James Hamilton Howe

James Hamilton Howe graduated from the College of Music of Boston University.[2]

During the first year of his term, Howe gave two lecture-recitals on the “History of Pianoforte Technique” and “My System of Pianoforte Technique,” and gave the first recital the School of Music offered.[2] Professors of Piano Glen Sherman, Claude Cymerman, and Lorna Griffitt repeated that exact program as a part of the School of Music's centennial celebration in 1984.[2] Over the next 10 years, Howe established a curriculum, overcome strong opposition to an opera program, and encourage an active performance calendar.[2]

While he was Dean of the Music School, Howe was also instrumental in the founding of Alpha Chi Omega fraternity.[3] Howe gathered together seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society.[3] The first appearance of the seven founders – Anna Allen Smith,[4] Olive Burnett Clark,[5] Bertha Deniston Cunningham,[6] Amy DuBois Rieth,[7] Nellie Gamble Childe,[8] Bessie Grooms Keenan,[9] and Estelle Leonard[10] – was in Meharry Hall of East College, wearing scarlet and olive ribbon streamers attached to their dresses.[3]