Educator. The seventh president of the Pennsylvania State University, he served from 1882 until his death in 1906. During the Civil War, Atherton fought in the Union army, reaching the rank of captain before he was released for health reasons. In 1863 he graduated from Yale and began his teaching career at The Albany Academy in Albany, New York. He also served on the faculties of the University of Illinois and Rutgers prior to his tenure at Penn State. During his administration, Atherton's numerous accomplishments included improved public relations, numerous curricular changes, increased enrollment, and expanded student activities. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was to secure support and recognition from the state of Pennsylvania for its only land-grant institution. This helped to transform Penn State from an agricultural institution to a school of technology. So numerous and vital were his contributions to the college that he is often referred to as "Penn State's second founder."
Educator. The seventh president of the Pennsylvania State University, he served from 1882 until his death in 1906. During the Civil War, Atherton fought in the Union army, reaching the rank of captain before he was released for health reasons. In 1863 he graduated from Yale and began his teaching career at The Albany Academy in Albany, New York. He also served on the faculties of the University of Illinois and Rutgers prior to his tenure at Penn State. During his administration, Atherton's numerous accomplishments included improved public relations, numerous curricular changes, increased enrollment, and expanded student activities. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was to secure support and recognition from the state of Pennsylvania for its only land-grant institution. This helped to transform Penn State from an agricultural institution to a school of technology. So numerous and vital were his contributions to the college that he is often referred to as "Penn State's second founder."
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