Founder's Day, 1899-

Biographical Information:

San Diego State University's Founder's Day was an annual event that took place the first day in May. Founder's Day originated as Dedication Day, a celebration commemorating the anniversary of the dedication of the original Normal School building in 1899. Dedication Day was renamed Founder's Day in the 1930s under Walter Hepner's presidency. Founder's Day festivities included an Open House where faculty members would hold meet and greet sessions for students and their families, as well as activities, exhibits and programs sponsored by individual departments.

Dedication of school monuments and landmarks also took place on Founder's Day. In 1937, a statue of an Aztec carved by prominent local sculptor Donal Hord was dedicated on Founder's Day as the new school symbol. In 1941, the Greek, or Open Air Theatre was dedicated. In 1971, the Director of Libraries, Louis A. Kenney, presided over the dedication of the Malcolm A. Love Library and unveiled a portrait of Love by Professor Emeritus Everett Gee Jackson.