New England College Celebrates Founders' Day January 26

The New England College community will celebrate Founders’ Day 2010 on Tuesday, January 26 at 11:30 a.m. in the Field House. The keynote speaker is Harriet Sanford, a graduate of the NEC Class of 1974 and the President and CEO of the NEA Foundation. Ms. Sanford will receive the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Harriet Sanford has dedicated her career to advancing the arts, education, and international cultural understanding, and has served as the senior executive of non-profit organizations, held positions on numerous boards of directors, and is nationally recognized for her charitable fundraising. As President and CEO of the NEA Foundation, Ms. Sanford leads a national effort to support education, educators, and students. In particular, the Foundation seeks opportunities to invest in education reform that advances student achievement by closing the gaps and preparing every student to learn and thrive in a rapidly changing world. “Harriet Sanford’s career is an extraordinary example of leadership and one person’s ability to bring the arts and education to a national and international agenda,” said Dr. Michele Perkins, President of New England College. “Her efforts to make education accessible to all and to ensure that all students reach their potential resonates with the mission of New England College and will have a lasting effect on the education landscape for generations to come.”

The celebration of Founders’ Day at New England College was instituted to honor the vision and leadership of the founding faculty, administration, and students of the College. Founded in 1946 to serve the educational needs of the country’s military men and women returning from World War II, New England College sought to expand the horizons of a new generation of students. Today, the College offers 31 undergraduate programs and 12 graduate and professional programs. Founders’ Day represents one of the three major academic events of the year that also includes Commencement in May and Convocation in September. The ceremony is designed to acknowledge the many accomplishments of the College, its students, faculty, and staff over the past year.