Ivan Gerasimov Kharitonenko began his career a simple peasant, but soon after his charity was elevated to the hereditary nobility. Ivan Gerasimov pretty much done for the city of Sumy's own money. He built a huge Holy Trinity Cathedral, an excellent hospital named Zenaida holy martyr for free treatment of citizens, made a bridge across the city and much more, for which he was, a monument – a figure upright. Kharitonenko dreamed that in his home town was founded by the cadet corps. Unfortunately, life did not succeed, and he bequeathed to his son, Pavel Ivanovich Kharitonenko realize his dream.
According to the regulations Military Council in 1899, the highest approved, in Sumy Sumy was founded Cadet Copus, who were going to open a new school in 1900. Staff corps of 500 cadets. In April of 1900. Director of the Cadet Corps was Sumy appointed Major-General Kublitsky-Piottukh. With the arrival in May 1900 the Director of Housing, began preparations for opening the case, namely: the plant necessary conditions of temporary accommodation for cadets in the building Boarding at the Lutheran Church; procure uniforms, bought textbooks and teaching aids; bought dishes and all the necessities of life for future cadets. Then began the meeting for the Building Commission construction of buildings for Sumy Cadet Corps on a plot of 50 acres donated by the body Sumy PI Kharitonenko. This area, called "wall" was on the high bank of the river and consisted of Psel field of the earth, completely flat, on which were erected all the buildings housing, then the slope was a garden with greenhouses, at the bottom of a large meadow with several branches of the river Psyol. A few days before the opening of the body, which was scheduled for August 31, 1900 year, took the entrance exam in first class. Have stood and has been received was 61 people. Soon after the opening of the Sumy Cadet hulls – a dream come true Ivan Gerasimovich Kharitonenko after his death.