TRADITIONS & SYMBOLS
College Motto
The College Motto, embedded on the Spelman Seal, is “Our Whole School for Christ.” It serves as a
testament to the faith of the Founders. Though Spelman was founded in a basement of a Baptist church,
there are no formal ties to any denomination and has always been open to women from all religious
affiliations. Inside the original Spelman Seal is the Star of Service. The Star itself represents the original six
departments of instruction offered at Spelman College: College, Teacher Training, Nurse Training, Music,
Academy, and High School.
Rockefeller Hall
The oldest building on campus is Rockefeller Hall, completed in 1886. Sisters Chapel built in 1927, is named
in honor of Laura Spelman Rockefeller and her sister, Lucy Maria Spelman. The Grover-Werden Memorial
Fountain was dedicated on May 31, 1927, and is located in the center of the campus oval. It was built to
provide ice-cold water, since it was not available elsewhere on campus on hot summer days. It now
represents a fountain of knowledge and a fountain of Life Eternal.
Founders Day
The college was founded on April 11, 1881. In recognition of the founding of the College, Founders
Day is celebrated each year in April. A major highlight of our Founders Day celebration is the
Founders Day Convocation, which is preceded by the pageantry of an academic procession in which
members of the senior class wear their academic regalia for the first time, and first-year students
wear white dresses as part of the procession.
Class Day
Class Day is a tradition in which the senior class comes together to reflect on their years at Spelman.
Following Class Day, the senior class proceeds to march through the Alumnae Arch. The Alumnae
Arch is located within the campus oval, near the walk between Rockefeller Hall and Reynolds
Cottage. Seniors take part in a ceremony symbolic of their leaving the College and going into greater
service by following alumnae through the Arch. Alumnae and seniors wear white dresses to celebrate
this occasion.
The Spelman Bench
The Spelman Bench was donated by the Class of 1941. This bench, only to be used by seniors, was
made from two beams from an old barn that was used to house the Founders. This barn is important
because it was the last remaining building connected with the early days of Spelman. The current
bench, made from pews from Sisters Chapel, is placed near the Alumnae Arch each April and
remains until after Commencement.
Class Tree
The Class of 1888 dedicated the Class Tree. It is the magnolia tree located between Rockefeller and
Packard Halls. Sophia Packard planted the original tree. The Class of 1901 dedicated the College
Class Tree. It is the water oak tree between Reynolds Cottage and Sisters Chapel.
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