Announcements
Mar 6, 2026
Wiley University will celebrate its 153rd Founders Observance March 19–21, 2026, marking not only 153 years of historic impact, but also a transformative season of growth for the institution.
Under the theme “Future Forward. Focused.”, this year’s observance highlights Wiley University’s momentum across the institution. With a generous match gift of $173,000 launched by the oldest known living alum, Blanche Ingram ’45 (100 years young), the University is trending toward its $400,000 Founders Observance giving goal, which is part of the UNCF $5M Endowment Match Campaign.
The three-day Founders Observance will feature alumni gatherings, recognition ceremonies, and signature events, beginning with the Founders Observance Convocation on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel.
This year’s featured guest speaker is Dr. Crystal A. deGregory, a renowned historian, storyteller, and nationally recognized scholar whose work centers Black higher education and the enduring power of HBCUs. Her message will underscore the importance of institutional memory, intellectual tradition, and the responsibility to build boldly for the next generation.
Immediately following Convocation, the Founders Giving Celebration Luncheon will recognize members of the University’s Giving Societies and honor the 1976 Championship Baseball Team, the first team to win the championship in the newly desegregated league—marking a historic moment of athletic excellence and perseverance in the University’s storied legacy.
Additional weekend events include the Purple & White Picnic, the Purple & White Affair Mixer, and the annual alumni business meetings.
Among the newest campus developments being celebrated this year is the dedication of the Henry Cecil McBay Center for Teaching and Learning, a transformative investment in academic excellence designed to enhance faculty development, instructional innovation, and student achievement.
Dr. Henry Cecil McBay ’34 graduated from Wiley University with a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, and second in his class. He was often referred to as the “godfather of African American chemistry,” acknowledging how his mentorship produced a significant share of Black chemists in the United States during the mid-20th century.
As Wiley University continues to reach institutionally significant milestones, alumni, friends, and partners are invited to return to campus and reconnect. For the full schedule of events, ticket information, and ways to give, visit:
https://www.wileyc.edu/founders-observance-2026
For more information about Wiley University, please contact Catherine G. Sellers, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications, and Brand Management, at communications@wileyc.edu.
