After graduating first from Lafayette College and then from the
Princeton Theological Seminary in 1898, Dr. Samuel M. Jordan spent 43 years as a missionary in Iran. He was the founder and president
of the American College of Tehran, renamed Alborz College of
Tehran. Dr. Jordan served as president of the institution from 1899-
1940 and during his period of leadership played a significant
role in the growth of Alborz from an elementary school to a famous
and respected college. He was well known for his dedication to
expanding the size of the campus and enhancing the opportunities
for the school and its students. An avid believer in the value of
sports, he is credited with bringing football, volleyball, basketball
and soccer to Iran. Dr. Jordan’s commitment to the academic community
in Iran through his work at Alborz earned him the Iranian Decoration
of the First Scientific Medal in 1940. After his retirement, Dr.
Jordan made a trip to Iran on a good-will mission in 1944. A bust
of him was dedicated at that time believed to be the only such bust
of a Westerner in Iran. A principal street in Teheran bears his name
as further recognition of his contribution to the country.
Click here to watch a video on the Jordan Family's gift of Samuel Jordan memorobilia.
The American College of Tehran, 1930.
Renamed to Alborz College of Tehran
After graduating first from Lafayette College and then from the
Princeton Theological Seminary in 1898, Dr. Samuel M. Jordan spent 43 years as a missionary in Iran. He was the founder and president
of the American College of Tehran, renamed Alborz College of
Tehran. Dr. Jordan served as president of the institution from 1899-
1940 and during his period of leadership played a significant
role in the growth of Alborz from an elementary school to a famous
and respected college. He was well known for his dedication to
expanding the size of the campus and enhancing the opportunities
for the school and its students. An avid believer in the value of
sports, he is credited with bringing football, volleyball, basketball
and soccer to Iran. Dr. Jordan’s commitment to the academic community
in Iran through his work at Alborz earned him the Iranian Decoration
of the First Scientific Medal in 1940. After his retirement, Dr.
Jordan made a trip to Iran on a good-will mission in 1944. A bust
of him was dedicated at that time believed to be the only such bust
of a Westerner in Iran. A principal street in Teheran bears his name
as further recognition of his contribution to the country.