Converse Brings Alumni & Tradition Together at Founder’s Day & Reunion 2026
Written by Allison Reini
On Friday, April 24, 2026, the Converse University community of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of Converse gathered in Twichell Auditorium at the Zimmerli Performance Center to celebrate an annual tradition– Founder’s Day. The event is held each spring semester to bring our community together and honor the life and legacy of our Founder, Dexter Edgar Converse.
Founder’s Day 2026 was a meaningful celebration, mixing the energy of our current student body and the grounding presence of our alumni. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony featured a formal procession of the senior class and faculty. In collaboration with Reunion Weekend, the Golden Club (Class of 1976) also processed into Twichell sporting traditional regalia, Golden Club medals, and their bright Pink Panther accessories.
The program included a wonderful keynote address, the presentation of the Kathryn Amelia Brown Award, musical performances, greetings from the Vice President of the Student Government Association, Bella Moreno ‘26 (Nisbet Honors) and remarks from Alumni Association Board President, Valerie Dowling ‘07 (Nisbet Scholar), a speech from President Boone J. Hopkins, and the community singing Converse’s Alma Mater. The Katheryne Amelia Brown Award for excellence in teaching was proudly presented to Dr. Steven Graff, Associate Professor of Piano, as the crowd enthusiastically gave him a standing ovation with cheering and applause.
Keynote speaker Jody Cole ‘84
This year’s keynote speaker was entrepreneur, philanthropist, and global advocate Jody Cole ‘84. Cole’s life’s work has been guided by a deep commitment to service, human rights and conservation. She is the founder and owner of Wild Rainbow African Safaris, where for nearly three decades she has designed and led private, custom safari experiences across Africa, building a business rooted in connection, integrity, and transformative travel.
On Founder’s Day, Cole’s animated and passionate speech engaged the audience as she reminisced about her time as a student at Converse and spoke of inspiring moments that gave her clarity about her life decisions. Her presence and speech will be one Converse remembers for years to come. Reflecting on her time as a student at Converse, Cole remarked, “Sometimes things that don’t happen is life’s sneaky little way of guiding you along an unseen path. One that leads us toward what we’ve been seeking all along, even before we know it. For me (at Converse, I gained) connection and a voice.”
“For me (at Converse, I gained) connection and a voice.”
Jody Cole ‘84
She concluded with these inspiring words, “When you truly know who you are, the world knows how to meet you. You get to create your life. These moments are life asking you to remember who you are… Commit to your life, commit to your journey. Go live your life. Not the one you think you’re supposed to live, but the one you know you’re supposed to live… Life will meet you there. It always does.”
After the ceremony, the celebration continued outdoors on the sunny Johnson Plaza, where attendees enjoyed a traditional lunch of fried chicken, man ‘n cheese, cornbread, and Dexter Edgar Converse’s favorite dessert– strawberries and cream.
Converse Reunion 2026
The enthusiasm in the Converse community continued into Alumni Reunion events– registration on the Wilson Hall porch where long-time friends greeted each other, and “breakout sessions” like a “Life After Converse” panel, and “Let’s Get Back to Class”, an activity where alums were able to attend a real class held at Converse. Continuing in the afternoon was the Lobby Hop, where alumni enthusiastically toured various dorms and retold stories of their time living in the dorms.
The Class of 1996 received the Gift Award for the most dollars raised and the Participation Award for the most number of gifts.
That night, Alumni Reunion hosted the Hopkins Happy Hour and BBQ and Dance Party, where the Converse community ate delicious food, toasted with drinks together, and danced the night away. Two philanthropic awards were also presented Friday night– the “Class Act” giving award, which was presented to the Class of 1996, who were double winners. The Class of 1996 received the Gift Award for the most dollars raised and the Participation Award for the most number of gifts. In addition, a new award debuted this year, the Spirit of Giving Award, which was presented to the Class of 1959, who gave an impressive $102,756 back to Converse this year.
The next morning at Reunion Weekend 2026, alumni gathered outside of Phifer Science Hall for the Class Photos and Alumni Engagement Expo. There was also a complimentary coffee food truck, courtesy of SIPS etc., which was a big hit.
Alumni Achievement Awards
Alumni paraded right into the Barnet Room in Montgomery for a toast to the Golden Club, a State of the University Address presented by President Boone Hopkins, and Alumni Achievement Awards.
The following Converse alumni were honored with awards:
- Dr. Elizabeth Vaughn Sharpe ‘76 – Distinguished Undergraduate Alumni Award
- Dr. Angela Tuttle Prince ‘10 – Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award
- Wanda Moore McDowell ‘91 – Mae Elizabeth Kilgo Spirit of Converse Award
- Amy Warren Beaty ‘81 – Career Achievement Award
- Richard Troxell ‘88 – Career Achievement Award in Music
- Rebecca Roland Hyleman ‘99 – Community Service Award
- Nia Imani Mosby ‘15 – Young Alumni Award
- Leigh Ann Murdaugh ‘07 – STAR Award
- Nicole Johnsey Burke ‘01 – Converse 100 Award
- Dr. Andrea Ezell Elliott ‘03 – Converse 100 Award
- May Dowling Peach ‘76 – Converse 100 Award
- Dr. Melissa A. Walker – Honorary Alumni Award
The weekend wrapped up with an afternoon filled with breakout groups: the First Gen & Legacy Alumni Celebration, Mosaic: Black Alumni Celebration, Lavender Tea: LGBTQ+, Voces de Mañana, Asian Pacific Islander Celebration, as well as several alumni athletic games– a women’s soccer and women’s volleyball game, an inaugural men’s alumni soccer game, and lastly, an alumni recital in Daniel Recital Hall.
The continued support of Converse alumni plays a meaningful role in shaping the future of the university. Through engagement, generosity, and dedication, alumni help preserve the Converse legacy while creating new opportunities for future generations, now and forever.