The inauguration of Southwestern College President Liz Frombgen will highlight a busy Founders Day celebration at SC in Winfield Thursday through Saturday, April 20-22.
The inauguration ceremony will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, in Richardson Performing Arts Center, according to a press release from the college.
Frombgen is the 20th president in the history of the college.
Prior to coming to SC, Frombgen was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. Frombgen earned her Ph.D. and master of arts degree in political science from Purdue University and her bachelor of arts degree from Western Washington University.
She was on faculty at Hastings College from 2001 to 2012, serving as a professor and department chair before accepting the role of associate vice president for academic affairs, a position she held until 2017 when she accepted the position at Thiel.
Founders Weekend will also see four Southwestern College halls of fame open their doors to new inductees.
The celebration will include recognition of inductees entering the Leaders in Service Hall of Fame for the Social Sciences, as well as the Fine Arts, Business, and Educators Halls of Fame. All of the induction ceremonies are open to the public at no cost, but there is a cost for associated meals and seating is limited for those meals.
“We are grateful for the countless ways in which the 2023 class of hall of fame inductees represents Southwestern College,” Frombgen said. “They are true Builders who have been outstanding in their professional lives, but beyond that, they are wonderfully community-minded people; we look forward to celebrating each of them and their families in April.”
Hall of fame festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, with a dinner in Deets Library for those entering the Leaders in Service Hall of Fame for the Social Sciences. The induction ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $25, limited seating is available, and RSVP is necessary.
On Saturday, April 22, the Business Hall of Fame reception will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Christy lobby, followed immediately by the induction ceremony at 8:45 a.m., in Richardson Performing Arts Center; RSVP is appreciated.
At 10:15 a.m., a reception will be held for the inductees of the Fine Arts Hall of Fame in the Christy lobby followed by the induction ceremony at 10:30 a.m., in Richardson Performing Arts Center; RSVP is appreciated.
A luncheon will be held for the Educators Hall of Fame in Deets Library at noon, with the induction ceremony to begin at approximately 12:45 p.m. Dinner cost is $25, seating is limited, and RSVP is needed.
Other events include:
· Thursday, April 20— Honors Convocation, 4 p.m., in the Richardson Performing Arts Center.
· Friday, April 21— Special Lecture by Social Sciences at 2 p.m., in Richardson Performing Arts Center.
Individuals entering the various halls of fame include:
· Leaders in Service: Velma Grier ’53 (posthumous); David Nichols ’60 (posthumous); and Joseph Sherman ’72.
· Fine Arts: Roger Moon ’70 (posthumous) and Allyson (Stark) Moon ’76, William Christie ’74, and Tim Shook.
· Business: Daniel Sherron ’15/’17 and Naim Singleton ’13. Business Builder award will be presented to RobotZone.
· Educators: Tabatha (McMullen) Rosproy ’09, Barbara (Chapman) White ’80, and Brent Wolf ’03/’15.
Southwestern College hall of fame displays are located in Mossman Hall, Darbeth Fine Arts Center, Beech Science Center, Deets Library, and Stewart Field House, but may also be found online at www.sckans.edu/hof.
For more information about any of the events for Founders Day, contact Ashlee Mayo, director of alumni engagement, at (620) 229-6155.
About SC
Southwestern College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1885 by Methodists in south central Kansas.
Today its Winfield campus is the residential hub that guides students to lives of meaning and service, with well-rounded academic and extra-curricular offerings attracting traditional-aged students from throughout the nation and world. Southwestern College Professional Studies provides options for online students in any location and has been named a top provider for persons serving in the military.
The college continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
