Wheelock College

Wheelock College

To improve the lives of children and families.
Former names	Miss Wheelock's Kindergarten Training School
Motto	"Tough Enough to Inspire a World of Good"
Type	Private liberal arts college
Established	1888
Endowment	US$45.7 million[1]
President	Dr. David J. Chard
Academic staff	163
Undergraduates	811
Postgraduates	358
Location	Boston, Massachusetts, United States Coordinates: 42°20′30.1″N 71°6′22.9″W / 42.341694°N 71.106361°W / 42.341694; -71.106361
Campus	Urban 1.5 acres (0.61 ha)
Colors	Yellow and Blue
Athletics	NCAA Division III
Sports	basketball, soccer, tennis, field hockey, lacrosse, cross country, softball
Nickname	Wildcats
Mascot	Willy The Wildcat
Affiliations	Colleges of the Fenway AICUM NAICU[2]
Website	www.wheelock.edu

Bas-relief of Friedrich Fröbel, founder of the kindergarten movement, over the library doorway

Wheelock College (or Wheelock) was founded in 1888 by Lucy Wheelock as Miss Wheelock's Kindergarten Training School to improve the quality of early childhood education.^[3] The College offers undergraduate and graduate programs that focus on the Arts & Sciences, Education and Child Life, and Social Work and Family Studies to fulfill their mission of improving the lives of children and families. Wheelock is located in Boston (Massachusetts), and is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway. Wheelock is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM) and led by President David J. Chard. The College is accredited by:

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

The Wheelock Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division III in the New England Collegiate Conference.^[4] The College offers five varsity men’s teams and six varsity women’s teams,^[5] as well as intramural teams through the Colleges of the Fenway. In addition to athletics, Wheelock College offers many clubs and organizations that allow students to become involved on campus and in the community.^[6]

History

Lucy Wheelock

• 1888: Lucy Wheelock began a kindergarten teacher training class at the former Chauncy-Hall School (now Chapel Hill – Chauncy Hall School).^[7]
• 1892: Wheelock Alumnae Association- Lucy Wheelock travels nationally and internationally, lecturing widely on the subject of kindergarten and early childhood education. She is elected to the Kindergarten Committee of the National Education Association, which established the International Kindergarten Union (IKU). The Wheelock Alumnae Association is formed, with Ella Smith Wheelock '92 (Lucy Wheelock's sister-in-law) as President.^[7]
• 1895: The one-year program extends to two years. From the beginning, observation of children and practice teaching are central to the Wheelock School program. Service to the communities of immigrant children and families in the many settlement houses of Boston becomes another core part of the program and every student participates. Lucy becomes the IKU’s second President.^[7]
• 1896: The Wheelock School becomes an independent school and moves to 284 Dartmouth Street; a dormitory system begins with three students.^[7]
• 1914: Moved to current location on the Riverway in Boston^[7]
• 1926: A Three-Year Program-The two-year curriculum is extended to three years to include the preparation of teachers for nursery, kindergarten and primary grades.^[7]
• 1930: Name changes from Miss Wheelock's Kindergarten Training School to The Wheelock School: A Training School for Teachers of Nursery School, Kindergarten and the Primary Grades. Over 300 students are enrolled.^[7]
• 1939: Lucy Wheelock retires after 50 years as director. Wheelock School incorporated as nonprofit Wheelock College. Authorized to grant Bachelor of Science degree.^[8]
• 1940: The Lucy Wheelock Child Center opens in Roxbury. Dr. Winifred E. Bain is appointed the Principal of Wheelock College by the Board of Trustees.^[7]
• 1946: Lucy Wheelock passes away on October 1.^[7]
• 1952: Graduate Programs - Wheelock College secures approval from the Board of Collegiate Authority of Massachusetts Department of Education to extend its programs to include graduate work leading to advanced degrees, and to admit male graduate students. The first graduate students are admitted in 1953.^[7]
• 1955: Dr. Winifred Bain retires and is succeeded by Dr. Frances McClellan Mayfarth.^[7]
• 1962: President Mayfarth retires, and Dr. James E. Conner is appointed as President of Wheelock College.^[7]
• 1964: 75th Anniversary 75th anniversary of the founding of Wheelock College. Wheelock is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.^[7]
• 1966: Dr. Margaret H. Merry is appointed President.^[7]
• 1967: The college adopts a trimester schedule and men are admitted to the undergraduate program.^[7]
• 1971: Dr. Merry resigns, and Dr. Donald R. Cruickshank becomes President.^[7]
• 1972: Dr. William L. Irvine is named Acting President.^[7]
• 1973: Dr. Gordon L. Marshall is appointed President.^[7]
• 1974: The Towne Art Gallery and Little Theatre are created from a generous donation by alumna Marion Hartog Towne, class of 1926.^[7]
• 1975 Division of Continuing Education is created with Dr. Edgar Klugman as Director.^[7]
• 1980: Sally Reeves Edmonds, '55, becomes the first woman Chair of the Board of Trustees.^[7]
• 1981: Wheelock Family Theatre created; their first production was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.^[7]
• 1983: Gordon Marshall retires and, Dr. Daniel S. Cheever, Jr. becomes the President of the College.^[7]
• 1984: First Bachelor of Social Work degree awarded.^[7]
• 1989: Wheelock celebrates its 100th Anniversary.^[7]
• 1991: Daniel Cheever leaves, and Gerald N. Tirozzi becomes President.^[7]
• 1992: The Center for International Education, Leadership, and Innovation is opened, graduating Wheelock's first students in Singapore.^[7]
• 1993: Marjorie Bakken is named Acting President. She is formally inaugurated the following year.^[7]
• 1994: Wheelock College joins the Colleges of the Fenway consortium and begins sharing courses, student services, buildings, and social activities across five other area institutions.^[7]
• 2004: Jackie Jenkins-Scott formally inaugurated as the 13th president of Wheelock College.^[7]
• 2005: Wheelock College and Jumpstart announce inaugural partnership, providing students with a new field experience opportunity.^[7]
• 2012: Wheelock launches its first online courses focused on improving science and mathematics education for elementary school students.^[7]
• 2016: Dr. David J. Chard begins term as 14th president of Wheelock College.^[9]

