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This article is about the liberal arts college in Wisconsin. For the similarly-named university in Michigan, see Lawrence Technological University.
Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college located in Appleton, Wisconsin. Founded in 1847, the first classes were held on November 12, 1849. Lawrence was the second college in the United States to be founded as a coeducational institution. Lawrence University has a 425-acre (1.72 km2) northern property, Björklunden, in Door County, Wisconsin, which serves as a site for retreats, seminars, concerts, and theatrical performances. Donald and Winifred Boynton of Highland Park, Illinois, donated the property to Lawrence in 1963. The student newspaper is known as The Lawrentian. Lawrence University is known by many for the Great Midwest Trivia Contest broadcast every January over the college radio station WLFM. The contest is now exclusively webcast because of WLFM's move away from traditional FM radio broadcast.
[edit] HistoryLawrence's first president, William Harkness Sampson founded the school with Henry R. Colman, using $10,000 provided by philanthropist Amos Adams Lawrence, and matched by the Methodist church. Both founders were ordained Methodist ministers, but Lawrence was Episcopalian. The school was originally named Lawrence Institute in its 1847 charter from the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature. Lawrence's first period of major growth came during the tenure of alumnus Samuel G. Plantz as president. From 1894 until 1924, when Plantz presided over the school, its student body grew from 200 to 800. From 1913 until 1964, the school was named Lawrence College, to emphasize its small size and liberal arts education focus. The name was changed to Lawrence University when it joined with Milwaukee-Downer College, symbolizing the two schools united as one. The state of Wisconsin then purchased the Milwaukee-Downer property and buildings to expand the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Initially, the university designated two entities: Lawrence College for Men and Downer College for Women. This separation has not lasted in any material form, though degrees are still conferred "on the recommendation of the Faculty of Lawrence and Downer Colleges" and the university by-laws still make the distinction. The Lawrence Dean of Women was referred to as the "Dean of Downer", but when the offices of Dean of Men and Dean of Women were merged to form the Dean of Students, the substantive duties of the "Dean of Downer" came to an end; the title is still born by a senior female professor, but her only duty is to carry the Downer Mace in academic processions. The Lawrence Conservatory of Music, usually referred to as "the Con", was founded in 1894. The university confers a Bachelor of Music degree and also offers a five-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in addition to the music degree. Lawrence University is distinguished by originating the idea of freshman studies.[citation needed] Freshman Studies at Lawrence is a mandatory two trimester class that panoptically exposes students to noted literature from many fields. President Nathan M. Pusey is credited with initiating the program in 1945, although Professor Waples chaired the Freshman Studies Committee and was responsible for actually implementing the program. The program continues to this day, despite being temporarily suspended in 1974, and has been adapted by many liberal arts colleges. [edit] Milwaukee-Downer traditions The traditions and heritage of Milwaukee-Downer are woven into the Appleton campus, from the grove of hawthorn trees (called Hawthornden) between Brokaw and Colman halls, to the sundial on the back of Main Hall, to the bestowing upon each class a class color and banner. When the University had separate offices for a "Dean of Women" and a "Dean of Men", the officer overseeing women students was called the "Dean of Downer." That title is still borne by the senior woman on the faculty, but her only duty now is carrying the Downer mace in academic processions. For many years the women's choir was called the Downer Chorus. At one time the BA was conferred upon women in the name of "Downer College of Lawrence University" and upon men in the name of "Lawrence College of Lawrence University"; now all bachelor's degrees are conferred in the name of "Lawrence & Downer Colleges of Lawrence University." [edit] Ranking and reputationLawrence consistently ranks in the first tier of liberal arts colleges in the report released by U.S. News & World Report.[citation needed] Lawrence is also highlighted as a "best value" by Princeton Review. The school is one of the few colleges in America that has need-blind admissions, and the college awards both need and merit-based financial aid to over 93% of its students. Lawrence is included in Loren Pope's, Colleges That Change Lives In 2009, Forbes ranked Lawrence 41st on the list of America's 600 Best Colleges, which combined national research universities and liberal arts colleges in a single survey[1] [edit] Academics Lawrence University operates on a trimester calendar. The academic year runs from mid-September to mid-June. The student/faculty ratio at Lawrence is 9:1, much lower than the national average.[citation needed] Lawrence grants Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees. A double degree is possible and double degree students are not uncommon. Lawrence offers a number of cooperative degree programs in areas such as engineering and environmental studies. The college has major programs in most areas of the liberal arts. The school also offers the option of interdisciplinary majors and allows students to create their own majors. All students are required to take Freshman Studies, which introduces students to broad areas of study and provides a common academic experience for the college. The school has an independent study option that allows students to design their own courses. This allows students to explore academic interests not covered by Lawrence’s classes or to explore topics more deeply. Over 90% of the students take advantage of the independent study program. In 2005, Lawrence University began the Lawrence Fellows Program, initially selecting eight recent Ph.D.s to teach and research at Lawrence for a period of two to three years. The goal is to expand the program to twenty Ph.D.s. [edit] Student bodyLawrence enrolls about 1,400 students who hail from nearly every U.S. state, though the majority of them are from Wisconsin and other Midwestern states. Over 75% of the students identify as white. About 12% of the students are international students. [edit] Athletics In 2005-06, Lawrence University men's basketball team was ranked number one in NCAA Division III for much of the season after starting the season unranked. The team was the only undefeated team in all divisions of college basketball for the last six weeks of the season, ending up with a record of 25-1. Star forward Chris Braier won the Josten's Award as the top player in the country for both playing ability and community service. Coach John Tharp was named Division III Midwest Coach of the Year. Excitement among fans caused attendance to increase to capacity for home games, causing local fire officials to demand that Lawrence cap attendance for the NCAA tournament games that Lawrence would host. The university decided to issue passes to attendees. Following their win of the Midwest Conference Tournament in 2009, the Vikings have qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament in five of the last six years. Their best finish was in 2004 when they lost in the Elite 8 to eventual national champion University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point 82-81 in overtime in Tacoma, Washington. [edit] Distinguished alumni
[edit] Distinguished faculty
[edit] University presidents
[edit] See also[edit] References[edit] External links
Categories: Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association | Midwest Conference | Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | Associated Colleges of the Midwest | Educational institutions established in 1847 | Lawrence University | Liberal arts colleges | Music schools in the United States | Universities and colleges in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities | National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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