a supplement to the
Lake Erie magazine
LAKE ERIE COLLEGE
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
1856 – 2006
Times have changed. So has
Lake Erie College. As its
Sesquicentennial celebration
draws to a close, the College
shares the opportunity to look
back and reflect upon its history.
This document is based upon a
review of materials provided from
the Lake Erie College archives,
administrative offices and
“Dancing on the Table,” written
by Margaret Geissman Gross, ’42.
Lake Erie College looks forward
to another 150 years of success in
higher education.
Copy by Sharon A. Coon, MBA ‘95
Edited by Cristine Boyd,
Kathleen Lawry, Holly Menzie, MBA ‘06
and Laken Piercy, ‘07
Design by JPS Design Group
Published Fall 2006
LAKE ERIE COLLEGE
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
1856 – 2006
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
T
he Foundation
a supplement to the
“The system of instruction...shall
Tenney became principal of the
be substantially after the model of
Willoughby Female Seminary,
Mount Holyoke Female Seminary
which grew to an enrollment of
The United States of America was
at South Hadley, Ma.…the object of
211 students. Just nine years later,
founded by the hard work and
this institution shall be to promote
the building was destroyed by fire
dedicated efforts of early pioneers.
a thorough and complete female
as students practiced piano on the
The same holds true for Lake Erie
education.”
third floor, among them a student
College, which traces its roots to
4
Lake Erie magazine
named Sarah Wilcox.
the Willoughby Female Seminary
The Seminary, the only single-sex
founded in 1847. The seminary
institution of higher education for
A few months later, Sarah’s
movement, which was at its
women in the Western Reserve,
father and five other Painesville
height between 1830 and 1860,
was housed in a Willoughby, Ohio
businessmen founded the Lake Erie
provided advanced education for
building that was originally used
Female Seminary in Painesville,
women, focusing upon preparation
as a medical college. The trustees
located about 15 miles to the east.
to serve as wives, mothers,
appealed to Mount Holyoke’s
The trustees located a parcel of
missionaries and educators.
leader, Mary Lyon, to send them a
land on Mentor Avenue, just about
teacher to help establish a seminary
one-half mile from the Painesville
The articles of association of the
for young women in that very
business district, to build the
Willoughby Female Seminary stated,
location. She obliged, and Roxena
seminary. Adjoining properties
Seminary Class – 1883
to see the latest visit
1856 – 2006
www.lec.edu
totaling 13 acres, once part of the
served as
society that operated the Painesville
Isaac Gillett farm, were purchased
president of
Academy. A wealthy judge until the
from a number of owners for the
the Cleveland
failure of his Lake County Bank
sum of $4,175.
and Mahoning
in the 1870s, Wilcox served as
Railroad in
secretary-treasurer of the trustees at
addition to
the time of his death.
T
he Founders
serving as
later a trustee of the Willoughby
Charles
Austin Avery
(1816-1909)
Female Seminary. His daughter,
supervised the
had been a
Melissa, attended Mount Holyoke,
construction
trustee of
along with his niece. Hitchcock was
and was largely
Willoughby
fondly remembered throughout the
responsible
Female
years by the chanting of “Reuben,
for securing
Seminary. He
Reuben” at many founder’s events
the grounds on which the College
produced pig iron at the Concord
and alumni weekend activities.
stands. Inspired by his work with
president of the
Timothy
Rockwell
(1798-1881)
Willoughby Medical College and
Furnace Company and was also a
the Seminary, he later added a tower
William
Lee Perkins
(1799-1882)
to his own home, similar to the one
Silas
Trumbull
Ladd
(1810-1879)
had also been
Connecticut in 1837, traveling by
a trustee of
canal and lake boat to Conneaut.