Academics

Undergraduate Programs

The principal undergraduate academic units of Wheelock College are the Professional majors, and the Arts and Sciences majors.

Undergraduate Majors^[10]

• American Studies, BA
• Art History, BA
• Child Life Dual Degree, BA/BS and MS
• Communications and Media Literacy, BA
• Early Childhood Education with 5th Year Master's, BS and MS
• Educational Studies, BS
• Elementary Education, BS or BA
• Environmental Studies, BA
• Humanities and Writing, BA
• Integrated Sciences, BA
• Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy, BS
• Mathematics for Teaching, BA
• Mathematics/Science for Teaching, BA
• Performing Arts, BA
• Political Science and Global Studies, BA
• Psychology and Human Development, BS
• Science for Teaching, BA
• Social Work, BSW
• Social Work/Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy Dual Degree, BSW
• Special Education, BS or BA
• Visual Arts, BS

Graduate Programs

• Child Life and Family Centered Care
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Studies
• Elementary and Special Education
• Language & Literacy Studies
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Social Work
• Social Work/Nonprofit Leadership Dual Degree

Online Graduate Degree Programs

Wheelock offers one Master's degree programs online:^[11]

• Teaching Elementary Math and Science (STEM)

Additionally, students can participate in two online graduate certificates:

• Advancing Mathematics Content Knowledge in Grades 1-6
• Advancing Science Content Knowledge in Grades 1-6

International Degree Programs

Wheelock offers bachelor’s and master’s programs abroad. Current and past sites include Singapore, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

• International Visiting Scholars

Wheelock hosts accomplished individuals from around the world. Through classes and seminars, scholars share their expertise with Wheelock students, faculty, and the broader community.

• International Service Learning Trips

Students participate in trips abroad that combine service with learning. Recent trips include teaching English to elementary students in West Africa and working with an anti-sectarian program in Northern Ireland.

Honors Program

Entering first-year students are automatically eligible for admission into the Honors Program if they have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher and an SAT score (combined Critical Reading and Math Sections) of at least 1100. All accepted students who meet these requirements will receive an invitation to join the program. Honors students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 to remain in the Honors Program.^[12] Wheelock has a chapter of Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society.^[13]

Student life

• 65% of undergraduates live on campus^[4]
• 28 registered clubs and organizations, including a Student Government Association and individual class councils.^[4]
• The Campus Center building is LEED-certified and contains a new student center, dining hall, and residence hall with suite-style accommodations for 108 students. It reportedly has "magnificent views of Boston." ^[14]
• Student Policy Fellows Program helps students to develop their leadership, advocacy, and policy skills through a seminar and a field placement with a state legislator.

