Founders Day is one of American University’s most enduring traditions. It was first celebrated on February 21, 1931 with a banquet and pageant sponsored by the Women’s Guild of the University. There were over 200 guests and $5,000 was raised for the Guild’s scholarship fund. For AU’s golden jubilee in 1943, AU Professor Merritt Claire Batchelder wrote The Founders: An Historical Pageant which was performed on Founders Day. Over the years, the event has grown to a week-long series of activities including dinners, convocations, and musical and sporting events. AU’s eighth President, Hurst Anderson, was inaugurated on Founders Day in 1953 and major celebrations were held as part of AU’s 75^th anniversary (1968) and Centennial (1993).

AU President Hurst Anderson and actor portraying AU Founder, Bishop John F. Hurst, passing by Hurst Hall during 75th anniversary celebrations (1968)

AU students painted the fence around the construction site for the Ward Circle Building as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations.

The Founders Day Ball which is organized by the Student Government in conjunction with the Residence Hall Association and the Graduate Leadership Council is one of the signature events of modern Founders Day. This year’s ball will be held on February 21^st at the National Air and Space Museum which continues the recent trend of holding the ball in prominent city locations.

American University fielded its first integrated basketball team in the 1956-57 season and went on to become the NCAA Eastern Champs in 1958 despite challenging playing conditions. Coach Dave Carrasco recruited several local players including Willie Jones and Dickie Wells who excelled both on and off the court to make their coach’s dream to develop a racially integrated basketball program at American University a reality.

Men’s Basketball team 1957-58

Did you know that before Bender Arena opened in 1988, AU played its home games in various locations including the Fort Myer, VA gymnasium?

Fort Myer

The first Turtle International was held on February 28, 1964. Water turtles six inches long and under competed in a 35 foot “dash” on a plywood ramp leading from the stage in Clendenen. 51 entries competed in two heats. A variety of private and state schools as well as Oxford University sent turtles. “Tuffy” from Tufts was the winner. AU’s “General Ike” was eliminated in the heats. The race raised $440 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

AU’s “Goy” won the second Turtle International in 1965 beating out the Vassar and Simmons turtles. When the race was moved to May in 1966, AU won for a second year in a row with “Tricky Dick.” AU raised $1500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1968 when Western Washington State College won the race over a huge field (80 entrants).

After skipping a year, the race resumed in 1970 and ran annually through 1973. Over the years the ramp was lengthened to 50 feet and the number of turtles in each heat was reduced. Humorist Art Buchwald served as Master of Ceremonies for the race in the 1970s.  The image below is from the 1970s.

Five Feet

In February 1958, AU cancelled classes for two days while facilities staff cleared five foot snow drifts. Other significant storms occurred in February of 1983 as well as in February 2010 (aka Snowmageddon).

What will February 2015 bring?

In honor of Veterans Day, here are few facts about veterans on campus from AU’s student newspaper:

• The Veterans’ Administration contracted with AU to train Regional Service Officers for duty throughout the country. A twenty week academic program at AU was followed by 18 month internship with the VA. AU admitted a new group every ten weeks. The program was co-educational and was specifically for disabled veterans. As there was no available dormitory space on campus, the men lived at the YMCA. The first class graduated on March 12, 1945. The 22 members of the graduating class attended a reception at the White House hosted by Eleanor Roosevelt.
• To accommodate the growing number of veterans attending AU, the Federal Government built barracks style and Quonset hut dorms. Once built the buildings were transferred to AU. Two room apartments for married veterans opened in the summer of 1946. On the map below from 1948, you will find two locations designated as veteran’s apartments.
• In the fall of 1949, AU’s School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs set a new enrollment record. The boost was credited to an increase in the number of veterans registering for classes. G.I. students represented 55% of SSPA’s student body.

Aquiana, American University’s synchronized swimming and water ballet group was officially organized in 1950 and its final show was in 1959.  It was under the direction of AU’s swimming coach, Robert Frailey.  The coed group did an annual spring show with titles such as Waruna of Bali (1950-52), Fiesta del Aqua (1953-1954), Aquatic Fantasy and Wild West Show. Starting in 1952, Ed Walker from the campus radio station created a recorded soundtrack which was played using underwater speakers. The group was filmed on three occasions and was featured on the Dave Garroway Show twice.