Though Western Reserve College was known for being a co-ed institution—including graduating some of the first women doctors in the U.S.—Hiram C. Haydn’s (presidency years: 1887–1890) decision to end this practice defined his two years as president of the institution.
The third person to serve in the role, Haydn established The College for Women, the university’s women’s undergraduate college, in 1888 with significant support from philanthropist Flora Stone Mather. Mather had been an active member of the Old Stone Church Presbyterian congregation, where Haydn had served as pastor. She would name Haydn Hall in his honor.
