What is Founders’ Day you might ask? According to Le Moyne, it is “the most prestigious event held at the college and both commemorates and celebrates the establishment of Le Moyne College.” It also presents the Simon Le Moyne Award to a lucky recipient for their outstanding leadership in the community. Add spectacular food selections [maple-infused mashed sweet potatoes,], a rockin’ band [Todd Hobin and the Jazzuits], and lively conversation throughout the whole room.  

For one night, the athletic center is transformed into a swanky “ballroom” filled with tables, food stations, a dance floor, stage, and bar. Elaborate floral arrangements graced every table and the lights morphed into children prancing across the backdrop.

This year’s theme was celebrating children, which was highlighted in several ways: a young student from the Cathedral Academy at Pompei introduced President Linda LeMura before her closing speech, and the recipient of the Simon Le Moyne Award Dr. Robert Dracker is the founder and medical director of Summerwood Pediatrics and Infusacare Medical Services, and chief of pediatrics at University Hospital at Community General in Syracuse. As Dracker accepted the award, he made sure to let those in attendance know the night was not about him, but the children. Dracker gave a meaningful speech on what it means to be a doctor and what drives people to enter the medical field. He holds a special place within the Syracuse community and has lent his time to the Physician’s Assistants program here at Le Moyne. Dracker received a standing ovation.

The night also included recognizing several key sponsors throughout the night. The Platinum sponsor was Sodexo food services who donated $25,000,  the Gold sponsor was KeyBank who donated $10,000, and Silver sponsors who donated $5,000 included: Ashley McGraw Architects, Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, CADimensions, Inc., Dermody, Burke and Brown, CPAs, LLC, Le Moyne College Board of Trustees, McNeil & Company, Inc., Oliva Companies, Pioneer Companies, and Walter Benson ’78 & Katherine Cogswell ’85.

Founder’s Day is about appreciating the people who help make Le Moyne the coveted Jesuit institution it is today,  celebrating the future ahead, and the lives it impacts everyday.