Giving Day highlights senior success, supporting next generation

Posted on Friday, April 17, 2026

Tuesday, April 21, marks LC Giving Day at LaGrange College—a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026 while investing in the success of the students who will come after them.

“Giving Day is a time to celebrate the graduating class while also helping secure the futures of the students following in their footsteps,” said Andy Geeter, LC Director of Philanthropy. “This year, we also have an incredibly generous matching gift thanks to Trustee and alumnus Michael T. Fay, Class of 1986, who has pledged to match up to $20,000 in donations.”

For senior Curt Bonner, the recent ringing of the Chapel Bell marked a defining moment: his acceptance into Atlanta’s John Marshall School of Law. He credits that achievement to the guided growth he experienced during his time on the Hill.

“The professors are top notch here, and they’ve helped me so much,” Bonner said.

A student-athlete on the Panther baseball team, Bonner has embraced leadership and involvement across campus. He serves as president of the pre-law club, is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for political science, and represents the baseball team on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Through these experiences, he built relationships that broadened his perspective and shaped his personal development.

“The relationships these experiences helped me build with other students have really allowed me to view things in different ways and shaped me into a better person these last four years,” he said.

Bonner also acknowledges the critical role of donor support in making his journey possible.

“Without scholarships, I probably wouldn’t have been able to come to a school like this,” he said, noting he receives several forms of donor-sponsored aid.

As the Chapel Bell rings more frequently in the days leading up to graduation, each chime signals another story of perseverance, growth and achievement—many made possible through scholarships and donor-funded opportunities.

“Institutional scholarships are one of the primary ways donors invest in our students,” Geeter said. “We are incredibly grateful for everyone who participates in Giving Day this Tuesday and for the incredible kindness of Michael Fay for doubling donors’ contributions.”

On LC Giving Day, alumni, friends and supporters are invited to invest in the next generation of LaGrange College students. To learn more and make a gift, visit www.lagrange.edu/givingday.

 

Campus Notes

• The LC Theatre community, along with friends and family, came together this week to celebrate senior Aria Mabry, who rang the Chapel Bell on Thursday after being accepted to Samford University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in music.
• Priority applications for Fall 2026 church-based internships will close on May 15. This opportunity is possible through the NetVUE grant for Fostering Leadership for Communities of Faith from the Council of Independent Colleges. For more information, contact the Rev. Ashley Jenkins at ajenkins@lagrange.edu.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Little Shop of Horrors

Friday, April 17-Sunday, April 19

7 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 2 p.m. (Sunday), Price Theater

• LC Musical Theatre will perform the Broadway sci-fi smash that has delighted audiences for over 30 years.

National History Day Georgia State Contest

Saturday, April 18

8 a.m., Multiple areas around campus

• Students and alumni are encouraged to serve as volunteer judges.

LC Baseball Alumni Day

Saturday, April 18

2 p.m., Cleaveland Field

• Enjoy food and fellowship while supporting the Panthers as they take on Piedmont University. Gates open at noon with first pitch set for 2 p.m.

Release and Reset: A Paint Experience

Tuesday, April 21

11 a.m., Caswell Plaza

• Students will be able to choose between expressive splatter painting or a calming painting activity while also gaining psychoeducation on practical stress-management skills.

Trenton Dillard Album Release Concert

Tuesday, April 21

6 p.m., Price Theater

• Senior Music student Trenton Dillard will share songs from his debut album.

Comfort and Connection: An Unwind Experience

Wednesday, April 22

5:30 p.m., Caswell Plaza

• Counseling Services will provide crafts and S’mores assembly stations for students while incorporating self-care psychoeducation and fostering connection and community.

Applied Composition and Sound Design Concert

Wednesday, April 22

6 p.m., Price Theater

• Applied Composition and Sound Design students will present their final projects. Senior Aria Mabry will be a featured tap dancer at the event.

Calm and Center: A Mindful Experience

Thursday, April 23

11 a.m., Caswell Plaza

• Practice mindful coloring while learning nervous system regulation strategies through calming activities, supportive snacks and mindfulness psychoeducation.

Undergraduate Research

Thursday, April 23

11 a.m., Lewis Library

• Undergraduates will present their projects for campus and community members.

Honors Day

Thursday, April 23

4 p.m., Callaway Auditorium

• A ceremony celebrating the achievements of students and faculty.

Senior Art Exhibition

Thursday, April 23

5:30 p.m., Lamar Dodd Art Center

• The end-of-the-year senior showcase will span painting, ceramics, sculpture, 3D modeling, photography and graphic design. A reception for the program’s six seniors will be held directly following Honors Day.