Willoughby
From there he took a covered wagon
Female
to Painesville, completing the last
ran a general
Seminary. A
leg of his journey.
store with
long-time lawyer, he had served
Rockwell, which
as a prosecuting attorney for Lake
These founders became the first
was lost in a
County, generally opposing Judge
trustees of what would later
Main Street fire in 1858. He moved
Hitchcock in prominent lawsuits.
become Lake Erie College. Each
trustee of Western Reserve College
in Hudson.
to Hudson around 1842 to serve
on College Hall. He was a self-made
man who came to Painesville from
of them sent at least one daughter
Aaron Wilcox
(1814-1881)
to the Seminary, Ladd and Wilcox
served as mayor
celebrated November 8, 1894 to
Reuben Hitchcock
(1806-1883) was a Lake County
of Painesville
commemorate the important work
several times
of these men. All founders are
Common Pleas judge when the
and was
buried in Evergreen Cemetery in
Seminary was established. He
president of a
Painesville.
as treasurer of Western Reserve
College.
each sent five. Founders Day was
Lake Erie College
5
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
C
onstruction of
the Seminary
a supplement to the
Lake Erie magazine
faced Mentor Avenue, adorning
left Painesville to attend Mount
the building that measured the
Holyoke “that they might
same length as the White House
bring something of the mother
(180 feet) and the same width as
college to the new enterprise.”
Charles Wallace Heard, of Heard
the Mormon Temple in nearby
They were Sarah Jane Wilcox,
& Porter, was commissioned to
Kirtland (60 feet).
Lucy Perkins, Julia Mathews
and Melissa Hitchcock.
design and supervise construction
of the Seminary building. He had
The cornerstone was laid on
previously served as an apprentice
July 4, 1857. Men and women
under Jonathan Goldsmith in
of Painesville helped while the
Painesville and designed the
building was under construction.
building in an Italianate style,
“On Saturdays, all men who could,
Although
with a tower adorning the front
went with hoes, spades and teams
the building
and rising a story higher than the
and graded the grounds. The
was not yet
four-floor structure. The base of the
dinner that followed was served
completed,
tower contained the front entrance
by the Painesville ladies. Every
the Seminary
and an Italian staircase led from
Wednesday afternoon, ladies’
opened in
the drive to the entrance and to a
sewing circles met at a private
1859, in what
piazza with balcony above. Eight
residence. Most of the bedding and
we know
chimneys in the facade heated
linen was furnished in this way.”
the fireplaces in dorm rooms.
A total of 108 hooded windows
During construction, four girls
Opening
Lydia Sessions
today as
College Hall.
The school replicated the Mount
Holyoke plan, including courses,
method of instruction, discipline
and rules. Principal Lydia Sessions
presided over the institution, a
position she held until 1866.
The original teachers were six
women from Mount Holyoke, who
brought with them the upstanding
principles and discipline for which
that institution had become known.
The program of study included
liberal arts, but focused upon
domestic affairs and preparation
for women’s role as a wife and
Seminary Class – 1890
6
mother. In fact, in the early years
to see the latest visit
1856 – 2006
www.lec.edu
of the institution, very few women
on Mentor Avenue. Led by the
the breadth of coursework had
who attended actually completed
Painesville band, they marched to
been modified to qualify graduates
their studies through graduation.
a grove in the rear of the building
for a college degree instead of a
Instead, many young women
(the Ash Grove), where Judge
seminary diploma, and the name
looked at their Lake Erie experience
Wilcox handed out seminary
was changed to Lake Erie Seminary
and College. In 1908, the state of
Ohio granted a charter establishing
Lake Erie College.
Additional
Construction
Lake Erie Students – 1916
College Hall - 1910
as a brief educational opportunity
diplomas, which he and Lydia
that increased their marriage
Sessions had signed.
When the Seminary opened,
College Hall was the only building
prospects. Students worked one
hour each day on domestic duties.
Prospective students, according
on campus. Recognized by the
Domestic work continued until
to the Catalog of 1882, “must
National Register of Historic Places,
1917. The charge for tuition and
be not less than fifteen years of
College Hall provided students with
board was $90 per year. Enrollment
age. Seminary life is intended for
a place to study, live, eat and enjoy
was 127 students.
those who can be trusted upon
recreational activities. The South
the streets and elsewhere, and
Wing of College Hall was added in
The first class graduated in 1860
for those who can study in their
1876, followed by the completion
and consisted of young women
own rooms and not under the
of first floor in 1877, the second
Mary Elizabeth Burton and Mary
watchful eyes of a teacher.”
in 1878, the third in 1881 and the
fourth in 1910. College Hall was first
Strong, followed by nine graduates
the next year, including Sarah
Wilcox. Graduation exercises were
C
hanging Times
illuminated with electricity in 1916.
