College Club History~

1913-14 - The College Club was formally organized at a meeting attended by five graduates and three undergraduates. Miss Nell Doremus was elected President. The aim of the Club was declared  to be "to aid in establishing a women's college at Rutgers." The first fund raiser, a pageant held in the Doremus Orchard, netted $37.00.

1915-16 – The chief aim of the Club became the establishment of a girl's scholarship fund. Club membership reached 35.

1919-21 – The College Club cooperated with the YWCA in a conference on vocations and colleges for girls. The first benefit Bridge Card Party was held. A Fashion Show was added in 1938, Dessert in the fifties, and then a Luncheon in 1968. In 1973 the event was changed to its present Fashion Show-Luncheon format.

1921-23 - The first scholarship was awarded in the sum of $100. The College Club was incorporated and a Constitution adopted. It was voted that $300 be given annually to a Ridgewood High School girl graduate. The Rummage Sale was initiated and held annually through 1968.

1925-27 - For the first time a bulletin, now called a directory, was sent to each member. The By-Laws were amended, changing the meeting day to the first Tuesday of the month.

1929-31 - Club membership reached 200. The regular scholarship amount was increased to $450 and then to $600.The first meeting of the Education Group was held and an initial tea for new members given. A College Club Conference for high school girls was held. The first annual College Club Spring Dance took place.

1933-36 - During this period various book groups and interest groups were formed. These groups continue to change as members' interests change. In 1936 the scholarship total given was raised to $1000.

1939-41 - Profit from the special event, "Gaieties of 1883," was added to the Scholarship Fund, now known as the Education Fund. College Club held its last monthly meeting in a private home; in 1940 the Ridgewood Woman's Club became the official meeting place.

1944 - The College Club initiated the first Concert Series to be held in the area. The Series was presented annually through 1982.

1947 - The Memorial Scholarship Loan Fund was established as part of the work of the Scholarship Committee; both men and women upper- classmen and graduate students were eligible for non-interest loans. In 1971 the Loan Fund was made a separate standing committee.

1954 - The College Club Thrift Shop account was opened.

1956 - The first annual Book Fair was held in Van Neste Square. Location of this fund raiser varied until 1973 when Somerville School became its permanent home.

1958 - Membership qualifications were revised to require a degree from an accredited four year college or university or its equivalent.

1963 - The Fiftieth Anniversary of the College Club was celebrated. Among the distinguished guests was founding president, Miss Nell Doremus.

1968-69 - The first newsletter was sent to all members. The first annual Antiques Show was held, replacing the Rummage Sale.

1970-71 - The Scholarship Committee's name was changed to Grants-in-Aid. Eligibility was extended to Junior College students, and a grants-in-aid program was established for Eastside High School in Paterson. Students in all membership areas were declared eligible for grants.

1974 - The first Jazz Night premiered as a fund raising event and was
repeated annually through 1978.

1977 - The first annual College Club Capers was held at the Woman's Club.

1984-85 - The first "Right in Ridgewood" benefit, succeeding the Concert Series, featured the New Jersey Ballet. Twenty-eight women were honored at the 1985 Annual Meeting for having been College Club members for fifty years. The Club membership list was computerized.

1989 - Gala celebrated passing the one million dollar mark in cumulative Education Fund and M.S.L.F. funding.

1990 - First Book and Author Luncheon held.

1993 - Special Cabaret Evening with Geraldine Fitzgerald for Education Fund  and M.S.L.F.

1993-94 - The Antiques Show celebrated its 25th anniversary.

1995 - Education Fund tops the one million dollar  mark with $1,047,000 going to 2012 women.  M.S.L.F. loans total $476,400 going to 319 men and women.

2000 – The first annual Las Vegas East was held.

2003 – The 90th Anniversary of the College Club is celebrated.

2004 – The Book Fair celebrates its 50th anniversary and inaugerates the College Club of Ridgewood web-site.

2005 – The first bi-annual Women Honoring Women event was held.  In addition to honoring 5 women, the original 8 founding members were posthumously honored.  Also, the first Antiques Rodeo was held.

College Club of Ridgewood, founded in 1913, has a two-fold purpose:

~ To enable qualified students to pursue advanced edugcation through grants-in-aids and student loan fund, and

~ To encourage the continued intellectual, social and educational growth of its members.

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College Club History

Board of Trustees 2007-08

College Club Newsletter

Membership Application