Converse Celebrates Community & Legacy at 2025 Reunion and Founder’s Day

Written by Sofiya Gobora ‘25 & Allison Reini

On Friday, April 25, 2025, the Converse University community gathered in Twichell Auditorium within the Zimmerli Performance Center to celebrate an annual tradition – Founder’s Day. This event is held each spring semester to honor the life and legacy of our Founder Dexter Edgar Converse, born April 21, 1829.

Founder’s Day 2025 was a joyful and unifying occasion, one that beautifully honored the past while inspiring a future built on community, leadership, and purpose. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony featured a formal procession of the Senior Class and faculty. The program included the presentations of prestigious awards, a musical performance, greetings from the Student Government Association President Abeeha Sajid ‘25 (Nisbet Honors) and a welcome from the Alumni Association Board President, Valerie Dowling ‘07.

Spartanburg native and Converse alumna Rev. Amy Cantrell ’94 presented a moving and inspiring keynote address. Each speaker underscored the values that shape the Converse experience.

Converse’s mission and core values echoed throughout the day: “See Clearly, Decide Wisely, and Act Justly.” These words resonated in every speech, with speakers sharing personal interpretations and stories that brought the motto to life.

Abeeha Sajid ’25, SGA President, welcomed the student body and reminded everyone that we are “forever honoring a community that welcomes, uplifts, and learns from differences” and  encouraging all to keep “passing the torch brighter than before.”

A special highlight of this year’s celebration was the presence of the Class of 1975, warmly greeted by Valerie Dowling ’07, which added to the atmosphere of reflection, connection, and pride.

We can create a community wherever we go, it does not end at the time you leave Converse.

The keynote speaker, Amy Cantrell, class of 1994 and Founder and Co-Director of Beloved Asheville, delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech. She reflected on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville and the strength of community that emerged in response. Sharing a lasting message from her time at Converse, Cantrell recalled her chaplain saying, “I have cursed you because you know what real community is and you will never be satisfied without it.” Her address focused on the idea that community is not bound by geography or time. She left the students with a lasting message of her own — that we can create a community wherever we go, it does not end at the time you leave Converse.

President Boone and Dr. Case presented two of the university’s highest honors. Dr. Allison Vick, Assistant Professor of Political Science, received the Kathryne Amelia Brown Award for excellence in teaching. Dr. Case remarked, “As another colleague described, this year’s winner exudes a passion for teaching, care for students and tireless service to the university that deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.”

Suzanne Colwin, class of 1971, was honored with the Dexter Edgar Converse Award – the university’s highest distinction. It is given to those whose leadership, generosity, and service bring honor to Converse and its extended community. President Boone stated, “Suzy’s strength as a leader and passion for serving others has not only impacted generations of Converse students but members of the community far and wide.”

After the ceremony, the celebration continued outdoors on the sunny and warm Johnson Plaza, where attendees enjoyed a traditional lunch featuring Dexter Converse’s favorite dessert – strawberries and cream.

The festive spirit extended into the evening with the Senior Sip and Alumni Reunion 2025, as laughter and conversation filled the air of campus. This year’s reunion attendees joined in on the Founder’s Day celebrations in addition to their other exciting activities. 

The Class of 1975 won the “It’s a Class Act” giving challenge.

A major highlight of the weekend was the induction of the Class of 1975 into the Golden Club, commemorating their 50th reunion. The newest Golden Club members were honored in a celebratory procession into Twichell Auditorium, joining Converse faculty, students, and fellow alumni for the Founder’s Day presentation. The Class of 1975 won the “It’s a Class Act” giving challenge and were celebrated at the All Class BBQ & DJ Dance Party. This was the first class to have the Red Devil as a mascot and they certainly brought that spirit to Reunion Weekend! 

Alumni found themselves back in their old classroom seats for “Let’s Get Back to Class.” Dr. Erin Templeton (English Literature), Dr. Wynton Stephens (Business) and Dr. Kelly Vaneman (Music History) gave attendees a chance to step back in time and enjoy a class only this time without homework and tests!

Other activities alumni enjoyed during Reunion Weekend included the iconic Class Parade and Class photos, the “Life After Converse” panel, presented by the Converse College for Women and the Center for Career Development, which gave alumni and current students the opportunity to hear from a panel of accomplished alums as they detailed their lives post-Converse. The panelists included Amy Downey ‘95, Grazier Connors Rhea ’74, Sureka Amerasinghe ’13, and Dr. Emili Pickenpaugh ’15.

This year also included the first ever Alumni Engagement Expo. From writing postcards to friends who couldn’t be at Reunion to taking a walk down memory lane with old yearbooks, the expo was another way to reconnect with Converse this weekend.

One of the most anticipated reunion events is recognizing the Alumni Achievement Award winners. These outstanding alumni demonstrate high levels of achievement and/or service in one or more of Converse’s Seven Core Values: Excellence, Integrity, Exploration, Diversity, Respect, Community, and Progress.

Congratulations to our 2025 winners:

• The 2025 Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient (Undergraduate) is Grazier Connors Rhea, ’74
• The 2025 Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award (Graduate) is Sureka Amerasinghe, MM, Lrsm, Ltcl, ’13
• The 2025 Recipient of the Community Service Award Recipient is Libby Long Richards ’15
• The 2025 Recipient of the Career Achievement in Music Award is Elizabeth Williams Taylor ’82
• The 2025 Recipient of the Mae Elizabeth Kilgo Spirit of Converse Award is Mary Gossett Dalton King ’75
• The 2025 Recipient of the Young Alumni Award is Emili Pickenpaugh ’15
• The 2025 Recipient of the Career Achievement Award is Amy Downey ’95
• The 2025 Recipient of the Converse 100 Award is Missy Craver Izard, ’75
• The 2025 Recipient of the Converse 100 Award is Lindsay Daniel, ’08
• The 2025 recipient of the Honorary Alumna/Alumnus Award is Janis Dengler
• The 2025 recipient of the 2025 Star Award is Brandi Nicole Icard ’04

As we look ahead, we are grateful for the vibrant alumni community that continues to support and shape the future of our university. Whether through time, talent, or treasure, every alum plays a vital role in carrying the Converse legacy forward.