History

Historical Photographs

  Photos by Harry Itagaki  

How Did Trumbull Get Its Name?

Trumbull College was named for Jonathan Trumbull (1710−1785), who served as the first governor of the state of Connecticut and was the only colonial governor to actively support the American cause at the start of the Revolutionary War. 

A close friend and steadfast advisor of George Washington, Trumbull dedicated the resources of Connecticut—including manpower, food, clothing, and munitions—to the fight for independence. Placing great faith in Trumbull’s judgement, Washington sought the Governor’s advice throughout the war. According to Connecticut lore, when confronted with difficult decisions, Washington often remarked, “We must consult Brother Jonathan on the subject.” 
 
The phrase “We must consult Brother Jonathan” continues to appear today on each Trumbull College graduation certificate. Washington’s saying is also carved into the woodwork over the door leading from the Dining Hall into the Common Room, alongside the General’s coat of arms. At the opposite end of the Dining Hall, over the fireplace, appear the arms of the three universities which conferred degrees on Trumbull—Yale (Honorary LL.D. 1775), Harvard (B.A. 1727), and Edinburgh (Honorary LL.D. 1787). 
 

In February 2024, Yale released “Yale and Slavery: A History” by David Blight with the Yale and Slavery Research Project. The book is a historical examination that uncovers many pieces of Yale’s ties to slavery in the early period of the university’s 300+ year history. It marks a milestone in the Yale and Slavery Research Project, which was launched in 2020 and is part of ongoing Belonging at Yale efforts to create a stronger community.

The Yale and Slavery Research Project website includes a free digital version of the book, information about the university’s commitment to building a stronger community, a timeline and videos of research findings, a mobile app that provides a self-guided tour of sites associated with Yale’s history and legacy of slavery, and ways for the community to respond.

Trumbull Arms & Motto

Jonathan Trumbull’s family traces its lineage back to the Turnbull family of Scotland. According to heraldic legend, the name “Turnbull” owes its origin to the early fourteenth-century gallantry of a young peasant. Seeing the king engaged in chase and attacked by a bull, the peasant threw himself before the monarch, skillfully seizing the bull by it horns. As a reward for saving his life, the king bestowed the peasant with an estate and the name Turnbull. The accompanying coat of arms featured three bull heads, and the Latin motto Fortuna Favet Audaci, or “Fortune Favors the Brave.” The modified spelling of the name may be accounted for by the prominence of the strongly rolled “r” in certain Scottish dialects. 

An old heraldic device of the Turnbull family of Scotland appears in the arms of the college. Designed by Professor Theodore Sizer, M.A. (Honorary) 1931, Trumbull College’s coat of arms is adapted from “Brother Jonathan’s” original gubernatorial seal (ca. 1730–85). The seal, which features three raised bulls’ heads, is in the collection of the Yale University Art Gallery(Link is external), a gift of Mrs. Mary Compton and Miss Alice Smith Trumbull. 

Heads of College and Deans of Trumbull College

Heads of College
1932-1938 Stanhope Bayne-Jones
1938-1945 Charles Hyde Warren
1945-1963 John Spangler Nicholas
1963-1966 George Deforest Lord
1966-1969 Ronald Myles Dworkin
1969-1973 Kai Theodor Erikson
1973-1977 Robert John Fogelin
1976-1977 Robert A. Jaeger, acting
1977-1982 Michael George Cooke
1982-1987 Frank William Kenneth Firk
1987-1997 Harry B. Adams
1997-2002 Janet B. Henrich
2002-2003 Frederick J. Streets, acting
2003 to 2013 Janet B. Henrich
2013 to 2023 Margaret Clark
2023 to present Fahmeed Hyder

Deans
1963-1965 Russell Inslee Clark, Jr.
1965-1968 Edwin Storer Redkey
1968-1971 Paul Terry Magee
1971-1978 W. Scott Long
1974-1975 C. M. Long, acting
1978-1982 Robert A. Jaeger
1982-1986 Mary Ramsbottom
1986-1990 Peter B. MacKeith
1990-1998 William Di Canzio
1998-2001 Peter Novak
2001-2004 Laura King
2004 - 2016 Jasmina Besirevic-Regan
2016 - present Surjit Chandhoke

Trumbull College Prizes

ROBERT E. LEWIS, JR., MEMORIAL TROPHY. For that Yale College senior who best demonstrates the ideals of athletic leadership and sportsmanship in intercollege competition.

JOHN SPANGLER NICHOLAS CUP. Awarded to that senior who has achieved the highest academic rank.

JOHN SPANGLER NICHOLAS PRIZE (1964). Mrs. Nicholas in memory of her husband, John Spangler Nicholas, Ph.D. 1921. For a junior in Trumbull College of outstanding character and leadership to be selected by the Head and Fellows of the College.

JOHN SPANGLER NICHOLAS SCHOLARSHIP (1964). Friends and associates of Mr. Nicholas. For a student of sterling character and high intellectual ability.

DEAN TEMPLE MEMORIAL TROPHY. Awarded to a senior for distinguished performance in intercollege athletics.

TRUMBULL FELLOWS’ PRIZE. For that student who has done the most to encourage student-faculty relations.

Notable Alumni

Les Aspin (1960, History, the Arts, and Letters)
United States Representative and Secretary of Defense

Susan Bysiewicz (1983, Scholars of the House)
Secretary of State for the State of Connecticut

Anderson Cooper (1989, Political Science)
Anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°

Sharon Isbin (1978, Music)
Classical guitarist

David Lempert (1980, Economics & Political Science)
Anthropologist, author, human rights lawyer

Ron Livingston (1989, Theater Studies and Literature)
Actor

Dana Milbank (1990, Political Science)
Political journalist

Allison Silverman (1994, Humanities)
Writer for The Daily Show and The Colbert Report

Oliver Stone (attended)
Academy Award-winning director

Ted Tally (1974, Drama)
Playwright, Academy Award-winning screenwriter