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Carrying on Elmhurst's Traditions

Three Elmhurst students were honored for their commitment to service at the 2009 Founders Day convocation.

The ringing of the Hash Bell. The parade of faculty and staff, led by President S. Alan Ray, all wearing their colorful robes. The singing of the Alma Mater. The recognition of Elmhurst’s finest service-minded students.

Weaving together remembrance and change, these core historic traditions marked the 2009 Founders Day convocation that took place in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel on February 20. This year’s event celebrated Elmhurst College’s 138th anniversary. 

Nineteen Founders Day award nominees were recognized in the chapel, though only three were awarded medallions. Students were nominated based upon their highest commitment to scholarship, and service to campus, to greater society or to the global community. The recipients were then chosen by a panel of Elmhurst faculty and staff.

Melanie Giannosa (center) was awarded the Service to Campus honor. The senior has been instrumental in the success of a campus-wide orientation program and a Commuter Appreciation Week. Giannosa is also active in Greek Life, Theta Alpha Phi Honors Fraternity, and Walk for Hope. 

Junior English major Jessica Sullivan (left) was named the winner of the Service to the Greater Community award. Sullivan is involved in the Spiritual Life Council, where she engages in interfaith dialogue and served as the co-director of worship and director of public relations. The co-founder of the Elmhurst College chapter of the NAACP, Sullivan also serves as a Big Questions Orientation Student Leader and vice president of marketing for the Student Government Association.

Soofia Ahmed (right) was the recipient of the Cureton Service to the Global Community award. Ahmed, an English major, volunteers at a battered women’s shelter, coordinates a campus film series called “Films for Justice,” and serves as the Gandhi Intern for International Justice.

The ceremony’s keynote address was provided by active NAACP member Lamel McMorris, founder and CEO of Perennial Strategy Group. As the nation recognizes its first African-American president and the NAACP celebrates its 100th anniversary, McMorris’ speech was centered around promoting equality on Elmhurst’s campus.

McMorris has ties to campus, as Elmhurst alumna Laurie Rich ‘00, is employed by McMorris’ company. In fact, Rich has had such an impact on McMorris that an endowment was established in her name and announced at Founders Day. The Laurie Rich Light of Knowledge scholarship will be awarded starting in Fall 2009 to academically eligible juniors or seniors who are both English majors and traditional students. The recipients are nominated by English department faculty members and should be planning for a career in journalism.
 

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