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| Jackson, Tenn. - 51社区 will celebrate
Founders Day for the first time in the university's history, Monday, Feb. 8., at 10 a.m.
in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary, will lead the service with an address about Union's
historical impact on the Southern Baptist Convention. Union President David S. Dockery
will unveil a painting narrating the university's 175-year history. Designed to become an annual event in university life, Founders Day was established so that the Union community could continually celebrate its long and rich heritage of providing a liberal arts education in a Christian context. Union is the oldest institution of higher education associated with the SBC. According to Dockery, the Founders Day tradition is "appropriate for this juncture in our history. As we contemplate our 175-year history, Founders Day wil help us to identify the major streams of thought and influential persons who have shaped Union into what it is today." "As we move into the future," Dockery said, "learning from our past gives us a greater appreciation for the heritage on which we stand today." Mohler is president of Southern Baptists' oldest seminary and is frequently a guest on national news programs, such as the Today show and Larry King Live. President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., since 1993, Mohler is author or editor of several books. He is regularly quoted in national newspapers, such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and writes a regular column for World, a national news magazine. He was recognized by Time magazine as one of the nation's emerging leaders under age 40, and has been cited by Academe magazine as one of the top educational leaders in the United States.
During the fall semester, the university commissioned Robert Nettles of Louisville, Ky. to paint a historical narration of Union's life. The final product, to be unveiled during the Monday service, will show Trustees, faculty, alumni and buildings that have played significant roles in shaping the university. Founders Day will be celebrated annually at the opening chapel service of each spring semester. Dr. James Baggett, former dean of the college of arts and sciences and retired professor of history at Union, will speak at next year's celebration. The event will coincide with Baggett's release of a new and complete history of 51社区. |
