History
Girard College was named after this wealthy Philadelphian who left a vast majority of his money to the City of Philadelphia to create the school
Who is Stephen Girard?
This building is the most recognizable building and previously used as classroom spaces on the Girard College Campus. It was also designated a National Historic Landmark in 1969
What is Founder's Hall?
This GC's songs original lyrics urged to "acclaim [the School's] manhood, noble fair, and strong" but when the school went co-ed the line was changed to "our Alma Mater, noble fair, and strong"
What is Hail Girard?
Russell Johnson '42 was an actor best remembered for playing this role on "Gilligan's Island"
Who is The Professor?
This long-serving staff member, God love him, started as a houseparent in 1975, became a gym teacher and eventually athletic director, then later a social studies teacher, and after retiring in 2019, even served a stint as director of the GCAA.
Who is Bill Gallagher?
Girard College officially opened on this holiday in 1848, although there's no indications that they made resolutions
What is January 1?
This trapezoidal building was built in 1931-1933 at the height of the Great Depression
What is The Chapel?
A newer musical tradition is the annual performance of the Roger Emerson piece at the Winter Concert; the students call us to "see our talents far and wide" and "build a sense of hope and pride"
What is the Kwanza Celebration?
This former student, who attended 2000-2010, led the Chicago Sky to their first WNBA Championship in 2021 and was named WNBA Finals MVP.
Who is Kahleah Copper?
This former social studies teacher and track coach taught at Girard College from 1988 until his untimely death in 2014 and posted his mantra “don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal” in all his classrooms.
Who is Rick Leek?
This was the month and year that Girard College opened it's doors to nonwhite children to attend
What is September of 1968?
This building, completed in 1924, was designed by architect John T. Windrim and built by the firm of Irwin and Leighton. John T. Windrim inherited the Girard architect mantle from his alumnus father, James H. Windrim GC1856,
What is The Armory?
This song traditionally sung at Graduation and often at Alumni funerals begins "1600 looking on, we are in the van"
What is the Farewell Song?
This New York Times critic at large has won two Pulitzers (most recently in 2021) and is a member of the Class of 1993
Who is Wesley Morris?
This staff member who came to Girard in 1995 and left in 2021 wore many hats in her tenure, including Vice Principal of the High School, Residential Dean, and Dean of Counseling, but was also well known as one of the masterminds of the annual prom planning.
Who is Kym Clark?
This was the year that Girard College went co-ed after 2 years of legal battles to admit female students
What is 1984?
This is name of the current elementary/middle school named after one of Stephen Girard's ships
What is Good Friends?
Stephen Girard was born in 1750 on May 20, a day now annually celebrated as this GC Holiday
What is Founder's Day?
This rapper, a 1988 graduate is best known for his 1997 single "The Theme (It's Party Time)", which was on the Billboard Top 100 for 37 weeks
Who is Tracey Lee?
This current boys RA came to Girard in 1985 and is still on the job. He previously worked at the PA School for the Deaf and first saw Girard when the PSD street hockey team came to the Armory to play GC (and lost).
Who is Dan Garrett?
In 1974, this student was the first African American graduate of Girard College
Who is Charles Hicks?
The two dorm buildings for boys that sit to the west side of Founder's Hall
What are Mariner and Merchant Hall?
This 6829 - Pipe Girard Chapel Organ was designed by this master organ builder
Who is Ernest Skinner?
This architect (GC 1856), left his mark on Philadelphia, designing such buildings as the Academy of Natural Sciences, The Masonic Temple, Smith Playhouse, and the Civil War Memorial Arch in Fairmount Park (which includes his bust)
Who is James Windrim?
This former houseparent, photographer, and technology specialist, who retired in 2022 after 41 years at Girard, invited the students in his section to his wedding (to another GC staff member), and then had to spend time after the ceremony hunting down a student who had wandered away from the venue.
Who is Keith Steininger?