Samuel P. Capen

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2025 3:08 PM

The celebration of Samuel P. Capen's inauguration as the University of Buffalo's first full-time chancellor took place over two days. These photos depict three major events of the celebration: the dedication of Foster Hall, the inauguration ceremony and dedication of Rotary Field. The weekend also included luncheons, receptions and dinners.

A modest and unassuming man, Capen is remembered to have said of the celebration "I'm told it was a nice party, but Lord preserve me from ever going through such a thing again."

The Dedication of Foster Hall, 2:30-3:15 p.m. October 27, 1922

UB faculty, wearing formal academic caps and gowns, are lined up and waiting to begin the academic procession to Foster Hall, October 27, 1922.

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UB faculty are lined up and waiting to begin the academic procession to Foster Hall, October 27, 1922.

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UB Council Chair Walter P. Cooke (left), Samuel P. Capen (center) and Chief Marshall Thomas F. Cooke lead the academic procession across campus to the Foster Hall dedication, October 27, 1922.

A large crowd UB faculty and others are gathered outdoors around a platform listening to the invocation at the Foster Hall dedication, October 27, 1922

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UB faculty and others are gathered around the platform listening to the invocation at the Foster Hall dedication, October 27, 1922

UB Council chair Walter P. Cooke speaking from a platform outdoors at the dedication of Foster Hall. Samuel P. Capen can be seen to the far left. October 27, 1922.

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UB Council chair Walter P. Cooke speaking at the dedication of Foster Hall. Samuel P. Capen can be seen to the far left. October 27, 1922.

Samuel P. Capen speaking from a platform outdoors at the dedication of Foster Hall. In the background on the far left is Oren Foster and on the far right is UB Council chair Walter P. Cooke. October 27, 1922.

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Samuel P. Capen speaking at the dedication of Foster Hall. In the background on the far left is donor and UB Council member Orin Foster and on the far right is UB Council chair Walter P. Cooke. October 27, 1922.

UB Council Chair Walter P. Cooke (center) is presenting a very large ring of keys to Foster Hall to Samuel P. Capen. Oren Foster is pictured to the right. October 27, 1922

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UB Council Chair Walter P. Cooke (center) is presenting the keys to Foster Hall to Samuel P. Capen. Donor and UB Council member Orin Foster is pictured to the right. October 27, 1922

The Inauguration of Samuel P. Capen, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., October 28, 1922

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Samuel P. Capen (right) and UB Council Chair Walter P. Cooke (right) lead the academic procession down Edward Street to the Teck Theatre on Main Street, October 28, 1922

A line of UB faculty and honored guests wearing academic regalia is rounding the corner of Edward and Main Streets on the way to the Teck Theatre for the inauguration of Samuel P. Capen, October 28, 1922.

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The academic procession of UB faculty and honored guests rounding the corner of Edward and Main Streets on the way to the Teck Theatre for the inauguration of Samuel P. Capen, October 28, 1922.

The academic procession of UB faculty and honored guests, all wearing academic regalia, lined up in front of the Teck Theatre, October 28, 1922.

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The academic procession of UB faculty and honored guests in front of the Teck Theatre, October 28, 1922.

The academic procession of UB faculty and honored guests wearing academic regalia entering the Teck Theatre for the inauguration of Samuel P. Capen, October 28, 1922.

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The academic procession of UB faculty and honored guests entering the Teck Theatre for the inauguration of Samuel P. Capen, October 28, 1922.

The six deans of the University of Buffalo are standing in line. All are wearing academic regalia. Left to right are Willis Gregory, School of Pharmacy; Carlos Alden, School of Law; Julian Park, College of Arts and Sciences; Daniel Squire, School of Dentistry; Lillias MacDonald, Dean of Women; Sumner Jones, School of Medicine. The photo is believed to have been taken on October 28, 1922.

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The deans of the University. (L-R) Willis Gregory, School of Pharmacy; Carlos Alden, School of Law; Julian Park, College of Arts and Sciences; Daniel Squire, School of Dentistry; Lillias MacDonald, Dean of Women; Sumner Jones, School of Medicine. [believed to have been taken on] October 28, 1922.

The Dedication of Rotary Field, 2:30-2:45 p.m. October 28, 1922

Left to right are UB Council members Edward Michael, Walter P. Cooke, Chancellor Samuel P. Capen and unknown [thought to be Walter Head, the president of the Rotary Club] at the dedication of Rotary Field. The four men are standing outside on the football field. October 28, 1922.

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L-R UB Council members Edward Michael, Walter P. Cooke, Chancellor Samuel P. Capen and unknown [thought to be Walter Head, the president of the Rotary Club] at the dedication of Rotary Field.

Chancellor Samuel P. Capen speaking outdoors at the dedication of Rotary Field. October 28, 1922

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Chancellor Samuel P. Capen speaking at the dedication of Rotary Field.

Sources

"Dr. Capen closing 25th year as leader of U.B.'s growth." Buffalo Evening News, October 23, 1947.
Program for the Inauguration of Samuel P. Capen, October 27-28, 1922. Found in Samuel P. Capen's Biographical File.
Skrzycki, Cindy. "He set out to build a university and run it on first class principles." The Buffalo News Magazine, April 2, 1978.