Luthera Harriet Adams

Class of 1867: First graduating class

Luthera Harriet Adams was one of the four members of the first graduation class of 1867 at Ripon College. She also received an advanced degree in 1870.

She was born July 31, 1841, and came from Omro, Wisconsin. At Ripon, she studied in the classical course. It took seven years to complete her degree because her attendance was frequently interrupted by teaching school in Waupun and Omro to earn funds with which to continue.

She was head of the department of Greek and Latin and also taught mathematics at Ripon College from 1867-1876. She then left to care for her widowed father at the family home in Omro and privately coached and taught students who were preparing for college. She was instrumental in sending many new students to Ripon College. She was a frequent and beloved visitor at Ripon College Commencements and lived to be the oldest alumnus of the College at that time.

She died Feb. 14, 1929, at the age of 87.