Wheelock College - History

History

• 1888: Lucy Wheelock began a kindergarten teacher training class at the former Chauncy-Hall School.
• 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.
• 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.
• 1986: The Wheelock School becomes an independent school and moves to 284 Dartmouth Street; a dormitory system begins with three students.
• 1914: Moved to current location on the Riverway in Boston, Massachusetts
• 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.
• 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.
• 1939: Lucy Wheelock retires after 50 years as director. Wheelock School incorporated as nonprofit Wheelock College. Authorized to grant Bachelor of Science degree.
• 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.
• 1946: Lucy Wheelock passes away on October 1.
• 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.
• 1955: Dr. Winifred Bain retires and is succeeded by Dr. Frances McClellan Mayfarth.
• 1962: President Mayfarth retires, and Dr. James E. Conner is appointed as President of Wheelock College.
• 1964 75th Anniversary 75th anniversary of the founding of Wheelock College. Wheelock is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
• 1966: Dr. Margaret H. Merry is appointed President.
• 1973: Dr. Gordon L. Marshall is appointed President.
• 1975 Division of Continuing Education is created with Dr. Edgar Klugman as Director.
• 1981: Wheelock Family Theatre created; their first production was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
• 1983: Gordon Marshall retires and, Dr. Daniel S. Cheever, Jr. becomes the President of the College.
• 1984: First Bachelor of Social Work degree awarded.
• 1989: Wheelock celebrates its 100th Anniversary.
• 1991: Daniel Cheever leaves, and Gerald N. Tirozzi becomes President.
• 2005: Jackie Jenkins-Scott formally inaugurated as the 13th president of Wheelock College.
• 2012: Wheelock launches its first online courses focused on improving science and mathematics education for elementary students.