The 2011 Ivan Allen College Founder’s Day events begin a special year-long celebration of the concepts of social courage, social justice, civic vision, and compassionate leadership that are the legacy of Ivan Allen Jr., Mayor of Atlanta from 1962-1970. 

During the two-day event March 14-15, we mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Allen Jr., as well as the inaugural presentation of Georgia Tech’s new Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage to a visionary leader at the forefront of efforts to reduce the global threats from nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, former United States Senator Sam Nunn.  A series of events will continue throughout the year with another peak moment in 2012 commemorating the 50th anniversary of Allen's inauguration as mayor of the City of Atlanta.

This year-long celebration coincides with the beginning of the College’s third decade as stewards of the Allen legacy.  “Since its founding in 1990, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts has fulfilled that trust by engaging students, scholars, and the community through human-centered interdisciplinary teaching and research and through the awarding of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service from 2001-2010,” said Jacqueline J. Royster, Dean of the Ivan Allen College.  “With the awarding of the new Social Courage Prize this year, we herald a new era in our efforts to engage the citizens of Atlanta, our state and nation, and the global community in this legacy.”

The  Founder's Day celebration March 14-15 includes three special events: 

March 14, 8:30am - 4:30pm - The Allen Prize Symposium
March 15, 8:30am - 12:00pm – Cross-college Research Roundtable
March 15, 1:30pm – Address by the Honorable Sam Nunn, inaugural recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage

The Allen Prize Symposium on March 14 at the Global Learning Center brings to the Georgia Tech community an opportunity to consider the grand challenges facing our world, to illuminate the trends that are shaping our future, and to engage a cadre of leaders who are making measurable progress toward a vision of peace and security. The Symposium will offer strategic insights from some of the nation’s most influential and successful policy leaders and decision makers in government, international institutions, the private sector, and civil society. Among the distinguished participants are Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James G. Stavridis, the Honorable Senator Sam Nunn, the Honorable Henry A. Kissinger, the Honorable William J. Perry, the Honorable George P. Shultz, Mr. Bob Schieffer, Dr. Adam N. Stulberg, and Mr. William J. Todd.

The symposium will be webcast LIVE at http://dllive.gatech.edu/AllenPrizeSymposium/

On March 15, 8:30pm-12:00pm, the College hosts a Research Roundtable with Georgia Tech faculty. "Politics and Protest in the Middle East" will be presented by Dr. Lawrence Rubin, INTA. The “Water and Conflict” panel will be moderated by Ms. Sally Bethea of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Discussants are: Dr. Susan Cozzens, SPP; Dr. Aris Georgakakos, COE; Dr. Barbara Deutsch Lynch, INTA; and Dr. Bruce Stiftel, COA. "The Future of Media” panel will be moderated by Phil Sharpe from Turner Broadcasting. Discussants are Dr. Michael Best, INTA, COC; Dr. Ian Bogost, LCC; and Dr. Alexandra Mazalek, LCC, COC.

Georgia Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson will present the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage to Senator Nunn at an awards luncheon on the afternoon of the 15th.  Senator Nunn’s acceptance speech will begin at approximately 1:30 pm in the Georgian Ballroom at The Biltmore.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend these events.  RSVP is required.  Please visit www.foundersday.iac.gatech.edu for a detailed schedule, locations, and to RSVP.