{Autumn J. Adkins} Welcome to the Girard College website! As the 16th president of Girard College, I am excited to lead this dynamic community of learners. During 2009–2010 school year, the devoted staff joins me in educating and caring for 623 children in grades 1–12. I am mindful that the school continues to honor the vision of its founder, Stephen Girard, in both academic and residential life. His commitment to intellectual pursuits and service is expressed in our curriculum and standards, while his passion for architecture and history is reflected in our original classroom building, Founder’s Hall. To me, Founder’s Hall represents more than just the physical foundation of our school. The eight Corinthian columns that buttress its façade stand up for the following tenets of Girard College: {Founders} Academic Excellence Citizenship Community Service Spiritual and Character Development Creative Arts Physical Fitness/Athletics Cultural Literacy Legacy Building I urge the Girard College community to examine and recommit to these eight pillars with an eye for preparing our students not for the world that is, but for the world that they will one day lead. Please take a look at our website on a periodic basis. It will be redesigned over the course of this year to give you a better sense of how we are living Stephen Girard’s ideals today. However, please do not limit yourself to just visiting our site. I welcome you to contact the school to schedule a tour.   Autumn J. Adkins President