Harvard, America's first college, motto was, “For Christ and the Church.” Their requirements were: “Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life. John 17:3 … And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of Him. Proverbs 2:3 … Everyone shall exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein …”
Princeton college, established in 1746, held this motto: “Under God’s Power She Flourishes.” It’s first President, Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, declared “Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.” Until 1902 every President after him was a minister, including John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and served on over 100 committees in Congress.
Yale College was established in 1701. Like Harvard, their requirements stated: “Seeing God is the giver of all wisdom, ever scholar, besides private or secret prayer… shall be present morning and evening at public prayer in the hall at the accustomed hour … The Scriptures … morning and evening (are) to be read by the students at times of prayer in the school. Until 1898 every President was a minister.”