Utica College of Syracuse University names first president: This week in history

Frank Tomaino
·4 min read

1963, 61 years ago

He's the first

Dr. J. Kenneth Donahue is appointed the first president of Utica College of Syracuse University (today Utica University). Since the college first opened in September 1946, its chief executive officers have been deans -- Dr. Winton Tolles, Dr. Ralph F. Strebel and Dr. James Harrison.

The United States was only 15 years old and George Washington had been president for only two years when, in 1791, the New Hartford Presbyterian Church was founded. Here it is in 1890. The church exists today and continues to be active.
The United States was only 15 years old and George Washington had been president for only two years when, in 1791, the New Hartford Presbyterian Church was founded. Here it is in 1890. The church exists today and continues to be active.

Syracuse Chancellor William P. Tolley says, "In view of the strength and size of the college and the duties and responsibilities of its chief executive officer, we are appointing Dr. Donahue as president rather than dean. He will be responsible for both the financial and academic leadership."

The 58-year-old Donahue has been chairman of the Division of Biological and Physical Sciences and acting dean since Harrison resigned in 1962. After graduating from schools in New Haven, Connecticut, Donahue earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology at the University of Iowa in 1930 and master's and doctorate degrees at Princeton University in 1932-33. He was one of Utica College's founding professors in 1946.

1924, 100 years ago

Utica Globe

For the first time in 43 years, Utica's Saturday Globe -- the country's first national newspaper -- will not make its weekly appearance on newsstands in Utica and across the nation. It stopped publishing this week. Circulation has dropped from a high of 294,000 in the early 1890s to the current 50,000. The decrease is blamed on the appearance of other daily and weekly illustrated national newspapers.

In 1881, Thomas Baker, a Utica printer, had an idea for a different kind of newspaper -- one that would use illustrations -- some in color -- with many of its major news stories. In 1885, the very successful Globe erected a large office and printing plant on the north side of Whitesboro Street just west of Bagg's Square. (It later was occupied by the Horrocks-Ibbotson fishing tackle plant.)

1949, 75 years ago

Lions celebrate

The Lions Club of Utica celebrates its 25th anniversary with a party in Hotel Utica. John S. Friedel is president of the club.

1974, 50 years ago

Riffle named

Jack B. Riffle is the new president of the Utica Mutual Insurance Company.

The New York Mills Sportsmen's Club awards fishing prizes to members Jim Collis, Norm Kaczor, Ed Baker, Bob Andreski, Ted Wajda, Tom Rogowski and Bill Girvan.

1999, 25 years ago

Woodstock coming!

The country's top rock and pop stars will perform at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome in July for Woodstock '99 is coming to town. The festival is expected to attract 250,000 music lovers.

Joe White has been named grand marshal of this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Utica. He is vice president of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and past president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. White coached Notre Dame High School basketball for 15 years and in 1968 took the team to Ireland.

In high school hockey, Whitesboro defeats Fulton, 6-2, getting goals from Justin Riley, Josh Hornesky, Kyle Bostic, Mitch Moran, Eric Lanahan and Jason Engelhart.

Three area students receive scholarships from the SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome (today SUNY Poly.) They are: Nikki Wood of Sauquoit, a graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC); Nicole Duffy of Yorkville, a graduate of Herkimer County Community College (HCCC), and John Molanare of Deerfield, a graduate of MVCC.

2014, 10 years ago

Donovan retires

Donna Hagemann Donovan retires after 40 years in journalism, which has included being the first woman in many top editor positions with Gannett. She is president and publisher of the Observer-Dispatch. "I have had an absolutely wonderful, remarkable life in this business," she says.

The Utica Police Department promotes 11 officers. Lieutenants now captains are Michael Zdanowicz and Edward Noonan. Sergeants now lieutenants are Peter Scalise, Steven Hauck, Charles Kelly and Donald Cinque. Officers now sergeants are Edin Selimovic, Bryan Coromato, James Laurey, Ashley Berger and Christopher Faniglula.

The Utica police also pay tribute to one of their fallen officers --Thomas M. Lindsay. He was killed during a traffic stop in 2007. Part of Route 5A has been designated the Thomas Lindsay Memorial Highway. Chief Mark Williams says, "Obviously, a great day for us. Not only do we get a chance to honor a fallen officer, but we get to promote officers who will make up the new command and structure for the Utica Police Department."

Dean Kelly, of New Hartford, leaves for Russia where he will manage curling event statistics during the Winter Olympics. Kelly -- president of Jay-K Lumber -- is a member of the Utica Curling Club and has

been curling for 40 years.

Trivia quiz

At his death, President Abraham Lincoln's estate was valued at (a) $26,051, (b) $87,333, (c) $110,294, (d) $301,421. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: On March 4, 1933, Cordel Hull, of Tennessee, was chosen by the new President Franklin D. Roosevelt to be secretary of state. Hull served for nearly 11 years, until Dec. 1, 1944, when ill health forced him to retire. No secretary of state has served longer. He is credited with helping to organize the United Nations and in 1945 won a Nobel Peace Prize.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Locals named to positions, looking at newspaper: This week in history