In 1903, Josephus Hopwood bought the property that would eventually become the University of Lynchburg after convincing five of his associates to donate $100 each.
The University’s Founders Week — held this year from Monday, April 14, through Saturday, April 19 — celebrates the legacy of giving that the Hopwoods originated.
The central event of Founders Week is GiveDay, which will take place on Thursday, April 17. Throughout GiveDay, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and parents are encouraged to make donations to the University, with the goal being 1,000 donors.
Gifts can be made online, over the phone, or in person.
GiveDay events also will include Donuts for Dollars (9-11 a.m.); Pie in the Face, where you can pie a University employee in the face if you can show a GiveDay sticker (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.); a cookout and cash bar on the Dell and Hundley Highway(4:30-7 p.m.); and GiveDay Live (9 a.m.-5 p.m.).
GiveDay Live is a live broadcast event featuring guest speakers. Alumni are invited to attend all events.
During the GiveDay Live signoff at 5 p.m., event attendees will sing happy birthday to the University. GiveDay Live also will be streamed on the University’s Facebook page.
Most Founders Week events are for University students only, but some are open to the public, including the Student Scholar Showcase, a daylong, campuswide presentation of senior capstone projects.
Seniors will present their research in oral, poster, and creative formats. Presentations come from all disciplines. Topics range from the effects of consuming true crime media to marketing Formula 1 for an American audience. Student Scholar Showcase starts at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, and ends at 4 p.m.
Other public events include baseball, softball, and lacrosse games held throughout the week. There will be two games on Wednesday, April 16, starting at 3:30 p.m. when the baseball team plays Christopher Newport University on Fox Field.
Women’s lacrosse plays Roanoke College at 7 p.m. on Shellenberger Field. It’s a “Code Red” game, meaning the entire campus is encouraged to show up wearing Hornet red to support the team.
The final day of Founders Week, Saturday, April 19, will feature two doubleheaders:
- Baseball vs. Bridgewater — Fox Field, noon.
- Softball vs. Christopher Newport — Moon Field, 1:30 p.m.
A complete schedule for Founders Week can be found here. For more information, contact Dawn Marfil, event coordinator, at [email protected].
