Founding Day
Initial planning for the founding of Emory & Henry began in October 1835, when members of the Holston Conference of the Methodist Church voted to establish a college in the region. By January 1, 1836, the site had been selected, and the cornerstone for the first building was laid September 30, 1836, at a founding celebration. Classes began in the spring of 1838.
Four area individuals are credited with raising funds and choosing the site for the College: Tobias Smyth, a local farmer and enthusiastic Methodist lay person; the Reverend Creed Fulton, a circuit-riding Methodist minister from Grayson County, Virginia; Colonel William Byars, a distinguished Presbyterian lay person from Glade Spring, Virginia; and Alexander Findlay, a successful business entrepreneur from Abingdon, Virginia.
Watch the 2024 Founding Day Livestream on YouTube
Citation Recipients
Each year the College recognizes individuals with a service citation as a part of Founders Day observance.
A complete listing of past citation recipients is available here.
Distinctive Alumni Awards
The College also recognizes several alumni awards as a part of Founders Day observance as well.