The cornerstone for Memorial
held in the Seminary building
and then a procession of scholars,
As the curriculum changed, so too
Hall, which was connected to
faculty and parents formed
did the Seminary charter. In 1898,
College Hall by a corridor, was laid
Lake Erie College
7
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
a supplement to the
May 29, 1890, and the building
in Memorial Hall in the early
was dedicated the following
morning hours of April 13, 1957,
year. The building contained an
destroying the structure. Although
auditorium, chapel, dormitory,
College Hall sustained smoke
lecture rooms and music practice
damage, the building stood tall.
Lake Erie magazine
Today, the stone sign for Memorial
Hall remains on the ground
outside College Hall, in the exact
Bentley Hall
spot where it once hung over the
housing open stacks of books
main entrance to the building.
for students to review. Today, the
building is known as Kilcawley
Bentley Hall of Science, named for
Hall (in honor of long-time
Dean Luette Bentley, was dedicated
board member Anne Kilcawley
in 1897 and stood until 1972.
Christman) and houses the offices
rooms. In 1893, the famous iron
Later, Murray Library, named for
of the president and institutional
fence was installed on the front
Concord resident Jared Murray,
advancement.
of the campus. A fire broke out
would be dedicated in 1908,
Memorial Hall Fire
Ritchie Gymnasium
Ritchie Gymnasium was designed
by Abram Garfield, grandson of
former U.S. President James A.
Garfield, who visited the College for
a birthday celebration just months
before his death. The gymnasium
was dedicated in 1920 and is now
a part of Phillips Osborne School.
Abram Garfield also designed
Murray Library and Morley Hall.
The Helen Rockwell Morley
Dwan Club - 1949
8
Memorial Music Building was
to see the latest visit
1856 – 2006
www.lec.edu
Enrollment
dedicated
in 1927,
established as a
Throughout
tribute by
Lake Erie’s
her son,
history, en-
Charles
Lincoln Commmos
Rockwell
Morley Hall
rollment has
experienced
Morley.
The Lincoln Commons, dedicated
peaks and
She had
at the Centennial Convocation
valleys. From
been a
in 1959, stood at the heart of the
a population
member of the class of 1854 at the
campus until 1996, when the
of 127 at its
Willoughby Female Seminary. This
cost of major repairs necessitated
founding, en-
building is still in use today, provid-
the replacement of the building.
rollment grew
ing a lovely setting for events such
The $6 million Arthur S. Holden
and stayed
as the annual Christmas Vespers.
Center opened in 1997 as the
between
new student center and marked
148 and 316
the first new construction on
students in
campus in nearly 20 years.
the 1940s and 50s. As a result of
Mail Call - 1957
the baby boom, the enrollment
at Lake Erie College experienced
a high of 1,075 in 1964. As the
boomers graduated from college,
enrollment fell to 738 in 1969 and
Athletic & Wellness Center
Avery Hall
continued to decline in the early
1970s, at which time new curricu-
The Austin Hall of Science was
lum in business and equine stud-
The first dormitory (exclusive of
dedicated in 1964, followed the
ies drew additional students. The
College Hall) was Avery Hall,
next year by a groundbreaking for
creation of the all-male Garfield
for which ground was broken in
the Lincoln Library. The Fine Arts
Senior College in 1972 boosted
1954. This was followed by Ritter
Center opened in 1970, followed
the total head count to an all-
Hall in 1956, Fowler in 1958 and
by construction of the Jane White
time high of 1,114 in 1974.
Andrews (Tiber) Hall in 1964.
Lincoln Center for Physical
Avery, which was named in honor
Education and Recreation in 1977.
Enrollment fluctuated between 900
of founder Charles Avery, was
This building was later razed to
- 1,000 for the next nine years. In
replaced in 2004 by Dickinson
make room for the $9.5 million
1987 (the year the stock market
Hall, named in honor of trustee
Athletic & Wellness Center, which
plummeted), enrollment dipped to
Tracy Harrington Dickinson, ’78.
opened in 2004.
544. The creation of two master’s
Lake Erie College
9
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
a supplement to the
Lake Erie magazine
S
tuition. This program restored the
population grow again in the early
International study has been
so many years.
