Clarkson University - Clarksonian Yearbook (Potsdam, NY)

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Charles W. Eaton Director 1896-1897 It was in September of 1894 that the people of Pots- dam first began to hear talk of a new school to be built in Potsdam. The tragic death of Thomas S. Clark- son in August of that year spurred his three sisters, Elizabeth, Frederica, and Lavinia to put into realistic and living form the cherished ideas of their brother: to build a school to aid young men and women who show a desire to aid themselves. An institute of tech- nology was contemplated as a living memorial to their brother. Plans for the building were submitted by Ar- chitect Edgar A. Josselyn of New York and in June, 1895, ground was broken and the building began to take shape. Charles W. Eaton, a professor at Pratt In- stitute in Brooklyn was given the position of Director of the Thomas S. Clarkson Memorial School of Tech- nology. His duties were to take charge of the erection of the school building, and to provide for the equip- ment and organization of the school until it was fully opened. On March 19, 1896, the board of Regents granted a charter for the school and on September 2, the doors opened for 5 young men in the prep class, 8 men in the freshman class and 4 women in domestic science. 2