William C. Kenyon
The first president of Alfred University, William Colgrove Kenyon, was born on October 22, 1812 in Richmond, Rhode Island. His family experienced such poverty that at age five; he was
"bound out" to a guardian. At age 19 he was able to buy out the rest of his time and was free. He worked as a machinist until he was 24 and entered Union College, in 1836. He came to Alfred in 1839 as principal of Alfred Select School. Two years later on August 5, 1840 he married Melissa Ward. When Alfred University was founded in 1857 he was selected as the first president. In 1863 Melissa Ward Kenyon died. President Kenyon remarried to Ida S. Long in September of 1864. In 1865, due to failing health, he retired as president but continued to be an active member of the University community until his death on June 7, 1867. He was in London, England and had tickets to begin his journey back to Alfred the next day.
