Widener University: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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{{Infobox university
| name = Widener University
| former_names = The Bullock School for Boys (1821–1846)<br />The Alsop School for Boys (1846–1853)<br />Hyatt's Select School for Boys (1853–1859)<br />Delaware Military Academy (1859–1862)<br />Pennsylvania Military Academy (1862–1892)<br />Pennsylvania Military College (1892–1966)<br />PMC Colleges (1966–1972)<br />Widener College (1972–1979)
| image = Widener University Seal.png
| image_size = 150px
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| academic_affiliations = [[Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities|CUMU]]
| endowment = $90.0 million (2020)<ref>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
| president = [[Stacey Robertson]]
| city = [[Chester, Pennsylvania]]
| country = U.S.
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| logo = [[File:Widener University Logo.PNG|Widener Logo]]
}}
'''Widener University''' is a [[private, metropolitan university]] inwith a [[Chester, Pennsylvania]]. Thecampus universitythat hasincludes threesix othercolleges campuses:and schools, and two indistinct Pennsylvanialaw ([[Harrisburg,schools Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] andin [[ExtonHarrisburg, Pennsylvania|Exton]]) and one in [[Wilmington, Delaware]].
About 3,300 undergraduates and 3,300 graduate students attend Widener in eight degree-granting schools. The university offers [[AssociateAssociate’s degree|associateassociate’s]], [[Bachelor's degree|baccalaureatebachelor’s]], [[Master's degree|master's]], and [[Doctorate|doctoral]] degrees in areasdiverse disciplines ranging from traditional [[liberal arts]], business, and engineering, to nursing and a variety of health and human service professional programs. It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" and a "Community Engagement Institution".▼
Founded as '''The Bullock School for Boys''' in 1821, the school was established in Wilmington, Delaware. It became '''The Alsop School for Boys''' from 1846 to 1853, and then '''Hyatt's Select School for Boys''' from 1853 to 1859. Military instruction was introduced in 1858, and the school changed its name in 1859 to '''Delaware Military Academy'''. It moved to Pennsylvania in 1862 and became '''Chester County Military Academy'''. It was known as '''Pennsylvania Military College''' after 1892 and adopted the Widener name in 1972.▼
▲Founded as '''The Bullock School for Boys''' in 1821, the school was established in Wilmington, Delaware. It became '''The Alsop School for Boys''' from 1846 to 1853, and then '''Hyatt's Select School for Boys''' from 1853 to 1859. Military instruction was introduced in 1858, and the school changed its name in 1859 to '''Delaware Military Academy'''. It moved to Pennsylvania in 1862 and became '''Chester County Military Academy'''. It was known as '''Pennsylvania Military College''' after 1892 and adopted the Widener name in 1972.
▲About 3,300 undergraduates and 3,300 graduate students attend Widener in eight degree-granting schools. The university offers [[Associate degree|associate]], [[Bachelor's degree|baccalaureate]], [[Master's degree|master's]], and [[Doctorate|doctoral]] degrees in areas ranging from traditional [[liberal arts]] to professional programs. It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" and a "Community Engagement Institution".
