Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College, a liberal arts college in South Hadley, Massachusetts, is the oldest women's college in the United States, and the oldest continuing institution of women's higher education in the world.

History

Mount Holyoke College was founded as Mount Holyoke Female Seminary on 8 November 1837 by educator Mary Lyon (1797-1849), the founder of Wheaton Female Seminary (later Wheaton College). In 1888, Mount Holyoke Seminary received its collegiate charter and became Mount Holyoke Seminary and College; by 1893 the seminary was phased out in both name and

Related Topics:
8 November - 1837 - Mary Lyon - 1797 - 1849 - Wheaton College

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The founders of Mount Holyoke later traveled westward to found the Western College for Women (which became the Western College Program) in Oxford, Ohio, now a part of Miami University.

Related Topics:
Western College Program - Miami University

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On February 28, 1987, a stamp featuring Mary Lyon was issued in honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the college. Mount Holyoke further celebrated its sesquicentennial and the achievements of great American women by inviting noted author and poet, Maya Angelou, to serve as commencement speaker for graduation ceremonies on May 24, 1987.

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Presidents of the College

• Joanne V. Creighton, 1995-present
• Elizabeth Topham Kennan '60, 1978-1995
• David Truman, 1969-1978
• Richard Glenn Gettell, 1957 - 1968
• Roswell G. Ham, 1937 - 1957
• Mary Emma Woolley, 1900 - 1936
• Elizabeth Storrs Mead, 1890 - 1900
• Elizabeth Blanchard '58, (principalship) http://www.mtholyoke.edu/cic/about/history.shtml

Commencement Addresses

• 2005 Address - Nina Totenberg
• 2004 Address - Kim Campbell
• 2003 Address (1) & 2003 Address (2) - Judy Blume
• 2002 Address - Queen Noor of Jordan
• 2001 Address - Suzan-Lori Parks (MHC '85)
• 2000 Address - Mary Patterson McPherson
• 1999 Address - Anna Quindlen
• 1998 Address - Johnnetta B. Cole
• 1997 Address - Madeleine Albright
• 1996 Address - Donna Shalala
• 1995 Address - Ann Richards
• 1994 - Nita M. Lowey (MHC '59)
• 1993 - Judith Kurland (MHC '67)
• 1992 - Pat Schroeder
• 1991 - Evelyn Fox Keller
• 1990 - Wendy Wasserstein (MHC '71)
• 1989 - Glenn Close
• 1988 - Joseph Brodsky
• 1987 - Maya Angelou http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/misc/albright/speakers.shtml