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.

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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.

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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.

TIMELESS MELODIES

Let's Sing And Dance To Ten Of The Best Songs Of All Time

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With so many voices, instruments, and melodies over the years, it's a real challenge to name only 10 of the best songs in history. However, some pieces have something that transcends time and trends. We know we've had to omit some iconic hits here (there could be a part two, what do you say?), but here are, in no particular order, 10 songs from the history of music that we've chosen for you. We promise each one has the power to get the whole neighborhood singing along!

Image: Dominik Scythe

Let's start with a classic of classics. It's hard to find an adult who hasn't heard this song at least once in their lifetime. In 1958, the legendary Chuck Berry released an anthem that would define a whole era: "Johnny B. Goode."

A rock and roll masterpiece, you don't even need three seconds of that guitar riff to recognize it and start dancing.

The artist has revealed that this hit has some autobiographical hints, and a quick listen to the lyrics and the title confirms it: Did you know that the talented musician was born at 2520 Goode Avenue in St. Louis?

Image: Vale Arellano

In 1965, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote a song that would become one of the world's most danced-to hits. We're talking about "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones.

Richards' iconic guitar at the beginning of the song is one of the most recognizable hooks in music history! But that's not all; Keith Richards claimed to have recorded that unforgettable guitar riff while he was sleepwalking! When he woke up the next morning, little did he know that he had created a masterpiece destined to be remembered for generations!

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1965 was full of hits, and among them is one of the most famous songs of the legendary Bob Dylan. Ever found yourself singing "Like a Rolling Stone" at the top of your lungs? If not, we highly recommend it.

This hit reached the impressive number 2 spot on the US Billboard charts. But this success came close to never materializing: Rumor has it that, believe it or not, the label hesitated to release the song due to its unusually lengthy duration of nearly 6 minutes.

Image: Duncan Kidd

When it comes to funk, one track stands out above the rest: "Superstition," Stevie Wonder's 1972 hit.

Shortly after it was first released, this hit had already reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It is said that during the recording sessions, Wonder improvised most of the song, complementing the rhythm set by the talented musician Jeff Beck.

Although Wonder and Beck had initially agreed that Beck would release the track first as part of his album, Stevie eventually took the lead and released it first on his Talking Book album.

Just remember: after you listen, give a knock on some wood for good luck!

Image: Robinson Recalde

While the original song was penned and performed by Otis Redding in 1965, Aretha Franklin's 1967 version of "Respect" lives forever in our memories. With an irresistible rhythm and the Queen of Soul's divine voice, this song was crowned by Rolling Stone magazine as the number 1 among the 500 best songs!

Did you know that Franklin's version subtly changes the original lyrics? "Respect" transcended music to become a feminist anthem of its time, helping to question gender roles in our society.

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Standing as one of the most universally recognized and covered songs, "My Way" by Frank Sinatra was recorded over five decades ago, but is still in our hearts.

As many already know, this hit takes its music from the French song "Comme d'habitude" (we highly recommend listening to it if you haven't already.) And it was the talented Paul Anka who wrote the lyrics specifically for our beloved "Ol' Blue Eyes".

Sinatra's charismatic style and voice propelled this song to international fame, surpassing the original in popularity and making it one of the artist's signature pieces.

Image: Noah Näf

Universally acclaimed across generations and continents, Queen's famous 1975 song, "Bohemian Rhapsody," could not be left out of this list.

The opening chorus of voices, questioning, "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?" became an emblematic moment for the band. Furthermore, the song's incredible span of 6 minutes allowed for exploration and combinations of rhythms, styles, and harmonies, separating from the conventional rock norms.

Incredibly, no synthesizers were used during the recording process (which took 3 weeks of work), opting to produce all sounds using traditional voices and instruments!

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Marking a crucial moment for the King's career revival in the 1970s, "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley and its iconic guitar solo is to this day a treasure for Elvis fans and the music world in general.

Originally written and first recorded by American songwriter Mark James, it wasn't until Elvis gave voice to this song that it reached commercial success.

Rumor has it that Elvis was initially uncomfortable with Mark James' presence in the studio, so James decided not to attend the recording session, which took place between 4 and 7 am (yes, the working hours of the King). However, when the song was completed, James was blown away by Elvis' version, a fact that ultimately brought the two artists together.

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Regarded by music specialists as one of the Beatles' finest, if not their absolute best, "A Day in the Life" showcases a mountain of talent in both its musical composition and lyrical prowess.

Released as part of their iconic 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, this piece marked a pivotal moment in music production and had a major impact on the society of its time.

According to Lennon himself, the lyrics were inspired by a news article in the Daily Mail reporting the tragic death of Tara Browne, the young heir to the Guinness fortune.

Image: Bill Fairs

Composed by the legendary Bob Marley and released with his band Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1980 (almost 45 years ago!), this gem transcends time and cultures.

We're talking about none other than "Redemption Song". But what makes it so special? Well, it is generally acclaimed for its deep and meaningful lyrics. Bob Marley was preaching a message of self-liberation that still hits today. This hit is characterized by its acoustic nature; all we hear is a captivating guitar and Marley's moving voice.

But there is much more behind the music. Some historians say that when Bob Marley penned this song, he was dealing with the pain of the illness that would claim his life just a year later.