 However, in the midst of finance problems the Board of Trustees, voted to name the university the "O'Fallon Institute" in order to secure funds from John O'Fallon, the wealthiest individual in St. Louis.Treat felt the name was unsuitable and persuaded the board to drop the name in favor of the Washington Institute.Naming the University after the nation's first president only six years before the American Civil War during a time of bitter national division was no coincidence on the part of Treat.