Lawrence University: A Legacy of Liberal Arts and Musical Excellence in Wisconsin
Lawrence University, a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music located in Appleton, Wisconsin, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1847. With a commitment to providing a broad education in many subjects and a special focus on music, Lawrence has become a distinguished institution known for its academic rigor and vibrant campus life. The university's motto is "Light! More Light!".
Founding and Early Years
Lawrence University was established on January 15, 1847, before Wisconsin even became a state. The institution was founded by William Harkness Sampson and Henry R. Colman, who secured $10,000 in funding from Amos Adams Lawrence, a Boston merchant. The Methodist church matched Lawrence's gift. Both Sampson and Colman were ordained Methodist ministers. Initially named the Lawrence Institute of Wisconsin in 1847, the name was changed to Lawrence University before classes began on November 12, 1849. The campus was built on land purchased from the Menominee tribe.
Lawrence University holds the distinction of being the first college in Wisconsin founded as a coeducational institution. The first collegiate class, consisting of seven students (four men and three women), graduated in 1857.
The early years of Lawrence University were marked by the challenges of a developing frontier, including the failure of wheat crops, the disruptions of the Civil War, and financial instability. Despite these obstacles, the institution persevered in its commitment to providing quality education. The Lawrence conservatory of music was established but lasted only briefly.
Growth and Transformation
A period of significant growth occurred during the presidency of Samuel G. Plantz, an alumnus of the class of 1880, who served from 1894 to 1924. During his tenure, Plantz oversaw substantial development and worked to increase the endowment from less than $100,000 to $2,000,000.
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In 1913, the institution adopted the name Lawrence College to emphasize its focus on undergraduate liberal education. This name was retained until 1964, when the school merged with Milwaukee-Downer College and reverted to the name Lawrence University.
The consolidation with Milwaukee-Downer College was a significant event in Lawrence's history. Milwaukee-Downer College was formed in 1895 through the merger of Milwaukee College, a women's college founded in 1851, and Downer College, founded in 1854. The merger of Lawrence College and Milwaukee-Downer College created a stronger institution with a broader range of resources and expertise. 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.
Academic Programs and Curriculum
Lawrence University offers a variety of academic programs in the liberal arts and music. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Music, or a Bachelor of Musical Arts. Additionally, a five-year dual degree program allows students to earn both a B.A. and a B.Mus.
The Lawrence Conservatory of Music, established in 1874, is a renowned institution within the university. Approximately 25% of Lawrence students are enrolled in the Conservatory, studying performance, music theory, music education, and other areas of musical specialization.
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A distinctive feature of Lawrence's curriculum is the First-Year Studies program (formerly named Freshman Studies), a mandatory one-term class for all new students. This program, initiated in 1945, involves the study of 11 classic works of literature, art, and music, with the specific selections varying each year. The First-Year Studies program aims to provide a common academic experience for all students and introduce them to broad areas of study.
In conjunction with the paper making industry in the area, Lawrence established the Institute of Paper Chemistry. It was a graduate institute for training paper chemists, organized by Lawrence but financed by the paper industry.
That commitment to liberal arts education received further articulation during the administration of President Henry Merritt Wriston (1925-1937), when the college charted a course that it has followed faithfully to the present day, including the 1933 introduction of tutorial courses. Freshman Studies, today called First-year studies, was implemented into the curriculum thanks to the advocacy of President Nathan Marsh Pusey (1944-1953).
Campus and Facilities
The 84-acre campus of Lawrence University is located in downtown Appleton, divided by the Fox River. The academic buildings are situated on the north side of the river, while the major athletic facilities, including the 5,000-seat Banta Bowl, are on the southeast shore.
In addition to the main campus, Lawrence also owns a 425-acre estate called Björklunden vid sjön in Door County, Wisconsin. This estate serves as a retreat and conference center, hosting seminars, concerts, and theatrical performances. Björklunden vid Sjön, Swedish for "Birch Grove at the Lake" (but commonly translated to "Birch Forest by the Water") is a 441-acre estate on the Lake Michigan shore just south of Baileys Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin. A place of great beauty and serenity, the estate was bequeathed to Lawrence University in 1963 by Donald and Winifred Boynton of Highland Park, Illinois.
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In 2009, Lawrence opened the Richard and Margot Warch Campus Center, a central gathering place for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Warch Campus Center, named after Richard (president 1979-2004) and Margot Warch, opened. The building is LEED Gold certified for meeting sustainability goals in energy conservation, environmental friendliness, and green building.
