A Century of Connection to Adelphi—Remembering Dean Ruth Stratton Harley

One hundred years since her graduation in 1924, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on an Adelphi icon Ruth Stratton Harley (1902-2005) who continues to support Adelphi students through her generous legacy.

Ruth dedicated her career to helping our students realize their potential and achieve their goals. She personified Adelphi’s high educational ideals and standards in her eight decades of service to the University community. A strong proponent of student activities, she did more than any single person to shape the University through her steadfast encouragement of student participation in campus life.

Dean Harley came to Adelphi as an undergraduate in 1920. She began her career teaching Latin and later worked in the Endowment Office. She became the assistant to the registrar and then registrar from 1925 to 1942. From 1942 to 1970 she was dean of women. In 1970 she was named dean emerita, capping a 51-year career of dedication to students and Adelphi University.

But her connection did not end there. She served as a member of the Alumni Advisory Council until her passing on the fourth of July 2005. At that time, we learned of the generous legacy she had bequeathed Adelphi through a $500,000 estate gift that established the Ruth S. Harley Endowed Scholarship for students in need.

In the 20 years since her namesake scholarship’s creation, close to 200 students have achieved their goals in part due to her generosity. Here’s to you, Ruth. You will not soon be forgotten.

Written by Amy Harrison MA ’93,  Executive Director of Gift Planning and Donor Relations.