Founders Week 2026
Celebrating the Anniversary of the Founding of ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½
Monday, March 23 – Saturday, March 28
ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ and Theological Seminary is an institution founded by women and was the first to educate women. Join us in celebrating our alumnae, students, and the generations to come.
Founders Week 2025 Recap
Founders Week was held on Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29 to celebrate the founding of ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ and Theological Seminary, honoring Benigna Von Zinzendorf and her stepmother, Anna Nitschmann, who helped establish ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½, the first school to educate women in the country.
Friday began with Morning Tea hosted by First Lady Lea Grigsby P’22, P’26, P’29 welcoming members of the Anna Nitschmann Society (ANS), Zinzendorf Family Fellows, and Golden Greyhound alumni (graduated 50+ years ago). Guests enjoyed a presentation by Charlene Donchez Mowers H’19 on Bethlehem’s journey to World Heritage Site status.
That evening, ANS members gathered at a reception in the Payne Gallery, hosted by President Bryon and Mrs. Grigsby ’90, P’22, P’26, P’29. Attendees viewed the Health and Humanities art exhibit, celebrating intersection of art, healing, and community through artworks by medical professionals and ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ students. Dinner featured a thoughtful discussion with Dr. Katherine Faull, a leading Anna Nitschmann scholar and expert in ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ studies and environmental humanities.
Saturday’s programming featured the second annual Founders Forum, highlighting the achievements of ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ women. The event included a networking breakfast, keynote by Sarabeth Brockley ’10, four breakout sessions, and a networking lunch, offering professional and personal development for students, alumnae, and supporters.
Photo Galleries
View our photo galleries from Founders Week 2025!
ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ the Founders Week Graphic
The Founders Week graphic represents select women who have helped shape our beloved ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ throughout the years. From left to right, the women pictured are:
Benigna Von Zinzendorf
Von Zinzendorf is the founder of the girl’s school in Germantown, PA on May 4, 1742. It moved to Bethlehem seven weeks later, relocated to Nazareth in 1745, then returned permanently to Bethlehem in 1749. There were 25 pupils at the school, and they were taught reading, writing, religion, and household arts. The girl's school, which is now ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½, was the first boarding school for girls in the 13 British American colonies.
Caroline Cameron Lockhart
Enrolled at ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ in 1888, Lockhart's diversified career included work as an investigative reporter, journalist, editor, newspaper owner, novelist, activist, historian, horsewoman, rancher, and homesteader. While at ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½, she was caught dangling out of a second-story window in a harness designed for a fire escape that she tried on as a dare!
A. Kathrine Miller ’34
Miller taught biology at ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ from 1936-1941 before receiving her Ph.D. in bacteriology from Cornell University. In the late 1940s, she developed the drug Caronomide, which led to the development of antibiotics and other drugs used in chemotherapy. The A. Kathrine Miller Super Lab on ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½'s campus was dedicated in her honor in 2015.
Jennifer Jimenez ’14
Jimenez is a lifelong learner. She completed her degree as a single mom working 50+ hours a week. Embracing the ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ community, Jiminez has continued to stay involved by volunteering for the Career Center, attending alumni events, being a part of the ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ Alumni and Parent Program, and serving as secretary of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have any questions regarding physical accessibility, please contact the Alumni Engagement Office at 610 861-1366 at least one week prior to this event.