ABSTRACT
On 11 June 1875, the Ithaca Academy conducted its final commencement exercises “in the presence of a large audience, composed of patrons of the institution and friends of the students.” 1 After a piano performance and prayer, students recited a number of essays. Principal Wesley C. Ginn then handed diplomas to the eight graduates and commented on each of their accomplishments. As the principal finished, the reporter for the Ithaca Journal “could not help thinking of the many fine classes of students he [Ginn] had graduated since having charge of the Academy … Whether he will remain in charge of the institution when it is converted into a high school is as yet uncertain, but if he does not, wherever he may go, our people will wish him success.” 2 The Ithaca Democrat also offered a flattering account of the final commencement exercises and praised Ginn and the academy teachers for their efforts. Unlike the Ithaca Journal, however, it lamented the demise of the academy: “The Ithaca Academy is now a thing of the past, and in its place we are to have a higher school, with no better literary advantages, but an increased taxation to support it. It will however gratify some of ‘the friends of education in Ithaca‘ who are hungry for a position under, or in it.” 3
