CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE
June 15, 1967
Page 16075
A COLLEGE IN TRANSITION
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I would like to call to the attention of my colleagues an article appearing in the May 1967 issue of the Maine Teacher describing the transition of Husson College.
The Husson story of growth illustrates the splendid results which can be obtained through cooperation of Federal and State agencies, local government, and private enterprise.
I am sure that each of my colleagues will be impressed with the achievement of Maine's outstanding business college.
I ask unanimous consent that the article be inserted in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.
There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
A COLLEGE IN TRANSITION -- HUSSON COLLEGE STANDS ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA
The transition of Husson College from a proprietary school to a non-profit, degree granting college dedicated to educating young people for professional careers in business clearly demonstrates the significant role of the college of business in higher education today. From a faculty of four to a faculty of nearly 60, from a graduating class of four to a graduating class of 210; from two classrooms on the second floor of a building on Columbia Street to a multimillion dollar campus -- Husson College has become a recognized leader in business education for the youth of Maine and the nation.
The growth and present posture of Husson College reflects the tireless perseverance of a dedicated staff under the leadership of its president, Chesley H. Husson, Sr. Throughout the past 44 years the efforts of the College administration and faculty have been directed toward improvement and refinement of the curriculum in all programs of professional business education.
In 1953 Husson College was authorized to confer baccalaureate degrees to graduates of its four-year programs, and in 1965 it was authorized to grant associate in business science degrees to graduates of its two-year programs. Husson College is accredited as a senior college of business by the Accrediting Commission for Business Schools which has been designated as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Office of Education under the provisions of Public Law 550. The administration of the College is exploring other areas of accreditation.
Throughout its history Husson College has endeavored to conduct its total program in an environment permeated by the philosophy that a successful individual is the product of sound and comprehensive academic, social, and spiritual training. To this end, the technical and professional content of its academic degree programs is balanced by equal content in the liberal studies: English, languages, history, mathematics, sociology, biology, speech, and psychology. Its extracurricular program includes competitive sports, both intercollegiate and intramural, social, service and semiprofessional groups, religious organizations, and other activities for the development of social graces and spiritual and ethical maturity. Except for chapters of Pi Rho Zeta and Kappa Delta Phi where membership is by invitation, all extracurricular programs are open to all members of the student body. Participation is voluntary.
Husson College provides a wide range of courses for any qualified student. In the baccalaureate degree programs Husson College offers four areas of study: bachelor of science degree in accounting, bachelor of science degree in business administration, bachelor of science degree in business education, and bachelor of science degree in secretarial science. Within each of these curricula, the broad areas of specialization are balanced by equal hours in the liberal studies.
A bachelor of science degree in accounting affords candidates the opportunity to prepare for careers in private, governmental or public accounting or to pursue advanced study toward graduate degrees or the rating of certified public accountant.
The Department of Business Administration concentrates on finance, insurance, management, and marketing. These programs also are enriched by selected courses in the liberal studies.
In the Department of Business Education one of three major areas of specialization may be elected: accounting, business administration or secretarial science. At least half of the course content for business education is composed of liberal studies. Recipients of the B.S. degree in business education qualify for certification by the State of Maine for teaching business subjects in secondary schools. The Maine State Teachers Professional Business Education Certificate is issued to candidates recommended by the Department Head.
The Department of Secretarial Science program leading to a B.S. degree contains technical and professional courses supplemented by an equal number of hours in liberal studies.
Within the accounting and business administration departments two-year programs provide an opportunity for students to qualify for an Associate in Business Science degree or to continue for a Bachelor of Science degree.
In the Department of Secretarial Science, associate in business degrees are awarded to graduates of the executive secretarial course, legal secretarial course, liberal arts secretarial course. and medical secretarial course, all two-year programs.
Several one-year courses leading to a diploma are included in the curriculum. Husson College desires at all times to maintain the standards of character and efficiency which are required in the accredited colleges and universities of the United States and which are consistent with the demands of modern society and business. For this reason, the College seeks students who are best qualified by previous training, health, character, and personality to pursue a college course.
Among the requirements for admission, therefore, are a recommendation and a satisfactory transcript from the secondary school, a health certificate from the family physician, and evidence of personality and character suitable for college work. In general, the policy is to give every ambitious youth his chance.
The applicant's secondary school program need not have conformed to a rigid pattern. Applicants are invited from secondary school students in the fall of their senior year. Students must apply for admission prior to May 15; applications received after that date, will be considered only insofar as classroom and dormitory facilities permit.
The College requests that the applicant take the Scholastic Aptitude Test of the College Entrance Examination Board. This examination should be taken at the earliest possible date during the student's senior year of high school. Arrangements may be made to take the test by consulting the high school principal or guidance counselor.
