The College will celebrate its 102nd birthday on Friday, April 5, with Founders Day celebrations tied to
another important date in the College’s history: the 25th anniversary of Emeritus Professor of English
William Meredith’s Pulitzer Prize.
Members of the College community and guests are invited to partake in several events on campus that
begin after the ceremonial ringing of the Harkness Chapel bell at 2:15 p.m. They include:
Celebration of William Meredith Pulitzer Prize
The late William Meredith was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry on April 5, 1988, for “Partial
Accounts: New and Selected Poems.” He taught English at the College for nearly 30 years and was
honored with an endowed professorship in his name. Celebrate the anniversary of his award and the
intellectual life of the College with talks, poetry readings and more.
2:30-3:30 p.m., Charles Chu Asian Art Reading Room, Charles E. Shain Library
Founders Day Tea/Birthday Party
It’s not a birthday without a party and the College will celebrate 102 with a tea party, which harkens
back to the College's early years when each residential house had its own unique tea set and students
gathered with faculty and staff for weekly discussions over tea and cookies. At this Founders Day
celebration, Emeriti Faculty are special guests and highlights include refreshments, the founding story
and a special performance of the College’s Centennial Song. Don’t miss this special event!
3:30-4:30 p.m., Charles E. Shain Library
onStage at Connecticut College presents Alfredo Rodriguez Trio
A young pianist of astonishing virtuosity and imagination, Cuban-born Alfredo Rodríguez calls up images
of legendary jazz pianists like Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Bill Evans and his compatriot
Chucho Valdés. Schooled in the rigorous classical conservatories of Havana, Rodríguez’s riveting artistry
is informed as much by Bach and Stravinsky as by his Cuban and jazz roots. Producer Quincy Jones called
Rodriguez “one of the best young pianists I’ve ever seen.”
8 p.m., Evans Hall, Cummings Art Center. For tickets, call 860-439-2787.