from the President’s Community Advisory Council. Since 2014, the gift has been divided between two recipients for $1,000 and $863.
This year’s menu includes BBQ beef brisket; chicken piccata with lemon caper sauce; Hornet green beans; vegetarian lasagna; herb roasted potatoes; dinner rolls; mixed greens with craisins, pecans, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese; and Corky cupcakes!
Tickets cost $5 and are required for the Founders’ Day luncheon. They may be purchased before 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, from the Memorial Union Ticket Office.