Princeton University: From Religious Roots to Global Academic Leadership

Princeton University, one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the United States, has a storied history dating back to 1746. Originally named the College of New Jersey, it was founded to educate ministers in the Presbyterian tradition. Initially located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, it moved to Newark and ultimately to Princeton in 1756. This last relocation proved to be enduring, as it allowed the college to grow and establish a permanent campus.

In its early years, Princeton was strongly focused on religious education and moral philosophy, consistent with its Presbyterian roots. However, as the 19th century progressed, the college broadened its academic offerings to include natural sciences, literature, and the humanities. This shift marked Princeton's transition into a more comprehensive educational institution. In 1896, the College of New Jersey was renamed Princeton University, signaling its transformation and the expansion of its graduate programs, which further solidified its place among the nation’s premier research institutions.

Princeton has produced many notable alumni and faculty who have contributed significantly to various fields. Among its graduates are two U.S. Presidents: James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," and Woodrow Wilson, who later returned to serve as Princeton’s president from 1902 to 1910. Under Wilson’s leadership, Princeton introduced the preceptorial system, a teaching method that combines lectures with small-group discussions led by faculty, fostering a more engaging academic environment. Princeton has also produced Nobel laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and Fields Medal recipients, reinforcing its legacy of intellectual achievement.

The campus is celebrated for its stunning Gothic architecture and historic landmarks, with Nassau Hall as its most iconic building. Completed in 1756, Nassau Hall played a significant role in American history, serving briefly as the capital of the United States in 1783. Today, it remains a symbol of Princeton’s heritage and prestige.

Princeton University continues to lead in research and innovation. Known for its rigorous academic programs and distinguished faculty, it consistently ranks among the world’s top universities. The university is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant intellectual community, supporting cutting-edge research in fields from quantum computing to public policy, and offering generous financial aid to ensure accessibility. Princeton’s evolution from a small religious college to a global academic leader reflects its adaptability, commitment to excellence, and influence in shaping leaders and advancing knowledge.
Princeton University: From Religious Roots to Global Academic Leadership

New York Public Library: the second largest public library in the United States

The New York Public Library (NYPL) comprises simultaneously a set of scholarly research collections, a network of community libraries, and a range of robust digital resources available through the Internet and its libraries.

One-time governor Samuel Jones Tilden upon his death bequeathed the bulk of his fortune — about $2.4 million — to "establish and maintain a free library and reading room in the city of New York."

Samuel J. Tilden (1814-1886) served as Governor of New York, 1875-1876, and was the Democratic nominee for the Presidency in 1876.

At the time of Tilden's death, New York already had two private libraries - the Astor and Lenox libraries. The Astor Library, John Jacob Astor’s legacy, built on Lafayette Street in 1854 was a scholarly reference collection; The Lenox Library, founded by the bibliophile philanthropist James Lenox in 1877, held special literary treasures and galleries of painting and sculpture. Both the Astor and Lenox libraries were experiencing financial difficulties in 1892.

In May 23, 1895, the resources of the John Jacob Astor and James Lenox libraries and the Tilden Trust are combined to form a new entity, to be known as The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.

In 1901, Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donates $5.2 million (the equivalent to $160 million today) to purchase land and build branch libraries that formed the backbone of The New York Public Library's circulating system.

The library’s central building at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City opened to the public on May 23rd, 1911.
New York Public Library: the second largest public library in the United States

1862 Morrill Act

Commonly known as the First Morrill Act, the act of July 2, 1862, "provided grants of federal lands to the several states and Territories which may establish Colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts," extending higher education from the privileged few to the many.

The land-grant mission — to serve the common good through accessible education, problem-solving research and outreach to the community and this led to the establishment of a group of higher institutions, at least one in each State.

The new land-grant institutions, opened opportunities to thousands of farmers and working people previously excluded from higher education.

The Morrill Act, named after its sponsor Vermont congressman Justin Morrill and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 2, 1862, committed the Federal Government to grant each state 30,000 acres of public land issued in the form of “land scrip” certificates for each senator and representative in its congressional delegation.
1862 Morrill Act

Ivy league universities in United States

There are many private universities in the United States, including the most prestigious Ivy League. These institutions have the same fee structure, regardless of residence or nationality. The phrase “Ivy League” arose as a nickname for eight research universities in the northern United States.

They tend to be very expensive, but are also likely to have more open scholarship for which foreign nationals are eligible to apply.

They are very competitive, The eight Ivy League universities: Brown Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale. These are the American universities with the most stringent application processes, strict eligibility requirements and highest costs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Duke University, Northwestern University and the University of Virginia, also have highly selective admission requirements and confer social and economic benefits on par with the traditional Ivy League.

Gain admission to any of these institutions and the student will receive a first-class education, the promise of an impressive resume, and career enhancing membership in a tightly woven network of alumni relations.

Ivy League universities are well-established intuitions and are said to have got their name from the ivy plants which frequently grow on the sides of their magnificent old buildings. Ivy League members accept only a small percentage of those who apply. As a whole, they admit only about 18% of their applicants.
Ivy league universities in united states

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

William E. Ritter (1856-1944) was a zoologist at the University of California in Berkeley when he decided that his life’s work was to found a marine biological station on the west coast.

It was then he met Edward Willis Scripps (1854-1926) and his sister Ellen Browning Scripps (1836-1932).  Edwards was the owner of many so-called penny newspapers in the United States, designed to bring news to the general public, was also a yachtsman who sought relaxation at sea.

While Ellen Browning, was a major benefactor in the San Diego are and beyond (hospital, college, science and other projects).

The Scripps family provided almost all of the operating funds for the station from 1903 to 1912. The name of the station was Marine Biological Association of San Diego (1903-1912) and Scripps Institution for Biological Research (1912-1925).

The station began in 1892 as a portable laboratory-in-a-tent.  Its first permanent buildings were erected in 1905 on a site purchased with funds donated Scripps family.

From 1912, when the station became part of the University of California, until their deaths, E.W Scripps and Ellen Browning Scripps matched the state support for the institution.

E. W. Scripps personally donated over forty thousand dollars. He donated his yacht as the institution’s first ship, the E. W. Scripps.

He initiated the idea of operating a pulse aquarium at the station and he convinced Ritter to purchase the one hundred and seventy acre pueblo lot in La Jolla where the institution stands today.

The first chemical laboratory at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography was founded by Erik G. Moberg in 1930. This was the beginning of a tradition of excellence on chemical oceanography and marine chemistry that continuous to the present.

By October 1925 its name was change to Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography