The presidency of Barnas Sears, Class of 1825, was a successful one, but markedly different than that of his respected predecessor, Francis Wayland. By tightening entrance and degree requirements, Sears tactfully phased out the aspects of Wayland’s educational reform that had weakened the caliber of the University’s education. Sears also allowed students more freedom, earning their affection at the same time. As historian Walter Bronson summarized: “He was not a son of thunder, like President Wayland; but in sunshine as well as in thunder there is power.”

In 1859, the student-organized crew team raced against Yale and Harvard on Worcester’s Lake Quinsigamond in the College Union Regatta, Brown’s first intercollegiate competition. Brown’s boat, the six-oared lap streak Atalanta, was a 44 ½-foot craft that outweighed the other teams’ shells by 150 pounds. This disadvantage, coupled with their opponents’ far more experienced crews, resulted in a third-place finish for Brown.