After the College has accepted a student. he will be required to report for two days of orientation and testing. Three of these sessions are held each year; in the spring, in early summer, and in August. The purpose of the program is to acquaint the prospective student with the campus and its services, to meet college officials, and to take a battery of tests. The test results are used to determine placement in classes and to aid student service officers in counseling.
The present Husson College complex is made up of four academic buildings. additional classroom space in the former Bangor High School building, two dormitories, YMCA facilities, and motels and private homes for student housing. The administration building, erected in 1940, has offices on the first floor; typewriting laboratories, machine room, duplicating room, and two lecture rooms on the second floor; cafeteria and student lounge on the ground floor.
Dickerman Hall, which is adjacent to the administration building, was completed in 1957. It houses the College library, four lecture rooms and a student lounge. Hart Hall was renovated for occupancy in 1958. It contains the College bookstore, administration offices, electronic data processing equipment, and one classroom. Carlisle Hall was purchased in 1963 and provides 11 classrooms.
The majority of male students live at Husson Hall, the former Penobscot Hotel, which was renovated in 1962. Additions included new furnishings for the rooms and complete remodeling of the kitchen and dining room facilities.
Bell Hall accommodates a limited number of women students. Specialized Management Services, Inc., caters both the men's and women's dormitories as well as the campus cafeteria.
Over the years, many students with limited financial resources have been assisted by the College in finding ways to finance their education. Although scholarship assistance is somewhat limited, Husson College participates in the National Defense Student Loan program which provides financial aid to students who show evidence of need and academic promise. Repayment of National Defense Student Loans begins after graduation and may extend for as long as ten years. A maximum of 50 percent of the loan may be canceled for recipients who complete five years of full time public school teaching.
Supplementing the federal loan and grant programs are other opportunities to help finance educational costs such as part time employment on campus, part time employment off campus, private loan plans, and bank loans. Students and prospective students are urged to discuss any financial problems with college officials.
Through its counseling and guidance services, Husson College is able to assist students with academic, social or personal problems. Faculty advisers, dean of men, dean of women, chaplain, counselors, and all members of the administrative staff are available to aid students in solving problems with which they may be faced.
The placement office assists students in securing part time. employment, and arranges interviews for professional placement after graduation. Nearly 70 representatives from business, industry, and government visit the Husson Campus yearly to recruit both seniors and alumni.
The student body for the Academic Year 1966-67 numbers 1141, of whom 73 percent are Maine residents. Representatives from 14 other states and 11 foreign countries complete the student community. Since 1926 Husson College has awarded a total of 3,007 diplomas and degrees.
Among the College's alumni may be found school administrators, superintendents, principals, and guidance directors; business teachers both in secondary schools and collegiate schools of business within and without the state; bank and corporate executives; government personnel; office personnel both in business and the military; controllers and certified public accountants.
Husson graduates have taught, or are teaching. in over 50 percent of Maine secondary schools. Many have been accepted and have completed satisfactory graduate study qualifying for M.BA., M. Ed., M.A., M.S., LL.B., Ph. D. degrees.
The new $10 million Husson College campus is the result of vision and perseverance. Now under construction and due for occupancy in the fall of 1968, the new campus complex of six buildings will be ranged in a circular pattern resembling a "wagon wheel" design. At the center of the "wheel" will be an electronic bell tower, a gift presented by alumnae sorority members of Epsilon Delta Chapter of Pi Rho Zeta International under the leadership of Clara L. Swan, Past International President.
Located approximately three miles north of downtown Bangor, the first-phase development project occupies 32 acres of newly acquired property totaling some 304 acres. Within the complex of modern buildings are three dormitories, a dining hall, academic building, and a physical education training center.
Each of the three dormitories (two men's and one women's) will provide living accommodations for 306 students or a total of 918. Each dormitory will provide double-occupancy rooms, lounges. a house master's suite, and related facilities.
Directly across from the dining hall, which will seat 500, and toward the hub of the "wagon wheel," will be the academic building. It will contain a large library, 38 classrooms, administration and faculty offices. In addition to general classrooms, it will also provide science laboratories, electronic data processing laboratory and other specialized class rooms, a seminar hall seating 100. student and faculty lounges, cafeterias, and departmental conference rooms.
The physical education training center will allow the College to expand its physical education program to include all students. This facility will feature two regulation sized playing courts, separate judo, wrestling, weight, and handball rooms, a rifle range and an Olympic sized swimming pool with one- and three-meter diving boards. The Center will seat 2,400 spectators. Offices and staff rooms, locker, shower, and laundry facilities will be located throughout the building.
Construction of the six new buildings is being financed through federal grants and loans, a participating bank loan from Maine commercial and savings banks, and gifts from business and industry, foundations, friends, alumni, faculty, parents, and students.
Since 1898 it has been the policy of Husson college to provide education of the highest quality to the young people who seek business training. Its history is one of growth and expansion. The College is proud of its heritage and will continue its efforts to maintain a college which is progressive and modern.