Index
Scholarships
The Arthur W. Soper Scholarship
The Arthur W. Soper Scholarship, established in 1904 originally by A.C. Soper, Class of 1894, is awarded with preference given first to graduates of Rome (N.Y.) Free Academy; second, to students from the City of Rome or Oneida County; and finally, to students from Central New York.
Arthur Soper, a railroad businessman, attended Rome Academy and joined his father’s lumber business at 17. Arthur later went to work with the Rome, Watertown, and Ogdensburg Railway. He excelled in the industry and soon became general manager of the Saint Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad. Colleagues described Arthur as a “high class railroad man of indomitable energy,” who was gifted with “unusual force of character” and “mental and physical vigor.” He later organized and incorporated the Pintsch Compressing Company and the Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company. Both companies developed gas and electrical systems for passenger coaches. Arthur remained president of both companies until his death in New York City in 1901. Arthur received an honorary degree from Hamilton in 1893.
This scholarship was established by Arthur’s brother, Alexander C. Soper, Class of 1894, and former head of the Soper Lumber Co. in Chicago. Several generations of the Soper family have graduated from Hamilton.
June 2014
Please note: The named scholarships profiled on these pages are awarded as part of the College’s need-based financial aid packages. These funds help ensure the Hamilton Promise of keeping education affordable through meeting a student’s full demonstrated financial need.
Materials published here were diligently researched and written by students who strived for historical accuracy.
