Madurai: The American College in the city commemorated the centenary of William Michael Zumbro, who was the second principal of the college from 1899 to 1922. The descendants of Zumbro, grandsons William Howard Richardson and Michael Austin Richardson, granddaughter Elizabeth Hyde Ralston, and great-grandson Michael Dwight Richardson, attended the event. State Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan participated as the guest of honour.

College principal M. Davamani Christober said that the college was moved to its present campus during Zumbro’s tenure.

The minister recalled the role of Christian missionaries in education. Not all were privileged to get an education in those days, and Zumbro, who had studied at Columbia, Michigan, and Yale universities, had come down to a place like Madurai and given that exposure to people here, he said.

Representing Zumbro’s family, William Howard Richardson addressed the gathering and said they have decided to donate two million Indian rupees to support the college, he said.