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Sullivan H. McCollester
(1872-1878)
Rev. Sullivan H. McCollester was born in Marlborough, New Hampshire on December 18, 1826. During his childhood he worked on his family farm and went to local schools. He attended seminaries and academies in Massachusetts and Vermont and at the age of 18 commenced teaching in Walpole, Massachusetts.
In 1847, McCollester entered Norwich University in Vermont and graduated in the summer of 1851, having completed the classical course. He later graduated from Harvard Divinity School. He was given the degree of D.D. by St. Lawrence University in 1874 and Doctor of Letters by Buchtel College in 1908. McCollester served as principal of four different academies and seminaries in New England before serving for three years as Commissioner of Education for the State of New Hampshire.
On September 22, 1872, McCollester was installed as the first president of Buchtel College, his official title being “President of the Faculty.” He also held the title Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy. In addition to teaching, McCollester’s duties included planning a curriculum, working out a schedule prospectus, and assisting the trustees in recruiting a faculty. He guided the college during its formative years seeing it through its opening, initial classes, and first commencement.
During his time as President, McCollester organized the Universalist Church of Akron and married Sophia F. Knight, around 1873. They had four children, but only one survived. McCollester resigned in 1878 for unknown reasons, but perhaps due to the declining financial situation at the College.
McCollester travelled extensively and wrote about his travels. He also contributed to Universalist publications. After leaving Buchtel College, McCollester held pastorates in Bellows Falls, Vermont and Dover, New Hampshire. He later went on to become a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1889-1890. In 1886, he became minister and educator-at-large in his native town of Marlboro, where he resided until his death on May 22, 1921.
“The mission of the college is to . . . lead the young to the tree of knowledge full of ripe and inviting fruit, stimulating them with the determination to climb hard and high, and, if possible, pluck it. This is the exalted work of the college.”
– Rev. Sullivan H. McCollester
From The University of Akron Photographs Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
This photograph shows the incorporators and trustees of Buchtel College in front of the completed Main College Building (now known as Old Buchtel Hall). John R. Buchtel, the greatest benefactor and namesake of the College, can be seen in the driver’s seat of the carriage. President McCollester stands thirteenth from the left in the center while his successor, Everett L. Rexford, is pictured tenth from the left.
From The University of Akron Publications Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
Sullivan H. McCollester was installed as the first President of Buchtel College on September 22, 1872. After an invocation, reading of the scriptures, prayers, and addresses by notable Universalists, Buchtel College founder John R. Buchtel read the president’s charge and McCollester delivered his inaugural address.
From The University of Akron Publications Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
Sullivan H. McCollester’s inaugural address was entitled “The Educational Demands of the Nation.” In the speech he emphasized the college’s duty to train the body of the student, to teach him to think, and most important, to discipline his conscience and strengthen his will. In his words, only in this fashion could the college strengthen democracy which was its true mission.
From The University of Akron Photographs Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
President McCollester led Buchtel College through its earliest days, including the teaching of its first classes. This image shows Dr. Carl F. Kolbe, Professor of Modern Languages, teaching the first recitation class at the College, on September 11, 1872. When the College started, it had 46 collegiate and 171 preparatory students.
From The University of Akron Publications Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
President McCollester saw Buchtel College through its first commencement ceremonies in 1873 when the Bachelor of Science was conferred upon Susie Chamberlain, James Pierce, Charles Saxe, and Anna Sisler for the successful completion of the two-year philosophical course. Ten additional degrees were awarded the following year, including to Emory Prior, descendent of the founders of Northampton Township.
From The University of Akron Faculty Publications Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
McCollester travelled extensively and wrote about his travels. He also contributed greatly to Universalist publications. His writings include “After Thoughts of Foreign Travel in Historic Lands and Capital Cities,” “Babylon and Nineveh through American Eyes,” “Mexico, Old and New–A Wonderland,” and “Round the World in Old and New Paths,” seen here.
“In President McCollester, Buchtel had a representative before the public that would do credit to any college.”
– Professor George A. Peckham