{{Short description|College in Houlton, Maine, US (1848–1978)}} {{More citations needed|date=February 2022}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} '''Ricker College''' was a small college located in Houlton, Maine, United States. It opened in {{start date and age|1848|p=y}} and closed in {{end date and age|1978|p=y}}.
It began as '''Houlton Academy''' in 1848, before being subsequently renamed '''Ricker Classical Institute''' in 1887. It became '''Ricker Junior College''' in 1934 and operated as a four-year liberal arts college between that point and its closing in 1978. It did continue to operate as a secondary school through 1967.
The name "Ricker" was taken from Doctor Joseph Ricker, who was at the time the State Secretary of the Maine Baptist Convention.
As with many other small, private colleges in the US, Ricker College faced financial difficulties in the 1970s and was forced to close its Houlton campus in May 1978. Other off-campus programs in continuing education remained operational after the main campus's closing, but not at the collegiate level.
A branch of the University of Maine system, the University of Maine at Presque Isle Outreach at Houlton, holds classes in a newly renovated building on Military Street.
==Notable alumni== * Bob Davoli, venture capitalist * Paul Duffie, Canadian politician * Ira G. Hersey, politician * Henry L. Joy, politician * David Parks, photographer * Steve Shea, professional baseball player; pitcher with the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Montreal Expos * Roger Sherman, politician * Daniel Wathen, Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court * Charles P. Pray, politician
==Greek life== ===Fraternities=== * Pi Lambda Phi, ME Kappa Beta<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chapter Locator|url=https://www.pilambdaphi.org/about/chapter-locator/|access-date=2021-11-10|website=Pi Lambda Phi|language=en-US}}</ref> * Tau Epsilon Phi, Phi Delta Upsilon<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chapter Roll|url=https://tep.org/chapters/chapter-roll/|access-date=2021-11-10|website=Tau Epsilon Phi|language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.ricker.net/ Ricker.net] - (Defunct site) historical information website
{{Universities and colleges in Maine |state=expanded}} {{authority control}}
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Category:Defunct private universities and colleges in Maine Category:Universities and colleges established in 1848 Category:Houlton, Maine Category:Universities and colleges in Aroostook County, Maine Category:University of Maine at Presque Isle Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 1978 Category:1848 establishments in Maine Category:1978 disestablishments in Maine
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