Today's Hours
1772 Little Girls School began
1785-86 Construction of Single Sister's house
1802 Girl's Boarding School started, with Samuel Kramsch as Inspector (Principal)
1806 First certificates given
1866 Inspector Robert de Schweinitz receives permission from the State Legislature to issue certificated and diplomas
1877-78 The first senior class was formed, to "pursue more advanced study."
1879 The Music Department was organized.
1886 A Charter was granted to Salem College, and the Alumnae Association was founded.
1890 President Edward Rondthaler awarded the first Bachelor of Arts degrees to eight student that completed the "Post Graduate" course.
1896 The Catalog cover changed from "Salem Female Academy" to "Salem Academy and College for Girls and Young Women."
1902 Salem started it's first Endowment upon the celebration of the institution's centennial.
1915 Salem attained membership in the American Association of Colleges
1921 Salem became a member of the Southern Association of Colleges, which required that the Academy and the College have separate curriculum, faculty, and facilities.
1930 Salem gained membership in the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
1930 The new Academy Building was dedicated in August.
1933 The School of Music becomes accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
1991 Juliane Still Thrift becomes the first female President of Salem Academy and College.
Following is a list of the Principals and Presidents who have served Salem since 1802 and the formation of the Boarding School, along with their dates of service.
LEADERSHIP AT SALEM
1802-PRESENT
Samuel G. Kramsch Inspector/Principal 1802-1806
Abraham S. Steiner Inspector/Principal 1806-1816
G. Benjamin Reichel Inspector/Principal 1816-1834
John C. Jacobson Inspector/Principal 1834-1844
Charles A. Blech Inspector/Principal 1844-1848
Emil A. de Schweinitz Inspector/Principal 1848-1853
Robert W. de Schweinitz Inspector to President 1853-1866
Maximilian E. Grunert President 1866-1877
Theophilus Zorn President 1877-1884
Edward Rondthaler President 1884-1888
John H. Clewell President 1888-1909
Howard E. Rondthaler President 1909-1949
Dale H. Gramley President 1949-1971
John H. Chandler President 1971-1976
Merrimon Cuninggam President 1976-1979
Richard L. Morrill President 1979-1982
Thomas V. Litzenburg, Jr. President 1982-1991
Julianne Still Thrift President 1991-2006
Susan E. Pauly President 2006-2014
D.E. Lorraine Sterritt President 2014-2018
Sandra J. Doran President 2018-
Campus Building Evolution
1771 Salem Gemeinhaus
1786 Single Sisters House
1805 South Hall
1811 Inspector's House
1812 Double-tiered dormers added to Sisters House
1819 Southern addition added to Sisters
1824 Northern addition added to South Hall
1838 Western addition added to Inspector's House
1840-41 Gemeinhaus given by church to Salem Female Academy
1856 Main Hall completed (on site of Gemeinhaus)
1857 Old Chapel completed, pleasure grounds formed
1888 Annex Hall built (renamed the Rondthaler-Gramley House in