Calhoun College
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| Calhoun College | |
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| Established | 1933 |
| Sister House | Kirkland House |
| Master | Jonathan Holloway |
| Dean | Stephen Lassonde |
Calhoun College is a residential college of Yale University.
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[edit] Early history
In 1641, John Brockton established a farm on the plot of land that is now Calhoun College. After the Revolutionary War an inn was constructed that would later become the meeting place of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
From 1863 until 1874 the land was home to Yale's divinity school.
In 1933, with the institution of the new residential college system at Yale, the dormitory at the corner of College and Elm Streets became Calhoun College, named for John C. Calhoun, B. A. 1804, alumnus, statesman, and orator. His statue stands in Yale's Harkness Tower. It should be noted that Calhoun College was so named, as were many of the other residential colleges, for illustrious sons of Eli. There is no direct connection between the college and the man, and he is neither founder nor patron.
Like all other residential colleges at their inception, Calhoun had twenty-four hour guard service and the gates were never locked. Jacket and tie was the necessary attire in the dining hall and meals were served at the table.
At first, Calhoun was considered an undesirable college because of its location at the corner of College and Elm, where trolleys frequently ran screeching around the corner. This perception of Calhoun changed under the popular Master Charles Schroeder, who once remarked that if the despicable trolley service were ever removed he would purchase a trolley car, put it in the courtyard, and hold a celebration to commemorate the event. The trolley system was indeed removed in 1949, and though a whole car proved unfeasible, Master Schroder secured the fare collecting machine from a trolley and made good on his promise to celebrate. Thus was born Trolley Night, a proud tradition of the college.
The coat of arms designed for Calhoun College combines the university arms, set atop the Cross of St. Andrew. The college colors are black, navy blue, and gold.
[edit] Recent events
In 1989, Calhoun was the first residential college to be renovated. The renovations, mostly funded by alumnus Roger Horchow, were done quickly and over the summer to minimize disruption to student life. By 2000, the physical plant began to show wear and tear again.
2005 saw the retirement of William and Betsy Sledge as Master and Associate Master of Calhoun. They were succeeded by Dr. Jonathan Holloway (PhD '95) and his wife Aisling Colón.
In the same year a limited window replacement was commissioned amid Calhoun's controversial exclusion from the most recent campus-wide renovation effort.
Though partially renovated in 1989, Calhoun College is scheduled for a full-scale renovation in the 2008-09 schoolyear.
The current Dean, historian Stephen Lassonde, is the longest-serving dean in the College's history.
[edit] Controversy
A debate over the appropriateness of the college's name has waxed and waned, as John C. Calhoun's involvement in antebellum pro-state's-rights politics and protection of the institution of slavery has been reconsidered. Calhoun never had significant involvement in Yale after his student years and was never a benefactor, though at the time the college was named, the prevailing view of Calhoun was that of an exceptional statesman and principled Senator. In 1992, the graduating seniors commissioned a plaque noting the unfortunate reality of John C. Calhoun's legacy, but at the same time supporting the notion that the college retain its name for historical purposes.
[edit] Unique features
The courtyard has a popular tire swing, which stands in stark contrast to the stunning gothic architecture. In the Fall of 1990, newly appointed master Turan Onat made it his first priority to remove the tire swing as he sought "to restore the courtyard to a grassier state." The seniors immediately reinstalled the swing overnight and Onat quickly reversed his policy.
Calhoun used to be the only residential college with its own sauna. 1 Unfortunately, the sauna was removed from Entryway B/C during the 2005-06 school year.
Though Calhoun has not recently been a serious contender for the Tyng Cup (awarded each year to the college that accumulates the most points in intramural athletic events), Calhoun freshmen have won 4 of the last 5 Freshmen Olympics, held each spring on Old Campus.
[edit] Masters and deans
| Masters of Calhoun College | Term |
|---|---|
| Arnold Whitridge (grandson of poet Matthew Arnold) | 1933-42 |
| John Charles Schroeder | 1942-54 |
| Archibald Smith Foord | 1955-64 |
| B. Davie Napier | 1964-66 |
| R. W. B. Lewis | 1966-72 |
| Charles T. Davis | 1973-80 |
| B. Davie Napier | 1980-84 |
| Ramsay MacMullen | 1984-90 |
| E. Turan Onat | 1990-95 |
| William H. Sledge | 1995-2005 |
| Jonathan Holloway | 2005-present |
| Deans of Calhoun College | Term |
|---|---|
| Stephen Windsor Reed | 1963-66 |
| Jefferey Barnouw | 1966-69 |
| Robert Wilhelm | 1969-72 |
| Eustace Theodore | 1972-81 |
| Nancy Baker | 1981-82 |
| David Spadafora | 1982-85 |
| John Godfrey | 1985-89 |
| Chris Taylor | 1989-91 |
| David Schwartz | 1991-1993 |
| Stephen Lassonde | 1993-present |
[edit] External links
| Residential Colleges of Yale University |
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