LCU celebrates 119th Founders’ Day

November 5, 2025

Four Louisiana Christian University faculty members were recognized during Tuesday’s Founders’ Day Chapel for outstanding service to the university with the presentation of endowed professorships and chair positions.

Dr. Henry Robertson, vice president of Academic Affairs, introduced the awarded faculty.

The endowments come with a salary stipend and a medallion.

  • Dr. Amelia Davis, Coughlin-Saunders Foundation Chair in Nursing
  • Dr. David Elliott, J.E. Hixon Professorship
  • Dr. Sarah Payne, George F. Kirby Professorship in Chemistry
  • Michael Williams, Eugenia Dawson Professorship in Art

Founders’ Day is an annual celebration of the college’s founding on Oct. 3, 1906.

“Our founders believed in Christian education, and they held a conviction that we hold today, said LCU President Dr. Mark Johnson. “We get an opportunity to celebrate and connect you to a legacy that you may not know about.”

Johnson remarked on how the faithfulness of God has sustained the university through every storm.

Two alumni who are now faculty members delivered inspiring comments to students.

Maggie Bridges, associate professor of social work, told the students that LC wasn’t her initial plan for college, but she is glad for the Lord’s graciousness and taking the driver’s seat in her life.

“At LC, I was surrounded by people who knew me, cared about me and surrounded me with prayer,” Bridges said. “My time here was foundational for me. Time passed fast. Don’t take it for granted.”

Both Bridges and Wade Warren, the longest-serving faculty member and professor of biology, expressed gratitude to the founders of the school.

“So much of my life is tied up in this place,” said Warren, who has been on faculty since 1996.

Warren was a student at LC in 1986, when he met his wife Christy, who is now an LCU education professor. Both their daughters attended LC, and both also met their husbands as students at LC. In fact, Michael Williams, recognized with an endowed professorship at Tuesday’s Founders’ Day, is Warren’s son-in-law.

“Words just don’t do it,” Warren said, “when I say I am thankful for the founding of this place.”

 

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Media Release     |    Nov. 5, 2025     |     Pineville, Louisiana
Contact: Dr. Elizabeth B. Clarke, Director of University Communications | Elizabeth.clarke@lcuniversity.edu