Henry Durand is credited having songwritten Bright College Years

Bright College Years

Bright College Years is one of the traditional songs of Yale University, and often cited as the university's alma mater...

, the Yale University

Yale University

Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...

 alma mater

Alma mater

Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...

 with Carl Wilhelm. Durand was born in Cincinnati, OH and prepared for Yale at the Hopkins School

Hopkins School

The Hopkins School is a private, college-preparatory, coeducational day school, located in New Haven, Connecticut....

. He was a member of the Class of 1881.

Bright College Years

Bright College Years

Bright College Years is one of the traditional songs of Yale University, and often cited as the university's alma mater...

 was arranged for the 1881 Yale Glee Club

Yale Glee Club

The Yale Glee Club is a mixed chorus of men and women, consisting of students of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1861, it is the third oldest collegiate chorus in the United States after the Harvard Glee Club, founded in 1858, and the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club,...

, and after the quelling of sentiment after World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 to find another alma mater

Alma mater

Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...

, Durand's song has been "the unofficial alma mater that, with handkerchief accompaniment, is a standard element of Commencement, football games, and almost every alumni get-together."