Recently we celebrated Founder's Day. For Dillard, it is traditionally near the birthday of James Hardy Dillard (October 24th). So this is an important day of remembrance for the university. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Lawless Memorial Chapel, and before the main program we held a rededication program.
Since this year also marks the 80th anniversary of the theater program, we were pleased to welcome New Orleans native and Dillard alum Garrett Morris. Watching the students respond to him made me think that he was the perfect embodiment of this day. He was an original case member of Saturday Night Live, so their parents and grandparents would remember that. They have known him through reruns of Martin and The Jamie Foxx Show (which are during my time). So of course he entertained us for the afternoon.
And for me, this day is the beginning of the countdown toward graduation, the first time seniors get to wear regalia. It is always my hope that they start planning in earnest for their future, so this day puts them in that mindset.
The Prez
