Human greatness is achieved when generous, purposefully educated, and confident people come together in a spirit of humility and determination to address the challenges and realize the opportunities of their age. ;xNLx;Our founder, the Rev. George Harvey Ball, lived out that belief when he established this institution along the shores of Keuka Lake in 1890. In ensuing years, other great leaders with vision, passion and purpose built upon that legacy, adding experiential learning to the core of our liberal arts curriculum, capped with our signature Field Period™. Today, after decades of remarkable achievements, we continue to produce well-educated, optimistic and resourceful people who lead lives of purpose and accomplishment. From Rev. Ball to Edith Estey, from Eleanor Roosevelt to Martin Luther King, Jr., from our home campus in Keuka Park to our sister schools in China and Vietnam, we all share in the mission and vision of Keuka College and we Believe in What We Can Do Together.
Construction on the original Ball Hall started in April 1888, but its interior wasn't fully completed til years later.
Baptist minister George Harvey Ball cast his vision to provide a high-level education to all deserving students, regardless of economic background.
Chartered Aug. 30, Keuka College & Institute is established along Keuka Lake to make a quality education affordable for young men and women.
Elected by church and board leaders, Rev. Newell Calhoun served as the temporary leader of the Institute from June 1896 - Feb. 1897.
Rev. Ball returned again to the helm of Keuka College & Institute from February 1897 - 1904.
A distant relative of George Harvey Ball, Rev. John Chester Ball took over as the second president of Keuka Institute, serving 1904-1906.
From 1907-1909, Rev. Dr. Zephaniah A. Space, served as the third president of Keuka Institute. Today, one of the residential halls bears his name.
A young minister, Rev. Arthur Braden, was appointed to serve as the fourth president of the Institute, serving 1909-1910.
Rev. Joseph A. Serena was appointed the fifth president of Keuka Institute, serving from 1910 until the school was forced to close in 1915.
Financial troubles encountered in 1915 forced the College & Institute to close for a period of six years.
