Samuel Valentine Cole

Samuel Valentine Cole (1851-1925) was born in Machiasport, Maine and was educated at Washington Academy. He received his undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College in 1877. After graduation he worked as a tutor and instructor at the college. During this time he also taught classical languages at high schools in Bath, Maine and Williamston, Massachusetts. Later he also received an A.M. in 1877, D.D. in 1898, and LL.D. in 1912 all from Bowdoin College. In 1889 Cole attended Andover Theological Seminary.

After he completed his studies he became minister of the Broadway Trinitarian Congregational Church in Taunton, Massachusetts. During his time there his sermons gained the attention of Mrs. Wheaton, in fact she recommended him to Wheaton's Board of Trustees in 1893. Samuel Valentine Cole was appointed principal of Wheaton Seminary in 1897. His main vision for the Seminary was for it to become a four-year college. In 1912 Cole's vision came true when Wheaton Seminary officially became Wheaton College and Cole became Wheaton's first president. Samuel Valentine Cole died while still president in 1925. During his time at Wheaton, twelve major buildings were added to the campus along with Cole Chapel, which was later named in his memory. Cole also improved the curriculum to include courses in English, History, Philosophy, Bible, Foreign Language, Science, and Mathematics. By the end of his term as President the Associate's Degree had been phased out and graduates received their Bachelor's Degree upon completion of studies. Finally Cole increased the size of the faculty to include thirty-three full time and three part time members, creating a ten to one student/faculty ratio.

Marriages

Samuel Valentine Cole's first wife, Annie Talbot Cole, died in 1906 and he later married Helen Wieand (1885-1965) in 1917. Helen was a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, a member of the Classics Department at Wheaton from 1911-1915 and 1918-1925, and finally a Trustee from 1936-1965. She published numerous poems, books, and articles. In 1938 Helen spoke at Wheaton's Commencement and received an honorary degree. In 1961 Helen established the Helen and Irma Wieand Fellowship for graduate studies in the humanities. She remained in contact with the college until her death in 1965.

Irma C. Wieand

Irma C. Wieand was the sister of Helen Wieand Cole. She was a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and looked into graduate study at different German universities, however, the documents do not reveal whether she actually did study at one. It is apparent, however, that she spent time living or at least traveling in France and Germany. In 1904 she taught high school French in Pottstown, Pennsylvania and documents reveal that she was looking for other teaching positions in following years. Irma was a member of the University of Pennsylvania German Association which was made up of German language teachers and graduates.

William Isaac Cole

William Isaac Cole (1859-1935) was the brother of Samuel Valentine Cole. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1881 and also graduated later from Andover Theological Seminary. Like his brother, William was an academic and produced numerous publications. From 1912-1926 he was a Professor of Applied Sociology at Wheaton. Also during 1913 -1926 he was Wheaton College Treasurer and finally from 1926-1935 he was a Wheaton Trustee. Along with Helen Wieand Cole, he helped to establish the Samuel Valentine Cole Memorial Room located in the Wheaton College Library.