President Valentine 1868-1884
Milton Valentine (1825-1906) served as Gettysburg College’s third president. A Maryland native and member of the Pennsylvania College class of 1850, Valentine was a professor at the seminary when called to Gettysburg's presidency. During his 16-year term of service (1868-1884), Valentine oversaw construction of several new campus buildings, including Stevens Hall (1868) and an astronomical observatory (1874). As president, Valentine emphasized truth seeking and the need to adapt to changing currents in higher education.