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History and Traditions

L Gertrude Angell's portrait hangs over the fireplace in the school's library

 


“On a wistful autumn evening, in September 1850, Buffalo Seminary had its beginning. A dozen leading citizens of Buffalo, gentlemen and fathers … sat and discussed the educational facilities which the city offered, or failed to offer, their daughters.” 
- L. Gertrude Angell

 

 

 

 

Since its inception as the first independent school in Western New York, SEM has practiced forward-thinking. Innovation and tradition have been foundations of the program through every evolution in response to a constantly changing world. In the archives, there are stories of students like Charlotte Mulligan, who organized a drill team with her peers to prepare to defend the school during the Civil War and who later, among other accomplishments, founded the Twentieth Century Club, the first club in the US run entirely by women, for women. In 1870 Mark Twain visited the school and judged a literary contest and noted “To the high credit of the principal and teachers of this academy, it can be said that they are faithfully doing what they can to destroy [the dead weight of custom and tradition that have clogged school method] and its influence and occupy their place with something new and better.”

SEM’s history demonstrates the ways that the school has always prioritized an innovative, stimulating, holistic approach to girls’ education just as the alumnae showcase the benefits of that approach with their myriad accomplishments and stories of lives well lived. 

Robin Simon Magavern ‘52 came back to SEM as a faculty member in the English department from 1973 to 2008, and is still regarded as one of SEM’s most beloved teachers. In August of 2024 SEM’s library was dedicated as the Robin Simon Magavern Library in her honor. 

Lauren Belfer ‘71 has published four novels since her time at SEM including her 2023 historical fiction City of Light, a New York Times Bestseller that follows the story of the Headmistress of a progressive girls’ school, based on SEM. City of Light has been translated into seven languages and adapted into a stage play by Anthony Clarvoe. 

Another member of the class of ‘71 became the winningest coach in college basketball history in January 2024 with a remarkable 1,216 career wins. Tara VanDerveer ‘71 served as the head coach of Stanford University’s Women’s Basketball Team from 1985 until her retirement in 2024, taking one year away to serve as the Head Coach of the USA Senior National Team 1995-1996, and the gold-medal-winning USA Olympic Women’s Basketball Team in 1996. Read more about Tara’s legacy here. (pages 14 - 15 of the SEM Today Magazine)
 

Heads of School

Dr. Charles E. West 1851-1860
(Buffalo Female Academy)

Dr. Albert T. Chester 1860-1887
(Buffalo Female Academy)

Lucy Lynde Hartt '63 1887-1899
(Buffalo Female Academy; presided over the name change to Buffalo Seminary)

Jessica E. Beers 1899-1903

L. Gertrude Angell 1903-1952

Marian W. Smith 1952-1959

Richard W. Davis 1959-1966

James W. Donnelly 1966-1967

Robert A. Foster 1967-1992

Sarah K. Briggs 1992-1995

Marjorie E. Barney 1995-2001

Sandra P. Gilmor 2001-2007

Jo Ann (Jody) Douglass 2007-2016

Helen L. Marlette 2016-2024

K. Blair Parker 2024 -

Traditions

Both serious and fun traditions are at the core of our school culture. From our daily Morning Meeting in the Chapel led by the School Government Association president, where we sing the alma mater to start the day, to the spirited fun of Hornet/Jacket competitions, and the beautiful solemnity of commencement at historic Westminster Presbyterian Church, we maintain a respectful and dynamic school culture for both students, faculty and alumnae.