 

Sports

Lacrosse

The Panthers will end their season against William Peace University (Raleigh, North Carolina) on Saturday, April 18, at 1 p.m., at Callaway Stadium. The team will hold their Senior Day ceremony after the game, where Tyler Abrams, Lawrence Johnson-Chambers, Hammond Folsom and Nicholas Murciano will be recognized for all their contributions throughout their time with the program. Murciano leads LaGrange this season with 27 goals and seven assists.

Baseball

LC will host Piedmont University (Demorest, Georgia) April 17-19 in a three-game CCS series. The teams play at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium at 7 p.m. on Friday, at 2 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Panthers will hold their annual Alumni Day on Saturday, welcoming back many of the greats in the program’s history.

Softball

The Panthers will compete at home against Asbury University (Wilmore, Kentucky) on Saturday, April 18, in a noon double-header. The team is led by senior Claire Chamberlain who has produced both at the plate and at the circle, posting a .327 batting average with 33 hits with twelve walks while posting a 4.03 ERA.

Men’s & Women’s Tennis

LC will close its regular season at Coastal Alabama Community College on Sunday, April 19, at noon.

Men’s Golf

The Panthers ended their regular season at the Sam Snead Invitational in Williamsburg, Virginia. Sophomore Trey Galbraith led the charge for LC after completing with scores of +5, -1 and +4 for a +8 finish overall. Sophomore Albin Nirup wasn't far behind, finishing at +10 after posting scores of +5, +3 and +2. The team will compete in the CCS Championships April 27-29 in Dalton, Georgia.

Women’s Golf

Sophomore Emma McCoy was named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship team.

Beach Volleyball

The Panthers continue their best season in school history this weekend when they compete at the AVCA Small College Beach Championships April 17-18 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The team will begin pool play on Friday at 10 a.m. when they face Berry College, followed by a match against East Texas Baptist University at 1:30 p.m. LaGrange’s results from these two matches will determine their seeding come the championship round on Saturday.

Track & Field

LC will get their final tune-up before conference championships when they compete at the Georgia Tech Invitational April 17-18. The Panthers are led by freshman Ryheem Mighten, who has earned two CCS Track Rookie of the Week awards and one CCS Track Athlete of the Week honors. He currently ranks first in the CCS in the 400-meter dash and second in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash events. Freshman Khristian Bell leads the women’s team, ranking first in the CCS in the long jump and triple jump and second in the 200-meter dash.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Friday, April 17 – Track at Georgia Tech Invitational, Atlanta, Georgia

Friday, April 17 – Beach Volleyball (AVCA Small College Beach Championships) vs. Berry College (Mount Berry, Georgia), 10:10 a.m., Gulf Shores, Alabama

Friday, April 17 – Beach Volleyball (AVCA Small College Beach Championships) vs. East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, Texas), 1:25 p.m., Gulf Shores, Alabama

Friday, April 17 – Baseball (Home) vs. Piedmont University (Demorest, Georgia), 7 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium

Saturday, April 18 – Beach Volleyball (AVCA Small College Beach Championships) vs. TBD, TBD, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Saturday, April 18 – Track at Georgia Tech Invitational, Atlanta, Georgia

Saturday, April 18 – Softball (Home) vs. Asbury University (Wilmore, Kentucky), noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex

Saturday, April 18 – Lacrosse (Home) vs. William Peace University (Raleigh, North Carolina), 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Saturday, April 18 – Baseball (Home) vs. Piedmont University, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium

Sunday, April 19 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Coastal Alabama Community College-North (Monroeville, Alabama), noon, Greer Tennis Courts

Sunday, April 19 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Coastal Alabama Community College-North, noon, Greer Tennis Courts

Sunday, April 19 – Baseball (Home) vs. Piedmont University, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium

Monday, April 20 – Women’s Golf at USA South Conference Championship, Sanford, North Carolina

Tuesday, April 21 – Women’s Golf at USA South Conference Championship, Sanford, North Carolina

Wednesday, April 22 – Women’s Golf at USA South Conference Championship, Sanford, North Carolina

Thursday, April 23 – Baseball (Home) vs. Maryville College (Maryville, Tennessee), 7 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium

 

In the Headlines

LaGrange College Musical Theatre to showcase ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ LaGrange Daily News, April 14

Diamond Clemmer named LaGrange College head cheer coach, LaGrange Daily News, April 13

Category: Philanthropy, College, Community

Keywords: Education, Philanthropy