The Founders' Society of Dickinson College Plaque (Photos at top include: Benjamin Rush, John Dickinson, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and John Marshall). Text: Dr. Benjamin Rush founded Dickinson College to prepare students to be leaders in the newly chartered United States. Rush's vision for education stressed not only acquiring liberal knowledge, but more importantly using this knowledge to advance society in a rapidly changing world. In 1803, the college's central administration building burned to the ground. Despite initial despair, Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol, offered to draw up plans for a new college hall. Private donations from individuals such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Dickinson, Benjamin Rush and John Marshall ensured a swift reconstruction. West College, or "Old West" as it is commonly known, hosted its first classes in November 1805. Members of the Founders' Society of Dickinson College join with these esteemed benefactors in upholding the ideals that established both our college and our nation. Just as the democratic experience cannot survive without the support of an educated and engaged citizenry, Dickinson could not survive without the generosity of its alumni and friends. Through the enduring commitments of the members of the Founders' Society, Dr. Rush's vision and Dickinson's revolutionary spirit are shepherded from their 18th-century inception into their contemporary realization.
In memory of
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Maintenance
Plaque created for inaugural installation and celebration: Friday, May 6, 2011
Status
Active
Tree Species
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Location
Plaque located in hallway of Memorial Hall, Old West
