Julia Ann Sears (1839–1929) was a pioneering academic and suffragist, achieving a milestone early in her career as she became the first woman to head a public college in the United States, in 1872. The school was Mankato Normal School, now Minnesota State University, Mankato, which named a residence hall after Sears in 2008. Overview 1. East Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Birthplace 2. Bridgewater State University: 1859 Graduate 3. Minnesota State University: President 1872-1873 4. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul 5. Peabody College, Vanderbilt University: Professor and Head of Mathematics Department, 1875 - 1907 6. Fairhaven, Massachusetts: Retirement Family History The Sears family lineage begins with Richard Sares, who lived in the Plymouth Colony around 1630. The Sears family also includes Edmond Sears, who, in 1849, composed "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear". Most of the notable members of the Sears family had an educational or religious backgrounds. Constant, Sears' father, was born in 1802 and died in 1861. Sears' mother, Deborah was born on April 19, 1801 and died in 1861. Constant and Deborah married in 1824. Constant was sea captain and retired to be a cranberry farmer and salt manufacturer. Overall, the Sears' Family consists primarily of sea captains, religious figures in Methodist and Baptist faith, as well as educators. Early life Julia Ann Sears was born to Constant and Deborah Chipman Sears on March 19, 1839 in East Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Julia was the youngest of five siblings: Thankful Snow, Emily, Sarah R., and Betsey Thomas. Her mother had another daughter, who died in 1832. Julia had no uncles or brothers. It is suggested, this may have helped her develop a sense of independence. As children, Julia and her sisters underwent religious training by Methodist ministers, at month-long summer camps. In her later years, Sears recalled pretending to be a teacher when playing with friends. This may have been an early indicator of her future career. Education Julia Sears attended a common school in East Dennis, from age five to age fifteen. Though it remains unclear, it is believed Sears attended the East Dennis Academy from 1854 to 1858. During this time, Julia decided she wanted to be an educator. Sears moved away from home and attended Bridgewater Normal School from 1858 to 1860. Students were asked to affirm their devotion to becoming a teacher or they would be charged $10 for every term they attended