A short history of McCormick Day

"On January 14, 1913, the trustees of Tusculum College, in recognition of the beneficence of Mrs. Nettie Fowler McCormick, established McCormick Day as a College holiday to be celebrated annually on February 8, the date of her birthday. During the custom's early years, the day began with a chapel service during which a speaker related the highlights of the patron's life, emphasizing her love of cleanliness and good order. Thereafter, students industriously worked to spruce up the campus and their rooms in preparation for an afternoon neatness contest and open house. The day's activities were concluded with an evening dinner to which faculty and friends were invited. Until Mrs. McCormick's death in 1924, President Charles Oliver Gray always took pen in hand on February 9 to report to her on the activities of her birthday. These letters from Tusculum provided much pleasure and satisfaction to the elderly widow.

The celebration of McCormick Day is the longest uninterrupted tradition of the College. Talks are still given (often followed by the dedication of trees) and neat room contests still occur, as do special evening meals. The celebration keeps alive the memory of a noble woman's generosity by encouraging a continuing spirit of institutional heritage and renewal."