Weeklong Commemoration Honoring Legacy, Scholarship and Excellence
AAMU to Mark 151st Founder’s Week with Convocation, Panel on Councill’s Legacy
Alabama A&M University will celebrate its 151st Founder’s Week April 27 through May 3 with events honoring founder William Hooper Councill and the institution’s enduring impact. The centerpiece Founder’s Day Convocation on May 1 will feature a panel discussion, “The Legacy of William Hooper Councill: From Vision to Reality,” moderated by President Daniel K. Wims and examining the legal, historical and policy forces shaping the University today. The weeklong observance highlights AAMU’s rich heritage while reaffirming its commitment to excellence, access and empowerment for future generations.
Monday, April 27
Maroon & White Market & AAMU Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony
12:30 p.m. | Knight Center Courtyard
Sponsored by Student Activities, Office of Alumni Affairs and Pre-Alumni Association
Oratorical Contest
6 p.m. | Bradford Auditorium
Students showcase public speaking and artistic talents in collaboration with the Honors Program
Thursday, April 30
Alumni Impact Day (Partnering with Student Pantry)
Sponsored by Alumni Association
All day | Alumni House drop-off
Wind Ensemble Founder’s Day Concert
7 p.m. | Fellowship of Faith
Friday, May 1
Founder’s Day Convocation & Wreath-Laying Ceremony
10:30 a.m. | Bradford Auditorium
Free to the public
Panel Discussion: “The Legacy of William Hooper Councill: From Vision to Reality”
Moderated by President Daniel K. Wims
Panelists: Adam Harris, Eddie Davis and Donald Calloway, Jr.
Award-winning journalist, author and alumnus Adam Harris brings national perspective on higher education and equity through his work at The Atlantic and his writing on inequality in American colleges. His reporting and storytelling provide critical context on how historical inequities continue to shape today’s higher education landscape, offering a compelling lens for the discussion.
Eddie E. Davis Jr. offers insight grounded in environmental science, historical research and more than two decades of service as a soil scientist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. As an AAMU alumnus and scholar of Councill’s legacy, he connects the University’s past to present-day stewardship and preservation of its history.
Alumnus Don Calloway Jr. contributes expertise in public policy, advocacy and civic leadership shaped by his experience in state government and national media. His work at the intersection of politics and public engagement adds perspective on how policy decisions influence institutions like Alabama A&M. Together, the panelists will explore how Councill’s vision continues to shape the University’s trajectory and relevance in higher education.
Founder’s Day Luncheon
Immediately following convocation | Ernest Knight Center
$60 per person | Purchase Your Ticket
Alumni All White Party
Sponsored by Alumni Association
6–11 p.m. | Huntsville Country Club
$50 per person | Purchase Your Ticket
Saturday, May 2
Dr. William Hooper Councill Footprint Tour
Bus loading at Wellness Center | Time TBD
$25 per person | Purchase Your Ticket
Follow the legacy of Dr. William Hooper Councill on an immersive tour from campus to downtown Huntsville, highlighting the sites that shaped his life and impact. Participants will explore the landmarks and rich history that define Alabama A&M University’s enduring legacy.
AAMU Alumni Association Awards Luncheon
Sponsored by Alumni Association
11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Ernest Knight Reception Center
Sunday, May 3
Worship Service & Memorial Walk
10 a.m. | St. John AME Church, Huntsville
Memorial Walk immediately following service at the original site of campus
Alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to gather in tribute to more than 150 years of Alabama A&M University’s enduring legacy—honoring the vision of founder William Hooper Councill while celebrating a proud heritage and advancing a bold and promising future.