Sherman, Texas -- Austin College honored retiring President and First Lady O’Day with a dedication of O’Day Honors Court on Friday, May 22. 

The Honors Court, located between Wortham Center and Wynne Chapel, offers a place of quiet reflection. The names of all Austin College graduates, recipients of the Founders Medal, members of the Board of Trustees, and donors with membership in the Stephen F. Austin Society, 1849 Society, or Emily Austin Society are noted on the surrounding walls. 

The court was constructed in 1980 with a gift from the William Collins family of Fort Worth. The Margaret Binkley Collins Fountain was added during an extensive renovation in 2000 and named by the Board of Trustees for the alumna. The space experienced renovation again this year as part of the campus renewal project. 

“I think we can all agree that this beautiful space is indeed an enhancement to our campus, and it is just wonderful to name it for the O’Days as a lasting tribute to their contributions on campus,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Gillian Locke. “It is truly a special place on our campus, because it is the start of every prospective student’s tour, and one that represents a full circle moment when they come back as alumni to visit and see their name on the wall.” 

Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Austin unveiled the plaque and officially dedicated the space to the O’Days, declaring, “It is my distinct pleasure as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Austin College to officially dedicate the Steven and Cece O’Day Honors court.” 

“It is truly an honor for Cece and I to be recognized this way,” said President Steven P. O’Day. “We can come back to visit and see our names on the Honors Court, just like all of the alumni who are recognized here.”

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 45 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.