Bethany College welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests to Commencement Hall on Thursday for its annual Founder’s Day Convocation, a longstanding tradition that celebrates the College’s 1840 charter and the vision of founder Alexander Campbell.
The annual observance brings the Bethany community together to reflect on the institution’s mission to educate “effective, honorable and humane citizens” and to honor the legacy of leadership, scholarship, and service that has defined the College for 186 years.
During the event, Bethany President Dr. Jamie Caridi welcomed the campus community and offered reflections on Bethany’s founding principles and the continued relevance of Campbell’s vision.
“We have educated effective, honorable, humane, and intelligent citizens, and we will continue to do so for another two centuries by delivering an education that integrates critical thinking into every course, balances accomplishment with ethical responsibility, places service to others ahead of personal ambition, and teaches all students how to move ideas to implementation as Reverend Campbell modeled throughout his life and in his vision for Bethany College,” said Caridi.
Caridi also recognized the Class of 2026, who processed into Commencement Hall as part of the Founder’s Day tradition, symbolizing the continuation of a journey that will culminate at commencement later this spring. The moment served as both a celebration of student accomplishments and a reminder of the transformative experiences that define a Bethany education.
As part of the convocation, Dr. Kristine A. Culp, dean of the Disciples Divinity House and associate professor of theology at the University of Chicago, delivered the keynote address. Culp is widely recognized for her work at the intersection of theology, ethics, and social thought, and her scholarship often engages feminist theory, historical studies, literature, and visual art.
She is the author of “Vulnerability and Glory: A Theological Account” and editor of “The Responsibility of the Church for Society and Other Essays” by H. Richard Niebuhr. Culp is also currently working on a new book project exploring theological reflections on the vitality of life and the transformation of earthly experience.
Introduced during the convocation as a scholar whose work explores the role of theology in shaping both knowledge and life, Culp’s remarks reflected the intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary spirit that are central to the liberal arts tradition.
“Freedom is an irreplaceable element in Campbell’s legacy of learning,” said Culp. “The goals articulated for Bethany College from its founding in 1840 figure education as a kind of liberation necessary for public life and the common good.”
During the convocation, the College recognized Dr. Kayce Mobley, assistant professor and chair of history and political science, as the inaugural award recipient for the Dr. John U. and Marianne S. Davis Educational Advancement award presented by Scott Thompson ‘78, co-director of the Beta Theta Pi Charitable Foundation. This award was established to honor John, a long-time Bethany education professor and active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and his wife, Marianne, a 20-year teacher at Bethany Primary School and at the College.
Bethany College also extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Art Keys for his leadership in helping bring the Founder’s Day convocation to life. Through his thoughtful coordination and commitment to the tradition, the event provided a meaningful opportunity for the campus community to gather, reflect on Bethany’s history, and celebrate the enduring legacy of Alexander Campbell.
Founder’s Day, observed each year on the first Thursday of March, commemorates the chartering of Bethany College and celebrates the legacy of Alexander Campbell, a pioneering religious leader, educator, and founder of the Disciples of Christ movement. The day also serves as an opportunity for the Bethany community to reflect on the College’s past while reaffirming its commitment to preparing students for meaningful lives of leadership and service.
As Bethany approaches nearly two centuries of educational excellence, the annual convocation continues to highlight the enduring impact of Campbell’s vision and the vibrant community that carries it forward.