A List 6/27/05 SLU AWARDED GRANT FOR UNIVERSALIST HERITAGE PROJECT CANTON - The New York State Convention of Universalists has awarded $5,000 to St. Lawrence University for a research project exploring the University's Universalist heritage. Conducting the research will be Katherine R. Gay, a member of the Class of 2006 from Malone. Her faculty sponsor is Visiting Assistant Professor of History Elun T. Gabriel. The project's title is "A North Country Perspective: The Intersection of Universalism and Education in Canton, New York." St. Lawrence and the Universalists share an historic bond dating from 1856, when the leaders of the New York State Convention of Universalists chose to locate its new seminary in Canton. Subsequently the liberal arts institution now known as St. Lawrence University was created by the citizens of Canton, in conjunction with the seminary, as a college of arts and sciences augmenting the education of students at the theological school. The New York State Convention of Universalists was organized in 1825. Prior to the creation of the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961, it served as the principal denominational body for Universalist churches in New York State. Today, among other activities, the Convention administers two endowments, one of which upholds the Universalist heritage within the UUA while promoting the growth of the Unitarian Universalist movement. The grant to St. Lawrence is a reflection of the NYSCU's appreciation of its historical contributions to the education of people in New York's North Country. Throughout academic year 2005-2006 St. Lawrence will celebrate its Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary), exploring a variety of themes which celebrate both its history and its future. Its heritage as a Universalist institution is among the themes shaping the celebration. -30- Back To News Releases Back to St. Lawrence Homepage