Union College
an American institution of learning established in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1795 by several religious denominations, from which fact it derives its name. It was the first nonsectarian college incorporated in the United States. The movement for the founding of such an institution was inaugurated in 1779, when 500 citizens of eastern and northern New York petitioned the Legislature in its behalf. This request was refused, but an academy was started in Schenectady in 1785, which on Feb. 25, 1795, became Union College.
UNIONTOWN The first president was the Rev. John Blair Smith. In 1804 the Rev. Eliphalet Nott was elected president and held the office till 1866, the longest term of service of any college president in the history of the United States. During his incumbency Union College became one of the best known educational institutions in the country. The Dudley Observatory, the Albany Law School and the Albany Medical College became parts of it in 1873. There are also separate departments in civil engineering and pharmacy. The reports for 1919 showed: Professors and instructors, 42; students, 466; president, C. A. Richmond, LL. D.