History

History of Houghton

Located in Houghton (Allegany County), this private, Christian, liberal arts college began in 1883 as a seminary (high school) under the Wesleyan Methodist Connection. Coeducational from its founding, Houghton operated as a secondary school for its first 15 years.

In 1899 a few college classes were offered; the college department's first diploma was awarded in 1901. While early principals were Wesleyan Methodist pastors willing to accept the job, in 1908 Houghton acquired its first academically-trained president, James S. Luckey, who served until his death in 1937.

Houghton College received its provisional charter from New York State in 1923 and awarded its first 19 baccalaureate degrees two years later. A permanent charter was granted in 1927, and accreditation by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges came in 1935.

Stephen W. Paine succeeded Luckey and served as president until 1972. Under Paine’s leadership the college expanded from about 300 students to 1,200, necessitating the addition of new buildings, and the percentage of faculty holding earned doctorates tripled.

Succeeding Paine, Wilbur Dayton served as president from 1972 to 1976. He was instrumental in eliminating current college debt, overseeing construction work on both Houghton and Buffalo campuses, and implementing necessary governance changes. Dr. Dayton was a firm believer that a Houghton education ought to be both academically challenging and firmly Christ-centered.

Daniel R. Chamberlain, president from 1976, oversaw the erecting of several other major campus buildings and an extensive adult degree-completion program. Houghton University continues its historical connection with the Wesleyan Church.

In 2006, Shirley Mullen, a history major from Houghton’s Class of 1976, returned to Houghton as the fifth president. Her passion for the transforming power of Christian liberal arts education in the lives of students was clearly evident from the beginning—shaped by her previous experience in Student Life, as a classroom professor, and as a chief academic officer.

In 2021, the College named Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. as the sixth president of Houghton College.

In 2022, following the approval of the New York State Board of Regents, Houghton College became Houghton University.