Founder's Week | ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ

Home > Events > Signature events > Founder's week

Founder窶冱 Week

A robust week of activities blends the past, present, and the future with events designed to engage ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters. Events include the annual Founder窶冱 Day Convocation, cake-cutting, Reflections of Excellence, and the A Candle in the Dark Gala.

Schedule of Events inauguration Schedule

Celebrating ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ's History

窶廢t Facta Est Lux.窶� On February 14, 1867, rays of light emerged from intellectual darkness when ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ was founded as the Augusta Institute by the Rev. William Jefferson White.

ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ was founded as Augusta Institute on February 14, 1867 at Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta, GA by the Rev. William Jefferson White, with the Rev. Richard C. Coulter and the Rev. Edmund Turney. Since that time, ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ has become an iconic institution in higher learning, recognized globally for its impact in producing leaders who create systemic societal change.

the 38th Annual

"A Candle In The Dark" Gala

The 窶廣 Candle in the Dark窶� Gala is an exceptional evening of elegance and achievement celebrated annually in February during the College窶冱 Founder窶冱 Week observance.

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ will commemorate its 159th year of educating and developing extraordinary leaders. Held at the majestic Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, the VIP Reception commences at 6:00 p.m. with the Gala following at 7:30 p.m. We hope that you will join us!

February 10-15, 2026

Founder窶冱 Week Schedule

This year's Founder's Week events run from Tuesday, February 10 through Sunday, February 15, 2026. See details below and check back for updates to this section.

01252026 Pilgrimage to Augusta - Springfield Baptist Church

ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ Pilgrimage to Augusta

DATE: Sun, Jan. 25 @ 11:00 AM
PLACE: Augusta, GA

**Postponed due to inclement weather.

For the first time since its sesquicentennial anniversary visit in 2017, ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ will return to Springfield ...

OUR HOUSE: A Celebration of Faculty Achievement

DATE: Tues., Feb 10 @ 4:30 PM
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC)

Inauguration & Founder's Day Convocation

DATE: Thurs., Feb 12 @ 10:30 AM
PLACE: Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel

Theme: Building Principled Leaders: Steadfast, Honest, True

Post-Inauguration Reception & Cake Cutting Ceremony

DATE: Thurs., Feb 12 @ 1:00pm
PLACE: Forbes Arena

Inaugural Symposium

DATE: Friday Feb. 13 at 2:00 PM
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC)

Theme: Building Principled Leaders: Steadfast, Honest, True

Reflections of Excellence

DATE: Sat., Feb. 14 @ 11:00 AM
PLACE: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (RAYPAC

The Reflections of Excellence program brings together trailblazers receiving Benjamin Elijah Mays 窶廝ennie窶� Awards and Candle Awards in 2026 for their achievements as leaders in their fields.

ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ vs. Clark-Atlanta Basketball Game

DATE: Sat., Feb. 14 @ 2:00 PM
PLACE: Forbes Arena

Join us for the ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ vs. Clark-Atlanta University Basketball Game.

Tickets will be available in January 2026 at

38th Annual 窶廣 Candle in the Dark窶� Gala & Inaugural Ball

Reception: 6:00 PM
Awards Dinner: 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Downtown

The 窶廣 Candle in the Dark窶� Gala has become one of the nation窶冱 premier events to celebrate African American achievement and raise much-needed scholarship funds for deserving students.

Founder窶冱 Day Worship Service

DATE: Sun., Feb. 15 @ 11:00 AM
SPEAKER: Luke A. Powery, Dean of Chapel at Duke University

Founder窶冱 Week concludes with a celebration of the Gospel.

activities-and-clubs_glee-club-need-from-raftermen

ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ Glee Club Founder窶冱 Day and Inaugural Concert

DATE: Sun., Feb 15 @ 4:00 PM
PLACE: Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel.

Additional Information

Become a Sponsor

Become a sponsor for the Candle in the Dark gala and inaugural ball.

Get Official ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ Merch

Purchase merch from the ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ bookstore online or in person.

Hotel Accommodations

Hyatt Regency Atlanta has been the longtime partner and supporter of ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ窶冱窶連 Candle in the Dark窶� Gala. Click the link below for the special Candle Weekend rate.