Bethany College Announces Distinguished Speaker for 2026 Founder’s Day Convocation

Bethany College is pleased to announce that Dr. Kristine A. Culp, dean of the Disciples Divinity House and associate professor of theology at the University of Chicago, will serve as the featured speaker for the College’s annual Founder’s Day convocation scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Commencement Hall.
Founder’s Day, observed each year on the first Thursday of March, is a celebration of the College’s 1840 charter and the legacy of its founder, Alexander Campbell, a pioneering religious leader, educator, and central figure. This year’s event carries added significance as it marks the 160th anniversary of Campbell’s death, providing space for reflection on his enduring contributions to higher education, faith, and public life.
Culp joined the Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago in 1991, where she has served as dean for more than three decades. Since 2008, she has served as associate professor of theology in the University’s Divinity School. Her scholarship engages themes of Christian community, vulnerability, resilience, and the ethical responsibilities of religious life in contemporary society.
In her Founder’s Day address, “Three Forms of Freedom,” Culp will offer insights that align with Bethany College’s commitment to intellectual engagement and community enrichment.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Culp to Bethany College for Founder’s Day,” said Bethany President Dr. Jamie Caridi. “Her leadership, scholarship, and service to theological education exemplify the values we celebrate each year, and we look forward to her reflections on our shared traditions and the responsibilities that shape our future.”
The 2026 observance will also include traditional elements of the College’s annual celebration, including the first public donning of academic regalia by members of the senior class, a community luncheon, a question-and-answer session, and the wreath-laying ceremony at Campbell’s gravesite, a solemn tribute to the College’s founder and heritage.
In coordination with Founders Day, Decima’s Cafe will offer breakfast foods and beverages as well as showcasing historical exhibits focused on the Women of Bethany. Decima’s Cafe is named in honor of Alexander Campbell’s tenth daughter, named Decima who remained in Bethany throughout her life and was a property owner. The event honors the contributions of founding women to Bethany College and the Disciples of Christ faith.
The Founder’s Day convocation is open to the public, and all are invited to attend and join Bethany College in commemorating nearly two centuries of academic excellence and service. For those who cannot make it, the event will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.
Founder’s Day Schedule:
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Decima’s Cafe at the Bethany Memorial Church
11 a.m. Convocation in Commencement Hall
12 p.m. Luncheon in Phillips Hall
1 p.m. Wreath Laying in Campbell Cemetery
History of Founder’s Day
Founder’s Day at Bethany College is observed on the first Thursday of March, commemorating the College’s official charter from the Legislature of Virginia on March 2, 1840. The charter was later affirmed by the newly formed state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863. The event celebrates Alexander Campbell’s legacy as a pioneer in education and as one of the principal founders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).