In 1846, the Northumberland Baptist Association canvassed the hills and valleys of central Pennsylvania by stagecoach, canal boat and horseback, looking for money to start a new school. That fall, with donations given by thrifty churchmen ranging from 25¢ to $25,000,* the school that was to become Bucknell University held its first classes—22 students meeting with two professors in the Baptist Church basement in quiet Lewisburg, Pa.
For a long while Bucknell's faculty and students had a hard struggle. At the first commencement in 1851, seven sheepish seniors took turns wearing the only...
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