1990s, leveling around 860 by the
important to the Lake Erie College
degrees (business and education)
and a weekend college for
working adults helped the student
tudy Abroad
importance of international study,
for which Lake Erie was known for
fall of 1991. By Fall 2004, total
The College has continued to
enrollment rose to 1,056.
increase opportunities for student study abroad. This has been
C
o-Education
strengthened by the recent development of
numerous other
exchange
programs
with
Study Abroad - 1955
Fowler Hall - 1990
experience for many years. Lake
and uni-
Erie first developed a partnership
versities
in 1925 with Kobe College in
10
colleges
Study Abroad - 2000
around
Although Lake Erie College became
Nishinomiya City, Japan. Later,
co-educational in 1985, the College
the College made history as the
world, including Costa Rica, Hon-
already had an alumni population
first college in the U.S. to require
duras and China.
of nearly 1,000 men. Day students
students to spend an academic term
were first admitted to the College in
abroad. Alumni fondly remember
1932. Ground was later broken for
the Winter Term Abroad, which
The Garfield Center on June 6, 1950
began in 1953. As a result of the
and the building was dedicated in
changing demographics of the
1952. The College maintained a
student population, the mandatory
Horses
separate identity for the program
term abroad was later eliminated.
have been
until 1985, when Garfield Senior
The program was featured in The
a part of
College was eliminated and male
Chronicle of Higher Education in
campus
students were admitted as full-
the late 1990s, highlighting the
life for
time traditional and residential
“Passport to the Future” program,
more
students. From that point on, with
which gave free passports to
than eight
the merging of Lake Erie College
incoming freshmen and provided
decades.
for Women and Garfield Senior
a shortened (approximately two
The very
College, all students were graduates
week) international experience
first riding
of Lake Erie College.
to students as part of their
the
Equestrian
Studies
Riding - 1928
class
to see the latest visit
1856 – 2006
www.lec.edu
The College acquired Morley farm
in 1958, and with the help of local
architects, Andahazy planned the
Equestrian Class - 1943
was offered for physical education
Philanthropy
first-class competition facility so
Beginning with the investment
many have come to know and
of funds ranging between $25
love. The George M. Humphrey
and $2,000 from six Painesville
Equestrian Center officially opened
men, the financial stability of
in 1971. The equestrian major
Lake Erie College has grown
was added in 1973 and Andahazy
throughout the years. Although
retired from the College in 1977,
tested at times by the economy
continuing to serve as an important
and circumstances, the tenacity
element of the equine program
of the College has persisted.
until his death.
credit in 1928. In 1955, renowned
Today, the endowment of the
horseman Laddie Andahazy came
The equestrian program has
College stands at $35 million
to Lake Erie College and changed
continued to expand, producing
and alumni and friends continue
the face of campus forever. President
to provide financial donations.
Paul Weaver gave Andahazy two
Scholarships, particularly the Twins
years to prove the worth of an
Scholarship, established to provide
equestrian program. Beginning
a “buy-one, get-one free” tuition gift
with 12 horses, tack and a small
for twins, have brought the College
stable that stood where Fowler Hall
notoriety in magazines such as
stands today, Andahazy set out to
Fortune Magazine, Mademoiselle,
make the program a success. That
Seventeen and Newsweek.
IDA Champs - 2006
many successful alumni. The
equestrian team earned its first
and
History
Traditions
trip to the National Intercollegiate
Championship Horse Show
Various celebrations have been
competition in 1994 and won the
held throughout the years, some
Intercollegiate Dressage Association
which became well-loved traditions.
National Championship in 2005.
Two of the most notable were
he did. Andahazy was recognized by
The Equestrian Center also became
Founders Day and Mountain Day,
The New York Times in 1967, which
approved as a British Horse
both of which were borrowed
reported that 100 of the school’s 600
Society Establishment in October
from Mount Holyoke traditions.
students were regular participants in
2005, one of only seven such
Founders Day was first held in
equestrian classes.
establishments in the U.S.
1894 and became the leading fall
Opening Ceremonies
Lake Erie College
11
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
a supplement to the
A
thletics
College,
evolved. Be-
Lake Erie magazine
Basketball - 1993
ginning with
field hockey,
tennis and
softball,
Presentation Dance - 1955
sports were
added and
celebration, including a speaker
of notoriety and declaration of
Field Hockey - early 1900’s
removed
from the list
important College announcements.
