President Nicole Hurd (center) stands with students and staff. She is holding ice cream and one student is dressed as Marquis de Lafayette.

Members of the campus community celebrated Founders’ Day on March 11.

Farinon College Center was bustling on March 11 as the on-campus community celebrated the College’s founding. Members of the Lafayette Student Alumni Council (LSAC) were available to hand out Lafayette-themed ice cream flavors from Owowcow, including “Marquis Marshmallow” and “The Gilbert on Top,” made possible by the President’s Office.  Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to participate in a history-themed scavenger hunt with a chance to win prizes. Participants also signed a commemorative “199 Years and Counting” banner and posed for photos. The highlight of the event was the reading of the original College charter by LSAC co-president Chris Taverner ’25 dressed as Marquis de Lafayette.

But the celebration wasn’t just confined to campus—across the country, Lafayette alumni gathered at 22 Wine and Dine 3/9 events to raise a toast to their alma mater, bridging past and present with stories of their time on College Hill.

The festivities honored a momentous occasion nearly two centuries in the making. On March 9, 1826, the citizens of Easton received a charter signed by Pennsylvania Gov. John Andrew Shulze establishing Lafayette College. In 2026, the College will celebrate its bicentennial, which will kick off during Fall Weekend, Sept. 26-28. 

Watch highlights from the event. 

View additional photos on Flickr.

Categorized in: Bicentennial, Featured News, News and Features

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