==History==
===19th century===
[[File:OldMainWidener.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Old Main and Chemistry Building]]]]
Widener University was founded in 1821 as the Bullock School for Boys preparatory school in [[Wilmington, Delaware]], by John Bullock. Bullock operated the school until 1846 when it was sold to Samuel Alsop and renamed the Alsop School for Boys. In 1853, the school was sold to Theodore Hyatt and renamed the Hyatt's Select School for Boys,<ref name=PMC.org/> and again in 1859 to the Delaware Military Academy.<ref name=Praeger>{{cite book |title=American Universities and Colleges, 19th Edition |date=2010 |publisher=Praeger |location=Santa Barbara, California |isbn=978-0-313-36609-3 |page=1182 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qvnnCQAAQBAJ&q=pennsylvania+military+college&pg=PA1182 |access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref> In 1862, the school moved to [[West Chester, Pennsylvania]]. By act of assembly on April 8, 1862, the [[Pennsylvania legislature]] incorporated the school as a university under the name of Chester County Military Academy.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ashmeade|first1=Henry Graham|title=History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania|date=1884|publisher=L.H. Everts & Co.|location=Philadelphia|page=[https://archive.org/details/cu31924006215655/page/n405 350]|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924006215655|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> In 1865, the school moved to Chester, Pennsylvania, and occupied the building which would become the Old Main building of the [[Crozer Theological Seminary]]. By 1868, the school outgrew the Crozer Old Main building and relocated to its current location.<ref name=Jordan>{{cite book|last1=Jordan|first1=John W.|title=A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and Its People|date=1914|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|page=465|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofdelawar02jord#page/465|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref>
In 1862, the school moved to [[West Chester, Pennsylvania]]. By act of assembly on April 8, 1862, the [[Pennsylvania legislature]] incorporated the school as a university under the name of Chester County Military Academy.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ashmeade|first1=Henry Graham|title=History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania|date=1884|publisher=L.H. Everts & Co.|location=Philadelphia|page=[https://archive.org/details/cu31924006215655/page/n405 350]|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924006215655|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
From 1892 to 1966, the school was known as Pennsylvania Military College (PMC) and was under the direction of General Charles Hyatt. PMC was once one of the nation's [[United States senior military college|senior military colleges]]. In 1869, Pennsylvania Military College was the first school to have a [[U.S. Army]] detail stationed at the school and to receive federal arms for training. In 1904, the school was recognized on the first list of distinguished institutions published by the [[U.S. War Department]]. In 1923, "American March King" [[John Philip Sousa]] wrote and dedicated "The Dauntless Battalion" march to PMC's President (Colonel Charles E. Hyatt), the faculty and the cadets of PMC. Sousa had been presented with an honorary doctor of music degree by the college in 1920, and he was impressed by the cadet cavalry horsemen.<ref name=PMC.org>{{cite web |title=Our History |url=https://pennsylvaniamilitarycollege.org/about-us/ |website=www.pennsylvaniamilitary.college.org |access-date=27 September 2018}}</ref>▼
In 1865, the school moved to Chester, Pennsylvania, and occupied the building which would become the Old Main building of the [[Crozer Theological Seminary]]. By 1868, the school outgrew the Crozer Old Main building and relocated to its current location.<ref name=Jordan>{{cite book|last1=Jordan|first1=John W.|title=A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and Its People|date=1914|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|page=465|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofdelawar02jord#page/465|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref>
===20th century===
▲From 1892 to 1966, the school was known as '''Pennsylvania Military College''' (PMC) and was under the direction of General Charles Hyatt. PMC was once one of the nation's [[United States senior military college|senior military colleges]]. In 1869, Pennsylvania Military College was the first school to have a [[U.S. Army]] detail stationed at the school and to receive federal arms for training. In 1904, the school was recognized on the first list of distinguished institutions published by the [[U.S. War Department]]. In 1923, "American March King" [[John Philip Sousa]] wrote and dedicated "The Dauntless Battalion" march to PMC's President (Colonel Charles E. Hyatt), the faculty and the cadets of PMC. Sousa had been presented with an honorary doctor of music degree by the college in 1920, and he was impressed by the cadet cavalry horsemen.<ref name=PMC.org>{{cite web |title=Our History |url=https://pennsylvaniamilitarycollege.org/about-us/ |website=www.pennsylvaniamilitary.college.org |access-date=27 September 2018}}</ref>
In 1966, the school changed its name again to PMC Colleges, which incorporated Pennsylvania Military College as well as Penn Morton College, which had a non-military, co-educational curriculum. The school expanded the Chester campus from 25 acres to 90 acres.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pennsylvania Military College – or how Widener became Widener |url=http://phillyhistoryphotos.com/pennsylvania-military-college-or-how-widener-became-widener/ |website=www.phillyhistoryphotos.com |date=24 August 2014 |access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref> Graduate programs were introduced in 1966,<ref name="arch">{{cite web| url = https://www.dot7.state.pa.us/ce/SelectWelcome.asp| title = National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania| publisher = CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System| format = Searchable database}} ''Note:'' This includes {{cite web| url = {{NRHP-PA|H000706_01H.pdf}}| title = National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Old Main and Chemistry Building| access-date = 2012-01-06| author = Thomas Carnwath and Nancy M. Steele | format = PDF| date= October 1977}}</ref> and female students were first enrolled in 1967.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coulter |first1=John A. |title=Cadets on Campus: History of Military Schools of the United States |date=2017 |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |location=College Station, Texas |isbn=9781623495213 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Xp3DgAAQBAJ&q=pennsylvania+military+college&pg=PT230 |access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref>
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In 1972, the institution was renamed Widener College to honor the memory of [[Eleanor Elkins Widener]], the maternal grandmother of [[Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr.]], a generous supporter of the organization over four decades and a member of the prominent [[Widener family]] of Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Old Main and Annex |url=http://hcap.artstor.org/cgi-bin/library?a=d&d=p1985 |website=www.hcap.artstor.org |access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref> The Corps of Cadets disbanded, although an [[Army ROTC]] program was retained. The Widener University School of Law was acquired in 1975, which was split in 2015 to become two separate law schools: one on the Delaware campus and another in Harrisburg – [[Widener University Commonwealth Law School]]. In recognition of its comprehensive offerings, Widener College became Widener University in 1979. Today, Widener is a four-campus university offering more than 80 programs of study.
