A History of Founder's Day
2007 Photos
At the annual Ivan Allen College Founder's Day observance on March 15, Charles and Lessie Smithgall received the 2007 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service. Besides giving the anonymous gift that led to the naming of the College for Mayor Allen almost 20 years ago, the Smithgalls also were recognized for their many and various gifts to institutions and organizations throughout Georgia, totaling over $20 million in money and property.
"This is overwhelming," said Lessie Smithgall, who will turn 95 on April 1. "I just can't believe this is happening and I know Charlie would feel the same thing." Charles Smithgall died in 2002.
Presenting the awards were Sue V. Rosser, Dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, and Georgia Tech President Wayne Clough. Following the award presentations, Dr. Carol A. Couch, director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, provided the keynote address entitled “The Challenges of Georgia's Changing Landscape”.
2006 Photos
Jesse Hill Jr. was the 2006 recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service, which was awarded at the Ivan Allen College Founder's Day Luncheon on March 15, 2006. The morning session brought in children from Centennial Park Elementary School and the winners and finalists of the Ivan Allen Jr. Civic Responsibility Junior and Senior Essay contest. During the luncheon, awards were presented to the Ivan Allen Jr. Legacy Award winners. The afternoon panel discussions were "What are the key changes in Atlanta since the 1960s?" and "What are the key strategies for civic leadership today?" followed by a reception.
2005 Photos
Will Wright was the 2005 recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service, which was awarded at the Ivan Allen College Founder’s Day Luncheon on
March 15, 2005.
After the award presentation, Wright gave a keynote address. The program took place at The Biltmore in the Georgian Ballroom on West Peachtree near Technology Square.
Wright reflected the robust digital media program in the College's School of Literature, Communication and Culture (LCC). The School offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees in digital media, plus continuing education certificates in Web design. The LCC faculty collaborates extensively with faculty in the College of Computing and the interdisciplinary Graphics, Visualization and Usability (GVU) Center.
2004 Photos
Senator Sam Nunn was the 2004 recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service, which was awarded at the Ivan Allen College Founder’s Day Luncheon on March 22, 2004. The School of International Affairs was named after Senator Nunn upon his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1996. Founder’s Day events this year were held on March 23 in conjunction with the Sam Nunn Policy Forum, which the Senator initiated eight years ago to examine the ongoing threat posed by weapons of mass destruction. This year’s Forum focused on the topic of bio-terrorism.
2003 Photos
IAC Founder's Day in 2003 coincided with Georgia Tech's celebration of "Fifty Years of Women at Tech" which provided the theme for this occasion. As recipient of the 2003 Ivan Allen Jr. prize, syndicated columnist Molly Ivins gave the keynote speech at the luncheon--by this point an IAC tradition.
2002 Photos
IAC Founder's Day in 2002, coming as it did in the heels of 9.11, was organized around the theme of "An Open Society in an Age of Terrorism." As recipient of the second Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service, President Jimmy Carter delivered a moving speech at a luncheon banquet in his honor on March 22.
2001 Photos
IAC Founder's Day inaugural celebrations in 2001 coincided with the college's 10th anniversay. The dinner in the Egyptian Room at the Fox Theatre was a huge success with many of the friends, faculty, students and staff of Ivan Allen College in attendance at this gala. Senator Zell Miller was the first recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for progress and Service.
