Posted by Eugene Volokh:
Yale Valedictorians in 1785 and 1792 Delivered Their Orations in Hebrew:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_10_21-2007_10_27.shtml#1193092152
So reports a [1]Yale library Web page:
In [1777], [Rev. Ezra] Stiles was called to Yale to become its
president; a year later, he became the school�s first Semitics
professor.... A Yale student wrote in 1788, "The President insisted
that the whole class should undertake the study of Hebrew ... For
the Hebrew he possessed a high veneration." As it turns out,
Stiles�s prescription was not popular and by 1790, he modified his
edict: "From my first accession to the Presidency ... I have
obliged all the Freshmen to study Hebrew. This has proved very
disagreeable to a Number of the Students. This year I have
determined to instruct only those who offer themselves
voluntarily." While enrollment in his courses dropped, the
valedictorians of the classes of 1785 and 1792 did deliver their
orations in Hebrew.
References
1. http://www.library.yale.edu/cataloging/hebraicateam/hebrewyale.htm
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