===Architecture===
[[File:Jonathan Edwards Woodbridge Manor House.jpg|thumb|The Manor House on the campus of Widener University built by [[Jonathan Edwards Woodbridge]] in 1888]]
The Manor House was designed and built by [[Jonathan Edwards Woodbridge]] in 1888 at 14th and Potter Street. It was a wedding gift to his wife, Louise Deshong, and was originally named "The Louise". It was modeled after the late 19th-century English country manor style and is unique for its hand-made brick construction.
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The [[Old Main and Chemistry Building]] were listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1978.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
===Timeline===
Throughout its long history, the university has undergone several name changes. The following table details the various names Widener has held over the years as well as any significant organizational changes that occurred during each period.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
| 1821–1846
| '''The Bullock School for Boys''', founded by John Bullock in [[Wilmington, Delaware]]
|- valign="top"
| 1846–1853
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|- valign="top"
| 1892–1966
| '''Pennsylvania Military College''', (also known as '''PMC''')
|- valign="top"
| 1966–1972
| '''PMC Colleges''' (for Pennsylvania Military College and Penn Morton College, the civilian component)
* 1966: offered nursing program with College of Nursing of Crozer Foundation; first women admitted; first graduate program introduced (engineering)
* 1970: School of Nursing starts
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| 1979–present
| '''Widener University'''
* 1980: University College program, an (undergraduate evening school), starts
* 1981: School of Hotel and Restaurant Management opens, (renamed School of Hospitality Management in 1996)
* 1989: Harrisburg Campus opens
* 1993: School of Human Service Professions begins
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* 2013: Freedom Hall opens; Informatics, communication studies, and computer information systems have state-of-the-art technology to work with
* 2015: The School of Hospitality Management and the School of Education, Innovation, and Continuing Studies merge to create the School of Education, Hospitality, and Continuing Studies.
* 2015: Widener University School of Law – which used to be one school, sitting on two university campuses becomes Widener University Delaware Law School in Wilmington and Widener University Commonwealth Law School in [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]].
|}
==Campuses==
Widener consists of three campuses located in [[Chester, Pennsylvania]], [[Wilmington, Delaware]], and [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]].
Widener consists of four campuses, the Main Campus in Chester, Pennsylvania, plus campuses in [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]], [[Delaware]], [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], [[Pennsylvania]], and [[Exton, Pennsylvania|Exton]], [[Pennsylvania]]. Founded in 1866 after the school moved to Chester, the {{convert|108|acre|km2|adj=on}} main campus consists of over 100 buildings and serves all undergraduate day students as well as Continuing Studies, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) students, and graduate students. Widener's graduate programs include business, education, engineering, nursing, social work, physical therapy, and clinical psychology.
Founded in 1866 after the school moved to Chester, the Chester campus serves all full-time undergraduate day students, part-time adult and continuing studies students, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) students, and graduate students.
