William S. Brockway

Founder

William Stevens Brockway was born in 1825. In Ripon, he was a young merchant and a trustee of the First Congregational Church of Ceresco.

To raise money to continue construction of the College, the Lyceum of Ripon directors issued stock for purchase. On Jan. 1, 1851, they met and needed to decide on a name for the College to add to the charter application.

Brockway was a first-time attendee of a board meeting. Secretary Alvan E. Bovay recorded: “On motion of Mr. Northrup, the honor of giving a name to the college was put up at auction. Bidding spirited. Finally stuck off to Mr. Brockway for $250 donation. Thereupon it was unanimously resolved to call our institution Brockway College.”

Brockway subscribed with his brother-in-law, E.L. Northrup, the treasurer of the directors.

The charter was approved Jan. 29, 1851, and it listed Brockway as one of the incorporators of Brockway College. He remained a Trustee until his death Aug. 22, 1853, at age 28.

The name of the College was changed to Ripon College in 1864. Today, Brockway Hall, one of The Quads residence halls, is named in Brockway’s honor.