At the founding of Lake Erie Female
of extracurricular activities. Swim-
For many years, it was celebrated
Seminary, administrators stressed
ming, including synchronized
with the class dinners of Alumni
to young women the importance
swimming performances by the
Weekend, honoring the late
of physical activity and encouraged
Dwan club, enjoyed popularity
Peter Hitchcock, direct descedent
daily walking, requiring students
and the first swim meet was held
of Reuben Hitchcock.
to keep a record of these activities.
in the new pool in Ritchie Gym on
June 4, 1921.
Aviation classes were held in
the 1940s and fencing, aikido
and conditioning classes were
introduced in the 1980s. When the
Mountain Day
Women’s Basketball - 1999
College became co-educational,
men’s sports were added. The men’s
Mountain Day was a special day
Paths were later provided for
basketball team earned a spot
of rest from all classes. Originally,
bicycle trails and a field for outdoor
in the league playoffs during the
it was an un-announced surprise
events, equipped for track and
1994-95 season, which also marked
that involved an excursion to Little
basketball activities. The Athletic
the College’s entry into NCAA
Mountain and a hotel owned by
Association was formed in 1895,
competition. Men’s soccer made its
founder Charles Avery, who always
with tennis and croquet sets getting
debut during the 1994-95 season,
made the property available to the
regular use. In 1908, organized
following the addition of the sport
Lake Erie women for their holiday.
sports in field hockey, fencing,
to the women’s line-up the previous
It has been recalled fondly as a
basketball and tennis were added
year. The Athletic Hall of Fame was
day of exercise, food, fresh air and
to the curriculum and by 1911, the
instituted in 1987 and to date has
fun. In later years, excursions were
College held five national records
recognized 42 alumni athletes.
planned at area parks and farms
in athletics.
and also became a focus for campus
clean-up and beautification.
12
Today, varsity sports for women
Athletics, like all other areas of the
include basketball, cross country,
to see the latest visit
1856 – 2006
www.lec.edu
soccer, softball and volleyball.
42 states. More than twenty-six
Baseball, basketball, cross country,
majors are offered and graduate
golf and soccer are currently offered
programs in education and
for men and football is scheduled
business are integral components
to kick off as an intercollegiate
of the curriculum. The campus now
sport in the fall of 2007.
encompasses 48 acres in Painesville
and 85 at the George M. Humphrey
L
ake Erie College
Today
Equestrian Center in Concord
Twp. The faculty has grown from
six Mount Holyoke women to
37 full-time men and women.
Chemistry Lab - 2006
From the very first graduating
class of two students, the alumni
population now numbers near
9,200. The class of 2006, which
celebrated the College’s 147th
Commencement in May, included
190 graduates. The total enrollment
numbers over 1,000 students,
while the student body hails from
Student Life - 2006
College Hall still stands proudly in
the center of the campus. If walls
could talk, we could learn much
more about the rich learning and
Successful Students - 2006
living experiences that generations
have shared in that building.
The year-long Sesquicentennial
People have come and gone as
celebration included the
have buildings and programs. One
appointment of Lake Erie College’s
thing is certain, Lake Erie College is
11th president, Michael T. Victor.
alive today because of them and is
His energy and leadership will
a much stronger place for sharing
their company.
Holden Center - 2005
guide the College into the next
chapter, into the next 150 years.
Lake Erie College
13
THE FIRST 150 YEARS
a supplement to the
Lake Erie magazine
Presidents of Lake Erie College
Lydia Sessions
1859 – 1866
1856
Mary Evans
1868 - 1909
1866
1876
Dr. Helen Dalton Bragdon
1941 – 1950
1886
Anna M. Edwards
1866 – 1868
14
1896
1906
Vivian Blanche Small
1909 – 1941
Dr. Paul S. Weaver
1951 – 1976
1916
1926
Dr. Alfred T. Hill
(Acting President)
1950 – 1951
to see the latest visit
www.lec.edu
Dr. Charles E.P. Simmons
1977 – 1984
1936
Paul Newland
(Interim President)
1976 – 1977
1946
1856 – 2006
Edward Q. Moulton
1985 – 1986
1956
Marilyn S. Jones
(Interim President)
1984 – 1985
1966
Michael T. Victor
2006 – Present
Hal Laydon
1992 – 2005
1976
Clodus R. Smith
1986 – 1992
1986
2006
1996
M. Sue Dreitzler
(Interim President)
2005 – 2006
Lake Erie College
15
,!+%
'%
) % # /,
,%
%2
800-916-0904 • www.lec.edu
391 W. Washington Street • Painesville, OH 44077