The School of Law, which opened in 1976 on the Delaware Campus, consists of 16 buildings across {{convert|40|acre|m2}} and is {{convert|12|mi|km}} from the Main Campus. It contains the School of Law as well as the Legal Education Institute. Some classes for Continuing Studies students and graduate business students are also held here. The {{convert|21|acre|m2|adj=on}} Harrisburg Campus, opening in 1989, contains the [[Widener University Commonwealth Law School]] and has graduate programs in nursing and social work held there. In July 2015, Widener School of Law, which used to be one school sitting on the Delaware and Harrisburg campuses, split to become [[Widener University Delaware Law School]] in Wilmington and [[Widener University Commonwealth Law School]] in Harrisburg.
Widener School of Law opened in 1976. In July 2015, Widener School of Law, which used to be one school sitting on the Delaware and Harrisburg campuses, split to become [[Widener University Delaware Law School]] in Wilmington and [[Widener University Commonwealth Law School]] in Harrisburg.
Starting in 2004, the Exton Campus was added to Widener's growing institution. It is located in a business park {{convert|25|mi|km}} from the Main Campus. It primarily serves Continuing Studies students and contains Widener's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which provides continuing education programs for retired adults.
==Academics==
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Over the years, the museum fell into disrepair and in July 1984 the trustees that managed the art museum dissolved the trust. The Asian and impressionistic art collection were given to Widener University and are displayed in their permanent collection.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Waltzer|first1=Jim|title=The Fight to Bring Chester Back From the Brink|url=http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/June-2015/The-Fight-to-Bring-Chester-Back-From-the-Brink/|website=www.mainlinetoday.com|date=21 May 2015 |access-date=6 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Permanent Collection |url=http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/art_gallery/permanent/default.aspx |website=www.widener.edu |access-date=19 July 2018}}</ref>
The PMC Museum highlights the legacy of the Pennsylvania Military Academy of Cadets with exhibits of sabres, uniforms, scrapbooks, newspapers, and yearbooks.<ref>{{cite web |title=PMC Museum |url=http://www.widener.edu/about/campus_resources/pmc_museum/default.aspx |website=www.widener.edu |access-date=19 July 2018}}</ref>
===Rankings and classifications===
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==Athletics==
Widener has 22 [[varsity letter|varsity]] teams (11 for men and 11 for women) participating in [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]] within the [[MAC Commonwealth Conference|MAC Commonwealth]] of the [[Middle Atlantic Conferences]] (MAC). Formerly known as the Pioneers, their nickname changed to the Pride in the Fall of 2006 after a student poll.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.widener.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=296| publisher=Widener University| title=Widener University Announces New Mascot| access-date=2007-03-31 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071001050511/http://www.widener.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=296 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-10-01}}</ref> Widener sports teams include:
*Men's and Women's varsity: [[college basketball|basketball]], [[cross country running|cross country]], [[lacrosse]], [[collegeCollege soccer in the United States|soccer]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[indoor track and field]], outdoor track and field, volleyball and golf.
*Men's varsity: [[college baseball|baseball]] and [[college football|football]]
*Women's varsity: [[field hockey]] and [[college softball|softball]]
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|access-date=2014-10-09
}}</ref> Approximately 12% of all undergraduates are members.<ref name="usnews_widener_clubs" /> Widener's Greek organizations include:
*Fraternities: [[Alpha Tau Omega]], [[Phi Delta Theta]], [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]], [[Kappa Sigma]], [[Theta Chi]], and [[Theta Delta Sigma]](Coco-ed)
*Sororities: [[Alpha Kappa Alpha]], [[Zeta Phi Beta]], [[Delta Phi Epsilon (social)|Delta Phi Epsilon]], [[Phi Sigma Sigma]], [[Sigma Sigma Sigma]], and [[Alpha Omega Epsilon]]
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{{Colleges and universities in metropolitan Philadelphia}}
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[[Category:Widener University| ]]
[[Category:1821 establishments in Pennsylvania]]▼
[[Category:Chester, Pennsylvania]]▼
[[Category:Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1821]]
[[Category:EasternPrivate Pennsylvaniauniversities Rugbyand Unioncolleges in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania]]▼
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Delaware County, Pennsylvania]]▼
[[Category:Widener family]]
▲[[Category:Universities and colleges in Delaware County, Pennsylvania]]
▲[[Category:Universities and colleges in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania]]
▲[[Category:Chester, Pennsylvania]]
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[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Pennsylvania]]