Colman Hall, the first of 5 buildings constructed during the tenure of President Douglas Knight (1954-63), was constructed. Other buildings constructed during Knight's tenure were the Music-Drama Center, Plantz Hall, Trever Hall, and Youngchild Hall.
Student Life and Traditions
Lawrence University offers a vibrant student life with a variety of activities and traditions. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, fostering close relationships between students and professors.
At the beginning of every academic year in September, incoming freshmen arrive a week before returning students to partake in Welcome Week.
During the fall term, the on-campus fraternity Beta Theta Pi hosts the annual Beach Bash. During spring term, Lawrence hosts a music festival, LU-aroo (a play on words on the popular music festival Bonnaroo).
An on-campus bar, the Viking Room (VR), serves as a beloved campus lounge within the basement of the Memorial Hall classroom building. Professors and other senior university personnel frequently serve as guest bartenders, and "VR tokens" are commonly distributed during campus events or when bartering to exchange for drinks at the bar. Students of drinking age customize a numbered tankard that is stored in the VR and is reused by the individual each time they order a drink.
The campus newspaper, The Lawrentian, comes out once per week while school is in session. Although it is student operated, it receives university funding. It was first published in May 1884 by a committee representing four literary societies at Lawrence University: the Philalathean, and Phoenix ("gentlemen's societies"); and the Athena and Lawrean ("ladies' societies"). Prior to The Lawrentian, the Phoenix Society had published a newspaper called The Collegian from 1867 to 1878, while the Philalathean and Athena societies published The Neoterian from 1876 to 1878.
Intramural sports have always been popular among students, tennis was the first intercollegiate varsity women's athletic team established.
The first Winter Carnival was held. Events included a poetry reading, scavenger hunt, snow sculpture contest, figure skating demonstrations and lessons, maple syrup candy, music, and sledding. The tradition lasted a number of years before taking a hiatus and making a return in 2011.
To bring a focus to jazz music in the Conservatory, professor Fred Sturm (1977-1991, 2002-2014) organized the weekend long event with participants from area high schools as well as Lawrence students. Each year the event brings renowned professional jazz artists to campus for educational workshops and performances to encourage improvisation and jump-start inspiration among ensembles. The emphasis on this, the First 'Jazz Celebration Weekend,' is on jazz education. It is an excellent opportunity for the Fox Valley to see all realms of jazz education.
Lawrence students and Appleton citizens succeeded in claiming the title of "Most People Sledding Down a Hill in a Toboggan" with 187 people on a 104-foot toboggan. The event was memorialized in the 1989 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.
What would go on to claim the title "World's Largest Popsicle" in the 1990 edition of the Guinness Book of World records was created by Lawrence faculty, students and Boldt Construction and displayed at Appleton's Icescape winter festival. Free samples of the enormous popsicle were given to long lines of festival goers. After a fire heavily damaged the original lodge, a new larger building was built and opened in August 1996.
An annual tradition begins with the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, on which the entire Lawrence community is encouraged to participate in volunteer projects around Appleton as a way to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.
Athletics
Lawrence University's intercollegiate athletic teams, known as the Lawrence Vikings since 1926, compete in the Midwest Conference and Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (hockey only) in NCAA Division III. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, fencing, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and track & field; women's sports include basketball, cross country, fencing, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
In 2005-06, the men's basketball team was ranked first in Division III for much of the season, after starting the season unranked. The Vikings were the only undefeated team in all divisions of college basketball for the last six weeks of the season, ending with a record of 25-1.
In 2021, Lawrence unveiled a new athletics logo, featuring a Viking ship incorporating the antelope from the crest on the Lawrence coat of arms.
Notable Alumni
Lawrence University has produced many accomplished alumni in various fields, including:
- Politics: John Miller Baer, Melvin Riley Baldwin, Webster E. Brown, James A. Frear, John Rankin Gamble, Robert Jackson Gamble, Thomas Richard Hudd, Carl Wood Riddick, William Warner.
- Arts and Entertainment: Edna Ferber, William Fuller, Dominic Fumusa, John D. Schneider.
- Sports: Myrt Basing, Champ Boettcher, Ed Glick, Rip Owens.
- Other: Paul Driessen, Siri Engberg, Takakazu Kuriyama, John S. Mills, W. D. Storey.
Recognition and Achievements
Lawrence University is recognized as a strong liberal arts college. Lawrence students have been named Rhodes Scholars seven times. Since 1976, 57 students and nine faculty have received Fulbright Scholarships.
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