DeVry University - History

History

DeVry was founded in Chicago and opened in 1931 as the DeForest Training School, named after Lee DeForest, a colleague and friend of founder Herman A. DeVry. In 1953, the name changed to DeVry Technical Institute in dedication to its founder. In 1966 the school was acquired by the Bell and Howell company, and became part of its Education Group division. In 1985 The Bell & Howell Education Group became known as DeVry Institutes, which was sold to Keller-Taylor Corporation, parent company of the Keller Graduate School of Management in 1987 to become DeVry, Inc.. DeVry acquired Ohio Institute of Technology in 1968, Becker Professional Review in 1996, Ross University in 2003, and the Deaconess College of Nursing in 2005. DeVry did not acquire rights to use the name "Deaconess College of Nursing", so it was renamed "Chamberlain" in 2006.

In 1995, DeVry was suspended from Ontario's student loan program after a large number of its students misreported their income. DeVry was reinstated after paying fines of CAD$1.7 million and putting up a bond of CAD$2 million.

In 1996, students of DeVry's Toronto campus filed a class-action suit claiming poor educational quality and job preparation; the suit was dismissed on technical grounds.

In November 2000, Afshin Zarinebaf, Ali Mousavi and another graduate of one of DeVry University’s Chicago-area campuses filed a class-action lawsuit accusing DeVry of widespread deception, unlawful business practices and false advertising and alleging that students were not being prepared for high tech jobs. The lawsuit contributed to a 20% slide in the company's stock. The class was not certified and the case was resolved for less than $25,000 in June 2006.

In 2001, DeVry obtained permission from the Alberta government to grant degrees, on recommendation by the Private Colleges Accreditation Board. This decision was opposed by the Alberta New Democratic Party (sitting in opposition), the Canadian Federation of Students, and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (the concerns raised are similar to those about other private institutions). The NDP claimed conflict of interest as one of the controversial executives of DeVry Inc. served as both the president of DeVry's Calgary campus and as a member of the Premier of Alberta's special advisory council on postsecondary education. Nonetheless, DeVry became the first school of its kind to be able to grant degrees in Canada.

In January 2002, Royal Gardner, a graduate of one of DeVry University’s Los Angeles-area campuses, filed a class-action complaint against DeVry Inc. and DeVry University, Inc. on behalf of students in the post-baccalaureate degree program in Information Technology. The suit alleged that the nature of the program was misrepresented by the advertising. The lawsuit was dismissed and refiled. During the first quarter of 2004, a new complaint was filed in the same court by Gavino Teanio with the same general allegations. This action was stayed pending the outcome of the Gardner lawsuit. The lawsuits were being settled in late 2006.

In April 2007 the State of New York settled with three schools that were participating in questionable student loan practices. DeVry, Career Education Corporation, and Washington University in St. Louis were involved with the settlement. DeVry agreed to refund $88,122 back to students.