The History of Sarah Lawrence College
Below is a timeline of important events throughout the history of Sarah Lawrence College. Compiled by Abby Lester, July 2007.
Click on the photos to view a larger version.
Jump to: 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s
1924
1926
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William Van Duzer Lawrence writes the Letter of Instruction regarding the founding of the College.
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December - Provisional charter granted to incorporate Sarah Lawrence College for Women.
1927
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May 16 - William Van Duzer Lawrence dies.
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May 25 - Affiliation with Vassar College Ratified.
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June 1 - By-Laws adopted by the Board of Trustees.
1928
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Beatrice Doerschuk begins term as Director of Education (1928-1946).
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October - The College welcomes its first students.
1929
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Perkin's House (9 Mead Way) purchased.
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Wayside Cottage (7 Mead Way), later named Warren House, purchased. Served as the President’s House from 1929 to 1947.
1930
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June - First graduating class (117) receives the diploma.
1931
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September 10 - Absolute charter to grant B.A. degree awarded.
1932
1933
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June - First Bachelor of Arts degree awarded to Isabella Hayes at Commencement.
1934
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Robinson House purchased (2 Mead Way).
1935
1936
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December 9 - Charter Day is celebrated signifying the 10th anniversary of the granting of the provisional charter.
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December 9 - Affiliation between the Board of Trustees of Vassar College and Sarah Lawrence College terminated. At the termination of the affiliation, Henry Noble MacCracken resigns from the Board of Trustees.
1937
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Morris House purchased (8 Mead Way).
1945
1946
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Esther Raushenbush appointed Dean of the College (1946-1957).
1947
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February 28 - Name of the College officially changed from Sarah Lawrence College for Women to Sarah Lawrence College.
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May - Second President’s House (24 Brook Road) purchased. (Demolished in 1953 to build Sprain Brook Parkway).
1949
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July 15 - Amendment approved by Regents to grant M.A. degree. The College introduces programs leading to individualized M.A. degrees.
1951
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First M.A. degrees granted (2 to men, 2 to women).
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The last of the men on the G.I. Bill graduate.
1954
1955
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Tweed House purchased.
1957
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Laura Bornholdt appointed Dean of the College (1957-1959).
1959
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Gerard Fountain appointed Acting Dean and then Dean of the College (1959-1961).
1960
1961
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Marjorie Downing appointed Dean of the College (1961-1964).
1962
1963
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Mansell House (10 Mead Way) purchased.
1964
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Esther Raushenbush appointed Acting Dean of the College (1964-1965).
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August - Brebner House purchased.
1965
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Jacquelyn Mattfeld appointed Dean of the College (1965-1971).
1967
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North Building completed.
1968
1969
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April 25 - Charter amended to grant M.F.A. degree in the performing arts and creative writing.
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The Human Genetics Graduate Program is established as the first graduate-level genetic counselor training program in the U.S.
1970
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Swinford House purchased.
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Lyles House purchased.
1971
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Robert Wagner appointed Dean of the College (1971-1977).
1972
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Women’s History Graduate Program established as the first M.A. program of its kind.
1974
1976
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Slonim Woods completed.
1977
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Alison Baker appointed Dean of the College (1977-1980).
1980
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Health Advocacy Graduate Program established.
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Ilja Wachs appointed Dean of the College (1980-1985).
1981
1984
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Purchase of Faculty House (161 Hampshire Road).
1985
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Art of Teaching Graduate Program established.
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Barbara Kaplan appointed Dean of the College (1985-2007).
1987
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Child Development Institute established and housed in the newly acquired 123 Boulder Trail.
1989
1990
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Schmidt House (6 Mead Way) purchased.
1994
1998
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Campbell Sports Center completed.
2001
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Hill House purchased.
2004
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45 Wrexham purchased.
2007
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Pauline Watts appointed Interim Dean of the College (2007-2009).
2009
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Jerrilynn Dodds appointed Dean of the College (2009- ).
This page was last modified December 16 2011, 10:10 a.m. Content maintained by SLC Archives.
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