Nearly 50 years after Judson College was founded, students, faculty members and supporters gathered on campus Friday to remember the school's mission and vision.

The annual Founders' Day celebration began with a service in the university's Herrick Chapel and a speech by Lynne Hybels, co-founder of Willow Creek Church in South Barrington.

International student Roger Lugo later spoke of his Judson experience at the Betty Lindner Commons, and visiting assistant music professor Chang Lei sung pieces by Mozart, Charles Gounod and Matt Hayes.

Retired NBA assistant coach and former Judson athletic director Dick Helm spoke of Judson's early days, as well as its future, joking with alumni in the audience about past athletic performances.

After Helm's presentation, Stuart "Doc" Ryder, received the school's prestigious Golden Eagle Award.

Ryder, a longtime language and linguistics professor and now the school's academic-athletic liaison, recently published a memoir "Why didn't I get an A?" spelling out his philosophy for teaching and living.

Known as an eccentric, Ryder has been well known for walking his cat around the Elgin campus.

The night concluded with a performance by alumni Melody Aristo-Kielisch and the Judson University Community Orchestra and Choir.