Stories of names

Who was Harvard named after? Origin of university names

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Who were the men named Harvard, Rice, or Duke? Only true visionaries would donate half of their estate to sculpting the minds of the future. From the heartfelt tribute behind Stanford’s name to the post-revolutionary rebranding of Columbia, these stories are monuments to history and culture. Let’s take a stroll through academia’s memory lane and uncover the origins of these storied university names!

Image: Clay Banks

Ah, Harvard! The Ivy League giant was once a small college in the Massachusetts Bay Colony settlement called New Towne. But where did "Harvard" come from?

Enter John Harvard, a clergyman who, in 1638, decided to bequeath half his estate and his library (a whopping 400 books!) to the fledgling college. Grateful for this generous gift, they promptly named the institution after him.

Image: Richard Liu

A gem of New Haven, Connecticut, Yale is another Ivy League powerhouse known for its prestigious law and drama schools.

It owes its name to Elihu Yale, a wealthy merchant who, in 1718, donated a modest shipment of goods (including portraits, books, and textiles) to a struggling collegiate school. Those goods were auctioned off, raising a much-needed £562 –a small fortune at the time.

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This New Jersey Ivy Leaguer, famous for its stunning Gothic architecture and strong emphasis on undergraduate education, has a bit of a nomadic past. Originally called the College of New Jersey, the educational institution moved around and changed names over the decades.

Eventually, it settled in Princeton, and became popularly referred to as "Prince-town’s College." However, the name wasn’t formally adopted until 1896.

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In the urban jungle of New York City, Columbia University boasts a vibrant campus life and a reputation for academic excellence. But did you know it was once known by a less-than-patriotic name?

It was founded in 1754 as King's College, which became a bit awkward after the revolution. It was then renamed Columbia College, "Columbia" being a poetic name for the new, independent country that was America at the time.

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Dartmouth is renowned for its beautiful rural setting, nestled in the picturesque town of Hanover, New Hampshire. It was named after the Earl of Dartmouth, William Legge, a British nobleman who supported the college's founding –despite never actually setting foot in America!

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This Rhode Island Ivy, known for its open curriculum and emphasis on student choice, was founded with a mouthful of a name – the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

It was renamed in 1704 for Nicholas Brown, Jr., a prominent merchant whose family donated generously to the school.

Image: Emily Xie

Perched atop a hill overlooking Ithaca, New York, Cornell is celebrated for its diverse academic programs and its stunning natural surroundings.

Founded by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, this university was unique for its commitment to practical education, allowing students the freedom to choose their own course of study. It was a revolutionary notion at the time, which would guide a curricular reform across the country.

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Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and its close ties to the tech industry. But this California powerhouse has a touching origin story.

Leland Stanford, Jr., the founder's son, tragically died young from typhoid fever. His father Leland Sr., railroad magnate and former state governor, and his mother Jane, founded the university in his memory, ensuring his legacy lived on through the pursuit of knowledge.

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This North Carolina research giant, known for its strong medical and law schools, underwent a bit of a name change in its history.

Originally called Trinity College, it was renamed Duke University in 1924 after James Buchanan Duke, a tobacco and electric power industrialist who founded the American Tobacco Company. He established The Duke Endowment, to which he donated throughout his life and left half his estate after his death.

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Nestled in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt is a renowned research university with a vibrant campus life. It owes its name to "The Commodore," Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad magnate, who provided the initial gift to establish the university.

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Texas businessman William Marsh Rice provided the initial funding for this Houston university, but did not live to see its opening. He was murdered by his valet as he slept, in a plot to forge the man’s will.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Rice University flourished through the years, becoming an institution known for its strong engineering and science programs.

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"USC" is a sprawling campus known for its film school and its Trojan spirit. It was founded by Robert Maclay Widney, a judge who envisioned a university that would serve the growing area. Back then it was only an expanding frontier town, which would evolve to become the city of Los Angeles.

