Founded in 1912 by the Polish National Alliance and dedicated by U.S. President William Howard Taft, Alliance College was one of the nation's first nationality colleges. Its mission was to provide educational opportunities for everyone, but especially to those of Polish descent. Located on the Rider Hotel site, it was first an academy, then a technical institute and later a liberal arts college. Alliance College included Polish arts, language and history as part of its curriculum and campus culture until it closed in 1987.