Ohio University will honor its history and tradition in its annual Founders Day Convocation today.

The day celebrates the date that the state’s General Assembly created the university — Feb. 18, 1804. The events begin at 10 a.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom with a ceremony to commemorate distinguished faculty and students.

Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl will acknowledge recipients of awards like the distinguished professor award and announce winners of the Vision Ohio Excellence Awards, which honor two faculty members who have contributed to the Vision Ohio academic plan.

Ann Fidler, dean of the Honors Tutorial College, will recognize the students who have received nationally competitive awards this year.

Along with the presentations, OU President Roderick McDavis will give the Founders Day address and authors of the “Of Place” essays will read selections from their work. OU faculty and staff have written the “Of Place” essays, which examine the unique elements of OU and Athens.

Fidler said the day is a chance to look back to the founding of the institution and its values while looking forward to future accomplishments.

“This is an opportunity we have once a year to pause for a minute and sort of reflect on who we are as a community,” she said.

Media Specialist Katie Quaranta said the ceremony is a time to honor academic excellence and celebrate the rich history of the university and the uniqueness of the community and Athens.

Other Founders Day events include a reception following the ceremony in the fourth-floor Baker Center Atrium and a lecture presented by music professor and this year’s Distinguished Professor Mark Phillips.

All events are free and open to the public.