History and Traditions
“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
L. Gertrude Angell 1903-1952
Marian W. Smith 1952-1959
Richard W. Davis
James W. Donnelly
Robert A. Foster
Sarah K. Briggs
Marjorie E. Barney
Sandra P. Gilmor
Jo Ann (Jody) Douglass 2007-2016
Helen L. Marlette
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.
- Hornets and Jackets
- Morning Meeting
- Why Do We Sing Jerusalem?
- Convocation & Honor Code Assembly
- Hanging of the Greens
- Winter Revel
- Commencement
- Class Day & Student Recognition Day
- Theatrical Productions
- Endowed Lectures & Visiting Artists
- Back-to-School All-School Picnic
- So Many Traditions! By Class