INSIDER INSIGHTS

10 Fascinating Facts About the U.S. Congress

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The United States Congress has held a central role in American governance, shaping laws and policies for over two hundred years. Yet, beyond its legislative functions, the time-honored institution harbors intriguing facts that are often overshadowed by the political debates.

Join us for a tour of 10 of the most surprising aspects of Capitol Hill, shedding light on the inner workings of America's legislative powerhouse.

Image: Cesare Maccari, Public domain

Derived from the Latin word "congressus," meaning "a coming together," the original meaning of the term perfectly encapsulates the essence of legislative deliberation. Interestingly, the U.S. Congress also convenes at the Capitol, a name stemming from the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome, a symbol of authority and governance in the ancient Republic.

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A filibuster is a political strategy often used in congressional settings where a representative tries to stall or delay the voting of a proposed bill. A form of obstruction, it is technically allowed, but it can also be brought to an end with the help of other legal measures like cloture, as long as there are enough votes. In 1957, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina embarked on a marathon filibuster lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes, setting the record for the longest individual speech in Senate history.

Image: US Capitol, Public domain

Beneath the bustling corridors of Capitol Hill lies an intricate network of subterranean passages, including an internal subway system. Although the actual cars are quite small, they remain an essential service for both lawmakers and staff, as these underground tunnels connect key buildings within the Capitol complex, ensuring efficient movement between legislative sessions, committee hearings, and office spaces.

Image: Carl Albert Research and Studies Center, Congressional Collection

Amidst the weighty deliberations and legislative duties, members of Congress occasionally set aside their political differences for a lighthearted tradition: the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Dating back to 1909, this sporting event pits Democratic and Republican representatives against each other in a friendly game of baseball, raising funds for charity and fostering camaraderie across party lines. The game is often attended by staff, congressional families, and sometimes even U.S. presidents.

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Hilariously, the lovable Sesame Street character Elmo was invited to testify before Congress in 2002, becoming the first non-human to ever testify on Capitol Hill (and the first Congressional witness to ever attempt to eat his microphone!). Though staff and representatives were amused with this presence, Elmo’s mission was a very serious one, as he was there to advocate for increased funding for music education in public schools.

Image: Maureen Keating, Public domain

Beyond presiding over the Senate and casting tie-breaking votes, the Vice President plays a multifaceted role in the U.S. Congress. As the second-highest-ranking official in the executive branch, the Vice President often serves as a liaison between the White House and Capitol Hill, advocating for administration priorities and engaging in legislative negotiations. Additionally, the Vice President may also assume leadership roles in specific policy initiatives, reflecting their broader influence within the federal government.

Image: US Capitol, Public domain

Established in 1793, the Architect of the Capitol is tasked with overseeing the maintenance, preservation, and renovation of the iconic buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. The position is directly appointed by the President of the United States for a 10-year term. Although the role of Architect of the Capitol didn’t exist at the time, William Thornton is recognized as the "first architect," for his design of the U.S. Capitol in 1789.

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Before the construction of the Capitol building, the U.S. Congress convened in various locations, including Federal Hall in New York City and Congress Hall in Philadelphia. These historic sites served as the backdrop for key legislative debates and the drafting of foundational documents, such as the Bill of Rights.

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A longstanding culinary tradition in the U.S. Senate, bean soup has been served in the Senate dining room for over a century. The soup consists mainly of navy beans, ham hocks, and onion, but in the past, it often included celery, garlic, and parsley. Legend has it that Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho insisted on the dish's inclusion on the menu, citing its affordability and nutritional value.

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Who knew senators had a sweet tooth? A tradition that was started in 1965 by California senator George Murphy, the "candy desk" is exactly what you would expect: a drawer filled to the brim with assorted candy where other members of the Senate can go and grab something to chew on during lengthy debates and voting sessions. However, the candy desk is not a specific desk in the Senate Chamber but a sort of unofficial position a senator assumes, making him responsible for keeping the desk stocked.