New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-09
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
ORIGIN lOF COLLEGES FOR WOMEN.
TIE PRIORITY OF ELMIRA COLLEGE IN GRANT
ING TILE DECREE OF A. B.

THE PRIORITY OF ELMIRA COLLEGE IN GRANT
ING THE DEGREE OF A. B.
10 enc Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: In any important revolution, civil or social,
we are interested TO know the time when, the place
where and the persons through whom 1t had its origin
The foundation Of regular colleges for women was a
prme factor in a great educational and social revou-
ton 1t opened to women the whole field Of science
and OF art and gave TO them the entrance to all the
professions.
In 1851 meeting was held in the consstory room
OF the Second Reformed Dutch Church, in Albany, at
which were present the Rev. l. N Wykoh, d. d.. inc
Hon. Amos Dean. IL. D.. and the Hon. Luther Tucker
Of Albany: the Rev. " s. 5. Bcman, d. D.. of Troy
the Rev. Henry Vaudeville. ID. D., of Hamilton Col
lege and Others The object Of the meeting was DC
clared to be the founding of q college for women
which should hold rank with colleges for men, and WIN
similar equipment, furnish equal advantages Tor the
highest and best liberal education of women 10 DC
honored with the same academic degrees" and IT was
unanimously resolved that effort be made 10 fouho
such a college, At subsequent meeting the city OF
Auburn selected the place OF the proposed COZ
Iege In January, 1852 the Regents OF the University
gave charter under the name and title OF AUBURN
Female University. In 1853 change OF location was uo
cded upon, and the university was removed 10 Ei"a
and in 1865 it was recharered by the Legislature ana
its name changed to Elmira Female College During
the simmer of 1855, the college building was COM
pleted was dedicated in September, and was opeheu
for students in october. After full fouryeais cosc
of study (confessedly modelled after the course Vi
study at Hamilton College,, Tie first class III Elmlf'l
Female College, seventeen in number, was graduate"
In 1859, taking the academic degree OF A. b.
This was the first class of women that ever emerged
from college halls thus equipped and Eimra was ue
first woman's college in the world legally authorized
TO confer academic degrees The first president was
the Rev. Augustus w. COwleS, d. d. Other colleges
exclusively for women soon followed 1t April, 1891,
Ingham University, at La Roy, Genesee county was
chartered by the Legislature The writer IS unable
to state the year Of its first graduating class the num-
Der in the class the name OF its 1rst chancehor.
letter of inquiry addressed to the ChanGei,or Or
Vice cellorn met with no response ana inquiry
at Albany shows that there is no record OF lhese
matters in the Office of the Regents OF the university
In January, 1861, the Legislature gave chirtef
10 Vassar Female College, and in 1867 changed INC
name to Vassar College. The first class III NassM
College consisting of four members, was graduated III
1867 taking the degree of 4. b. The first piesident
was Milo p. Jewett, LII. d. These were Doubtless,
the first three colleges for women holding the same
rank with colleges for Several socalled female
colleges both in the United states and in England had
prior existence but they were only ladies' seilhareS
of high order without college powers ana privileges,
granting certificates, and not conferrlng Degrees
VI. Z. CAVERT.
Rhnpbeck n Y, March =, 1891