Community Service

Wheelock Family Theatre

• Wheelock students provide an estimated 193,000 hours of service annually to the community through field experiences in more than 280 organizations.^[15]
• The Wheelock Mattahunt Community Partnership is a vibrant and unique partnership between the City of Boston, the Mattapan community, and Wheelock College that is committed to bringing forth a quality, sustainable community center filled with programs and services designed to respond to the needs and assets of the people in Mattapan. Wheelock College was awarded the 2012 John Blackburn Award from The American Association of University Administrators for its work at the Mattahunt Community Center.^[16]
• 100% of all graduate social work students complete at least 1,200 hours in community settings during their academic program.^[17]
• 100% of the 26 clubs on campus participate in or initiate community service programs.^[17]
• In 2011, The Center of Excellence for Military Children and Families was established by Wheelock College in collaboration with the Massachusetts National Guard and the Military Child Education Coalition to draw attention to the many services available to aid military children and families, maximizing the visibility of military support systems and offering the resources of the Wheelock community to military families.^[18]
• Founded in 2007, the Aspire Institute mobilizes the expertise of Wheelock faculty and community partners to advance knowledge; promote effective policy, practice, and research; and develop innovative solutions to social and educational challenges.
• Through its major productions, school and community partnerships, and educational programs, the professional Wheelock Family Theatre makes theatre accessible and affordable to more than 35,000-40,000 people annually.

President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

     The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes institutions of higher education that support exemplary community service programs and raise the visibility of effective practices in campus community partnerships.^[19] In 2014, Wheelock was recognized with distinction for their strides in the General Community Service category. The College chose to highlight three aspects of its curricula in the application: its partnership with the Mattahunt Community Center in Mattapan, MA; the Presidential International Service Learning Program; and the Ubuntu Arts Project, which is implemented annually by the Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy seniors.^[20] Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community challenges and as a result, in encouraging more students to pursue a lifelong path of civic engagement that achieves meaningful and measurable outcomes in the communities they serve. Honorees for the award were chosen based on a series of selection factors, including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses. This is the fourth consecutive year that Wheelock has been recognized by the Corporation for National and Community Service for achievements in community service with a place on the Honor Roll.^[20]

Sport

The Wheelock Wildcats participate in eleven NCAA Division III sports, competing in the New England Collegiate Conference.^[4]

Women's Athletic Teams:

• Field Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Softball
• Cross-Country
• Track & Field

Men's Athletic Teams:

• Basketball
• Lacrosse
• Tennis
• Cross-Country
• Soccer
• Track & Field
• Volleyball

In addition to the varsity teams, there are intramural competitions between the Colleges of the Fenway.

Notable people

• Judith Black, storyteller, studied education at Wheelock.^[21]
• Philip R. Craig, author of the J.W. Jackson series, was a professor at Wheelock College from 1965 until retired to become a full-time writer in 1999.^[22]
• Gail Dines, professor of sociology and women's studies, most noted as an anti-pornography activist and for speaking on the subject of sexist images in the media.^[23]
• Margaret Hamilton, actress most famous for her role as the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz^[24][25]
• Eleanor Emlen Myers, archaeologist^[26]
• LacyJane Folger, Miss Hampton beach 2008, Miss Boston 2009, Graduated 2008 then masters in 2011^[27]
• Gilda E. Nardone (M.S. educational administration), women's employment advocate and nonprofit director^[28]
• Mimi Stewart, American politician and a Democratic member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, Representing District 21 since January 1995^[29]
• Deborah A. Miranda, a Native American writer and poet.^[30]
• Kathryn Lasky, an American children and adults writer^[31]
• Elaine Macmann Willoughby, an American educator and writer of children's books, graduated in 1949 as vice-president of her class^[32]
• Plum Johnson, a Canadian writer and publisher, who won the RBC Taylor Prize in 2015^[33]

See also

• Bank Street College of Education
• Erikson Institute
• Pacific Oaks College

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wheelock College.

• Official website
• Official athletics website
• Wheelock Family Theatre