HOULTON, Maine — Plans are underway to celebrate the founding of Ricker Classical Institute and Ricker College, Sept. 7, 8 and 9 in Houlton.
Ricker was originally known as Houlton Academy according to an article written by the late David Hunter Cotton, principal and acting president in 1965. It was founded in 1848 and became Ricker Classical Institute in 1888.
The history of the school is divided into four periods. The Houlton Academy, 1848-1888; the Ricker Classical Institute period, 1888-1967, adding the Ricker Junior College period 1926-1949 and the Ricker College period, 1949 to 1978.
The way was made for the four-year college back in 1926, when the idea of Ricker Junior College was conceived. Many young people who had otherwise not thought about college had the opportunity to attend one here in the community. Then the college came into being through an act of legislature, authorizing the school to grant the bachelor of arts degree. Thus existed a Ricker Classical Institute and a Ricker College, a unique combination of a secondary school and a college.
Education and religion were motivating powers behind the school. The second part of its history witnessed it becoming associated with the Baptist denomination through the efforts of Joseph Ricker, state secretary of the Maine Baptists. He secured the sum of $25,000 from his constituency to help the school in a severe financial crisis. Ricker attracted the interest of Catherine Wording. who gave $30,000 with which to erect an Arts and Science building. Where upon the building became known as Wording Hall and the school was named for Ricker.
The campus included an 8-acre parcel of land fronting Military Street and bordering, High, Heywood and Kelleran Streets. In 1944 it included a Modern Arts building, Wording Hall constructed in 1946 after the original building was destroyed by fire, the Hayes Library with more than 10,000 volumes and Putnam Gymnasium.
In the late 1970s the college fell on hard times. The enrollment that had been as high as 600 during the 1960s had fallen to a few hundred after the Vietnam War. The financial difficulties were basically unknown to the Houlton community until it was too late to save it.
The community sentiments now are that it was a great loss to the area and the downward spiral of many small businesses that were supported by the influx of students from away. Although some faculty members left for other college jobs, some who wanted to stay and turned their talents to secondary schools in the area. Several former students also remained in town and became faculty members of local school districts or entered the business world.
The campus has been repurposed over the years. The site of the dormitories has been replaced with multi-family housing, Wording Hall is now Ricker Plaza, Hayes Library is a private residence, the library built in the late 1960s is the Department of Human Services, the coffee shop and cafeteria became the Wesleyan Church. The one last dorm, East Hall, is home for the Wesleyan Church staff and a place for church classes and events. The gymnasium was torn down.
Since the closing in 1978, reunions have been held sporadically, some in Houlton and others in more metropolitan areas. The last reunion in Houlton was in 2014 when ‘Orleans’, a well-known rock band performed. This group came to Houlton in the early 1970s along with an unknown at the time, Bruce Springsteen who opened for them. Ricker hosted many names who later became very successful entertainers. They included: Brooklyn Bridge, Melanie, Simon and Garfunkle, Richie Havens and The Toys.
Since the last reunion, former friends have communicated through a special Ricker College Friends Facebook page. Reconnecting with former classmates is generating a lot of excitement to make the journey to Houlton for this reunion.
For some, it will be 40 years or more. In 2017, the last graduating class of Ricker Classical Institute held a reunion to commemorate 50 years. They too recalled how their time at Ricker was a very special part of their lives. Even though Ricker closed its doors in 1978 — the memories of time spent in Houlton lives on through all of those students.
Comments made during some of those reunions include:
“Ricker made a great impact on my life. I didn’t do well in high school, but when I came here, the faculty took an interest in me and I received a great education.”
“I initially wanted to get as far away from home as I could, Ricker fit the bill. Little did I know that I would build friendships that have lasted a lifetime.”
“Ricker was like the family I never really had.”
“Everyone in the town was friendly, unlike the city where I came from.”
“My children are getting ready for college now, I am trying to steer them to a small college environment, knowing what an impact it had on me. I didn’t get lost in the crowd.”
Since the closing of Ricker College, endowment funds held by the Board of Trustees have been invested and the interest from those funds has been available for scholarships to benefit Aroostook County students.
Most scholarships awarded are for $1,500 and renewable until the student receives his/her baccalaureate degree or completes the fourth year of a longer program and is in good standing. Applicants must be in the top quarter of their high school graduating class to be considered. Four million dollars in endowment funds has been distributed since 1988, with $161,000 in 2017.
The late David Hunter Cotton was the first administrator of this fund. The current administrator is Gary Bossie. Board members are elected for 12 year terms and current members are: Leigh Cummings, Paul Adams, Alison Bossie, Teran Clark, Bob Askren, Dan Watson, Bob Lyons, Jerry McCarthy, Gerald Riley, Jr. Greg Sherman, Cynthia Thompson, Tina Condon, Martha Bell and Joe Inman all of the Houlton area and Travis Watson of New Brunswick, Canada.
Former students, Meg Leach, Bill Binford, Karen Donato and Pat Cunningham have formed a reunion committee to organize the anniversary celebration at the Shiretown Inn and Suites. Anyone who may have attended either school or has an interest is invited to attend. There will be a social on Friday evening; then on Saturday a tour of the area, the former campus and time to enjoy the downtown followed by a dinner that evening. The celebration will conclude with a brunch on Sunday morning.
Registrations forms can be picked up at the Houlton Pioneer Times, the County Co-op or by contacting RickerReunion@yahoo.com or Karen Donato @207-694-6099. The registration fee is $70 to cover all events of the weekend. If you are unable to attend, but would like to donate to the event make checks payable to Ricker Reunion 2018 and mail to: Meg Leach 53 Arcadia Street Portland, ME 04103.
