Today we are celebrating an important and impressive milestone in the history of The Governor’s Academy, our 250th Founder’s Day. This special day gives the community time to celebrate both the past and the future of the Academy. Founder’s Day began with a close order drill by detachments of re-enactors in His Majesty’s 10thRegiment and Glover’s 14th Continental Regiment, outside of the Little Red School House. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests gathered around the schoolhouse for the reenactment and opening address given by Headmaster Quimby.
Following the re-enactment students and faculty assembled in Moseley Chapel for a service of Thanksgiving and Rededication. Readings included a Letter of Greeting from Governor Deval Patrick and a reading of William Dummer’s Will. Academy president, Jean Bower, gave the Rededication and several student musicians performed throughout the service.
A historical symposium highlighted the work of our AP US history class. Twelve members of the class of 2013 researched and wrote papers on subjects concerning our school’s history, drawing as much as possible from the Academy archives. These students presented their findings in the Wilkie Center to their peers and guests of the Academy. To read the student research papers, please click here.
Students and faculty were given the opportunity to take part in “The GDA Experience” by attending panels which highlighted different aspects of alumni experiences. The panels included: Alumni in Various Professions, Athletics at the Academy and Beyond, Co-Education, and Emeriti Headmasters & Faculty. Alumni and faculty sat on each panel and gave students the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Academy from those who walked the campus before them.
Dr. John Stauffer acted as the keynote speaker at the Founder’s Day Luncheon. Dr. Stauffer is Chair of the History of American Civilization program at Harvard University. He is a leading authority on antislavery, social protest movements, and interracial friendship.
The program continues this afternoon with “Exhibition 2013,” featuring the work of current students and faculty. Interactive exhibits are stationed throughout campus and range from song and dance, to our own Antiques Road Show.
This full day event will conclude with a concert in the Wilkie Center for the Performing Arts, featuring Ellis Paul. Opening performances by Governor’s Alumni include: Jonathan Auerbach ’74, Mark Lipman ’00, and Kelsey Quigley ’04. The show begins at 8:00 p.m.