Lawrence University - Definition and Overview

Lawrence University, located in Appleton, Wisconsin, is a private undergraduate college founded in 1847. The first classes were held on November 12, 1849. Lawrence was the second college in the United States to be founded coeducational.

Lawrence's first president, William Harkness Sampson founded the school with Henry R. Colman, using $10,000 provided by famed philanthropist Amos Lawrence and matched by the Methodist church, of which both founders both were ordained ministers. Originally the school was named Lawrence Institute, documented in its 1847 charter from the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature.

Lawrence's first period of major growth came during the tenure of alumnus Samuel Plantz as president. From 1894 until 1924, Plantz presided over the school and led its student body to grow 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 back to Lawrence University when it joined with Milwaukee-Downer College for Women, symbolizing the two schools united as one. Initially, the university designated two entities: Lawrence College for Men and Downer College for Women. This separation has not lasted, though degrees are still conferred on the recommedation of the Faculty of Lawrence and Downer Colleges. To this day, 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 year a class color and banner. Milwaukee-Downer alumni are generous both financially and spiritually to Lawrence University, attending yearly reunions and other events there, and contributing to the school's hefty endowment.

The Lawrence Conservatory of Music 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.

Although the names are similar, Lawrence University is not related to Sarah Lawrence College or St. Lawrence University.

Lawrence University is also known by many for the Great Midwest Trivia Contest broadcast every January over the college radio station WLFM.

Distinguished alumni

• Richard Bush, chairman & managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan
• Louis B. Butler, Jr., chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Dale Duesing, baritone
• James D. Ericson, chairman Northwestern Mutual
• John Rankin Gamble, congressman from South Dakota
• Raymond Herzog, president and chairman of 3M
• Jeffrey Jones, actor
• Scott Klug, congressman from Wisconsin
• Harry M. Kraemer, Jr., chairman and CEO of Baxter International
• John A. Luke, Jr., CEO of MeadWestvaco.
• Bob Landis, Emmy-award winning cinematographer
• Terry Moran, chief White House correspondent for ABC News
• David Mulford, U.S. ambassador to India
• Campbell Scott, actor
• Janet Steiger, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission
• Mark Uhlemann, bass-baritone

Past Lawrence presidents

   * 1849-1853 William Harkness Sampson, principal
   * 1853-1859 Edward Cooke, president
   * 1859-1865 Russell Zelotes Mason, president
   * 1865-1879 George McKendree Steele, president
   * 1879-1883 Elias DeWitt Huntley, president
   * 1883-1889 Bradford Paul Raymond, president
   * 1889-1893 Charles Wesley Gallagher, president
   * 1893-1894 L. Wesley Underwood, acting president
   * 1894-1924 Samuel G. Plantz, president
   * 1924-1925 Wilson Samuel Naylor,acting president
   * 1925-1937 Henry Merritt Wriston, president
   * 1937-1943 Thomas Nichols Barrows, president
   * 1943-1944 Ralph Jerome Watts, acting president
   * 1944-1953 Nathan Marsh Pusey, president
   * 1954-1963 Douglas Maitland Knight, president
   * 1963-1969 Curtis William Tarr, president
   * 1969-1979 Thomas S. Smith, president
   * 1979-2004 Richard Warch, president
   * 2004-     Jill Beck, president

External links

• Official site (http://www.lawrence.edu)