History of College of Liberal Arts
1829
Athenaeum is founded.
1839-1840
The Young Men’s Association, founded in 1837 and merged with the Athenaeum in
1838, lists on its schedule of lectures the following topics: American history,
human physiology, the phenomenon of chemistry, architecture, ancient empires,
Scottish history, geology as illustrative of natural theology, and political economy.
1847
The Athenaeum merges with the Mechanics Literary Association to become the Rochester
Athenaeum and Mechanics Association. Speakers include Oliver Wendell Holmes, James
Russell Lowell, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Scientific lectures and demonstrations are
also offered.
1891
The Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Association merges with the Mechanics Institute,
founded in 1885, to form the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute.
1901
The institute publishes a small booklet to advertise a new class in the teaching of
English. The goal of the class is “to teach the pupils…not only to have
an idea, but be able to express that idea in correct, clear, forcible English.”
1901-1917
Formal courses in the humanities and social sciences appear early in the
institute’s curriculum. Prior to World War I, courses are offered in
English, sociology, psychology, history of education, public speaking, educational
sociology, and pedagogy.
1924
Calvin Thomason, appointed supervisor of the Liberal Studies Component of the
curriculum, directs the development of liberal arts courses for students in the
industrial arts. There are four courses taught in the liberal arts component:
economics, psychology, management, and human relations.
1926
Mark Ellingson, later president of the institute, is hired to assist Calvin Thomason.
1950
Calvin Thomason retires.
1961
The College of General Studies is formed and Dr. James Wilson is appointed its first
dean.
1967
Dr. Paul Bernstein is appointed Dean of the College of General Studies.
1971
A degree program in social works is started.
1972
The college undergoes a revision of its curriculum.
A criminal justice degree program is established.
1974-1975
The College of General Studies’ faculty numbers 60.
1976
The Caroline Warner Gannett Professorship in the Humanities is established.
1977
Professor Dane Gordon appointed acting dean, Dr. Paul Bernstein appointed graduate
dean of the college.
1978
Dr. Mary Sullivan is appointed Dean of the College of General Studies.
1979-1981
The College of General Studies engages in a major curriculum revision, with new
curriculum implemented in 1981. Humanities and social science courses (liberal arts
curriculum) consist of 54 hours for the majority of RIT undergraduate programs. Upper-division concentrations are introduced.
1981
Technical liberal studies option (now called University Studies) is established
for students who have not decided on an RIT major.
1982
The College of General Studies is renamed the College of Liberal Arts.
1984
A degree program in economics is established.
1985
A degree in professional and technical communication is established.
1986
The college’s first graduate degree, a master’s program in school
psychology, is established.
1987
Dean Mary Sullivan resigns to return to teaching. Dr. Stanley McKenzie is named
acting dean.
1988
Dr. William J. Daniels, from Union College, is named dean of the College of Liberal
Arts.
The Arthur J. Gosnell Professorship in Economics is established.
1989
The Ezra A. Hale Professorship in Applied Ethics is established.
1995
A new curriculum review is initiated.
1997
A degree program in psychology is established.
1998
Dean William J. Daniels resigns to return to teaching. Dr. Diane Hope named interim
dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
1999
The College of Liberal Arts introduces minors to RIT’s curriculum.
Dr. Andrew M. T. Moore, Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Yale University, is appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
2000
The dean’s office area and the student services area are remodeled.
2001
A graduate degree program in communication and media technologies is established.
Bachelor of science and master of science degrees in public policy are established.
A new curriculum review is created.
2003
The college establishes the Foreign Language Technology Center.
A bachelor of science degree in urban and community studies is established.
2003-2004
The College of Liberal Arts faculty reaches 136 members.