During this time the heads of the university held the title of "Principal", a holdover from the institution's academy days, and there were also several Principals prior to Bruce that headed the forerunner to the Western University of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Academy. In 1819 the Pennsylvania legislature modified the 1787 charter of the  Pittsburgh Academy to confer university status on the school.
During this time, the university's top officials held the title of "Principal," a legacy from its earlier days as an academy. Before Bruce, several Principals had led the institution that would eventually become Western University of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Academy. In 1819, the Pennsylvania legislature upgraded the school's status by revising its charter.