History Lewis & Clark College

albany college administration building.

like many modern universities, institution become lewis & clark intended provide secondary higher education specific religious community, in case presbyterian pioneers in oregon s willamette valley. end presbyterian church incorporated albany academy in 1858, making lewis & clark 1 of 4 oregon colleges foundations predating oregon s statehood (along willamette university, pacific university, , linfield college).

within decade of founding, albany academy began focus more exclusively on higher education, changing official name albany collegiate institution in 1866. lewis & clark s official founding date comes current charter, has been legally valid since presbyterian church reincorporated albany collegiate institution albany college in 1867. unlike oregon colleges of pioneer-era, college has been coeducational since first class, graduated in 1873. campus of 7 acres (2.8 ha) in albany situated on land donated monteith family. in 1892, original school building enlarged, , in 1925 school relocated south of albany remained until 1937.

albany college established junior college north in portland in 1934, entire school moving portland in 1939. campus grounds later became home federal government s albany research center. in 1942 college trustees acquired lloyd frank (of historic portland department store meier & frank) “fir acres” estate in southwest portland, , school name changed lewis & clark college. original school mascot, pirates, changed pioneers in 1946.