History
Northwestern University, founded in 1851, first offered
evening courses during the 1905-06 academic year. These were
liberal arts courses, which students attended in a building
the University had recently acquired at Lake and Dearborn in
Chicago's Loop. NU's School of Commerce offered evening courses
from its founding in 1908. The Medill School of Journalism
began offering evening courses in 1921 when it became a component
of the School of Commerce.
NU Archivist Patrick Quinn has attributed the development
of evening classes to several cultural changes. As the American
work force began to change and expand during the final years
of the 19th century, workers needed more education. The expansion
of elementary and secondary education created a demand for
teacher training. The acceptance of the eight-hour work day
generated increased interest in leisure learning, and self-improvement.
Over the years, NU continued a gradual expansion of its evening
program. University College was founded in 1933 with an enrollment
of about 1,216 in its first academic year. By the 1935-36
academic year, enrollment had grown to about 3,876. By 1937,
University College students could earn a Bachelor of Philosophy
degree, a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Bachelor of
Science in Speech, or simply enjoy learning as a non-degree
student.
During World War II, courses were offered in mathematics
for warfare and in blueprint reading. Though women comprised
three quarters of UC's student body in 1944, enrollment reached
6,907 in 1947, with the enrollment of veterans attending school
under the GI Bill.
In 1946, UC became the home of the Alpha (founding) chapter
of Alpha Sigma Lambda. UC's third dean, Rollin Posey, founded
the honor society to recognize the accomplishments of evening
students. Today, there are approximately 250 chapters of Alpha
Sigma Lambda throughout the country, including the chapter
which is still active at University College.
In 1954, University College was merged with the evening undergraduate
program of the School of Commerce, and the new entity was
designated NU's Evening Division.
In 1983, Donald Collins became dean of University College.
Under his leadership, programs and activities were added to
expand the college's program offerings, improve the quality
of student life, and offer professional development activities
for faculty. The Alumni Board keeps the college in touch with
its roots and keeps alumni involved with the college. Most
recently, a Faculty Advisory Board was developed to serve
as a liaison between administration and faculty. In addition
to a Master of Arts in English degree, Collins inaugurated
an interdisciplinary liberal arts program leading to a Master
of Arts in Liberal Studies degree. The Faculty Development
Program offers the college's faculty an array of workshops,
discussions, consultations and other resources designed to
promote teaching excellence.
University College became part of the University's Division
of Continuing Education, which also included the Office of
Summer Session and Special Programs, and the Institute for
Learning in Retirement.
Effective July 1, 1999, Dr. Richard L. Lorenzen was appointed
Associate Provost for Continuing Education and Dean of University
College. In 2000, the DCE was renamed the School of Continuing
Studies (SCS) and an array of professional development certificates
was added.
Following the retirement of Dean Lorenzen and effective May
24, 2002, Thomas F. Gibbons was appointed Dean of the School
of Continuing Studies.
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