History - Albright College

Albright College is Berks County’s oldest institution of higher learning, founded in 1856 and proudly located on a 118-acre campus at the base of Mount Penn in Reading, Pennsylvania.

From the very beginning, Albright has been about more than tradition—it’s been about transformation.

Shaped by a series of bold mergers and moves, the college carries forward a legacy of innovation that fuels the Albright of today: a community where curiosity meets opportunity, and where your education is designed to be as unique as your ambitions.

Building a Bright Future

At Albright, you won’t be limited to one path—you’ll create your own. Nearly half of our students combine two or three fields of study, and more than 90% graduate with degrees that blend a powerful liberal arts foundation with workforce-ready preparation. Here, collaborative teaching, flexible programs, and a vibrant campus culture empower you to connect ideas, discover your passions, and prepare for a future that’s entirely yours. At Albright, you don’t just earn a degree—you build a bright future.

Presidential History

Albright College (Myerstown)

1st President: Clellan Asbury Bowman, Ph.D. (1898 – 1902)
2nd President: James D. Woodring, D.D. (1902- 1908)
3rd President: Clellan Asbury Bowman, Ph.D. (1908 – 1909)
4th President: John Francis Dunlap, D.D. (1909 – 1915)
5th President: Levi C. Hunt, D.D. (1915 – 1923)
6th President: Clellan Asbury Bowman, Ph.D. (1923 – 1928)

Albright College (Reading)

7th President: Warren F. Teel, Ph.D. (1928 – 1932)
8th President: John W. Klein, Ph.D. (1932 – 1938)
9th President: Harry V. Masters, Ph.D. (1938 – 1965)
10th President: Arthur L. Schultz, Ph.D. (1965 – 1977)
1977-1978 Morley J. Mays, Ph.D. (interim)
11th President: David G. Ruffer, Ph.D. (1978 – 1991)
1991-1992 Marvin Wachman, Ph.D. (interim)
12th President: Ellen S. Hurwitz, Ph.D. (1992 – 1999)
13th President: Henry A. Zimon, Ph.D. (1999 – 2004)
2004-2005 David C. Stinebeck, Ph.D. (interim)
14th President: Lex O. McMillan III, Ph.D. (2005 – 2017)
15th President: Jacquelyn S. Fetrow, Ph.D. ’82 (2017 – 2024)
2024-2025 Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D. (interim)
16th President: Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D. (2025 to present)

Religious History

Albright College is proud to be a multifaith community where students of all backgrounds are supported in both their academic and spiritual journeys. Rooted in a historic affiliation with the United Methodist Church, Albright continues to honor its evangelical and Methodist heritage while welcoming a rich diversity of faith traditions on campus. Associate chaplains, student-led groups like Albright Christian Fellowship and Hillel, and spaces such as the Multifaith Center all create opportunities for reflection, connection, and growth.

This inclusive spirit echoes the vision of Jacob Albright, the Pennsylvania German preacher for whom the college is named. Greatly influenced by Methodist teachings, Albright became the founder of the Evangelical Association, a movement that later helped shape the United Methodist Church. His legacy lives on in the college’s commitment to community, service, and respect for all faiths. Whether through worship, dialogue, or interfaith programming, Albright empowers students to explore meaning, purpose, and belonging in ways that prepare them for lives of leadership and compassion.

History of Religious Ties

History of Religious Ties

Evangelical Association (1803 – 1922)
1803 Evangelical Association started by Jacob Albright.
1856 Evangelical Association establishes Union Seminary, New Berlin Pa.
1881 Evangelical Association establishes Schuylkill Seminary, Reading, Pa.
1887 Union Seminary becomes Central Pennsylvania College under its affiliation with the Evangelical Association.

United Evangelical Church (1895 – 1922)
1895 United Evangelical Church formed by members of the Evangelical Association after a schism within the association.
1895 United Evangelical Church establishes Albright Collegiate Institute, Myerstown Pa.
1898 Albright Collegiate Institute becomes Albright College at Myerstown.
1902 Central Pennsylvania College (formerly Union Seminary) merges into Albright College at Myerstown, changing its affiliation from the

Evangelical Association to the United Evangelical Church
1902 Schuylkill Seminary moves to the present Albright campus, purchasing what is today Selwyn Hall.
1905 Schuylkill Seminary creates the School of Theology associated with the Evangelical Association.

Evangelical Church (1922 – 1946)
1922 Evangelical Association and United Evangelical Church reunite to become the Evangelical Church.
1923 Schuylkill Seminary becomes Schuylkill College.
1923 Schuylkill Seminary School of Theology becomes the Evangelical School of Theology, more commonly known as “The Angel Factory.” This is a completely independent college located on the second floor of what is today Masters Hall.
1928 Albright College at Myerstown and Schuylkill College merge to become Albright College at Reading.
1928 The Evangelical School of Theology constructs its own building, which is today known as Teel Hall.

Evangelical United Brethren Church (1946 – 1968)
1946 Evangelical Church merges with the United Brethren Church to form The Evangelical United Brethren Church.
1954 Evangelical School of Theology merges with Bonebrake Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio, to become the United Theological Seminary (UTS), moving all staff and students to Dayton and giving Teel Hall back to Albright College. UTS is still in operation today in Dayton.

The United Methodist Church (1968 – Present)
1968 Evangelical United Brethren Church merges with Methodist Church to become The United Methodist Church.

Seal and Alma Mater

SEAL

The Albright College seal was designed in 1902 followed by the composition of the school’s Alma Mater in 1903.

ALMA MATER

Composed by H.L. Bagenstose, professor of English language, literature and education

(first verse, chorus twice)
Come cheer Alma Mater with song and with laughter.
And fling abroad her colors, Red and White.
O’er hill, dale and valley now bid the echoes rally,
and sing aloud the praises of Albright.

Chorus
Hail! Hail! The Red and the White!
Hail Alma Mater with a cheer!
With eyes bright and glancing,
the Red and White advancing,
We’ll sing the praise of Alma Mater dear.