Lake Forest College
File:Lake Forest College logo.jpg | |
Motto | Natura et Scientia Amore |
---|---|
Motto in English | Love of Character and Knowledge(?) |
Type | Private |
Established | 1857 |
Endowment | $60.1 million[1] |
President | Stephen D. Schutt |
Provost | Janet McCracken |
Academic staff | 117 |
Students | 1387 |
Location | , , 42°14′59″N 87°49′43″W / 42.2496°N 87.8285°W |
Campus | 107-acre (43.3 ha) residential campus |
Colors | Red & Black |
Nickname | Foresters |
Affiliations | Midwest Conference |
Mascot | Boomer the Black Bear |
Website | www.lakeforest.edu |
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,400 students representing 47 states and 72 countries.[2]
The College's current Chair of the Board of Trustees is Robert D. Krebs.[3] The current President is Stephen D. Schutt, who joined the College in 2001 after serving as the Vice President & Chief of Staff at the University of Pennsylvania.[4]
In addition to strong academic majors in the humanities, social and natural sciences, Lake Forest features inventive programs of study in many contemporary areas, including Latin American studies, business, Asian studies, and Islamic world studies. High achieving students with a unique passion can apply to become Independent Scholars and design their own majors, culminating in a thesis or creative project. Lake Forest's accelerated programs in law, communication, nursing, engineering, and international relations offer highly motivated students a way to finish their degree in only three years, or to complete their bachelor’s while enrolled in a graduate program at a partner university.
There are many opportunities for hands-on experience at Lake Forest with extensive study abroad programs, internships in Chicago and the opportunity to conduct original research with a professor and possibly get published in academic journals, as many students have. Lake Forest professors' work has been published in journals and supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and many others.
The College's Center for Chicago Programs facilitates research and internships at Chicago institutions as well as frequent commutes to the city for work and fun. The Center also brings well-known Chicagoans to campus for classroom discussions, public lectures and performances. More than ninety student groups provide a host of extracurricular opportunities that develop leadership skills and enhance students' campus experience and post-college prospects. Lake Forest is a member of NCAA Division III Midwest Conference and competes in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.
History
Lake Forest was founded in 1857 by Reverend Robert W. Patterson as a Presbyterian (still a member of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities [5]) alternative to the Methodist Northwestern University in Evanston. It was originally named Lind University.[6] It had a medical college from 1859-1863, which later split off and eventually merged with Northwestern university and is thus the predecessor of the Feinberg School of Medicine.
Patterson and his fellow Chicago Presbyterians established the town of Lake Forest as well as the university upon the highest bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. St. Louis architect Almerin Hotchkiss was hired to design the town of Lake Forest with a university park at its center. Hotchkiss used the ravines and forest as guidelines to create a layout that seemed consistent with the natural boundaries and paths. Lake Forest Academy, the first stage in the development of the university began in 1858, while collegiate-level courses began in 1860. By the mid-1860s the fruits of this university park vision were realized as a small New England-style village had been established with an academy building, a Presbyterian church and several homes. For a short time, the college was known as Lind University, named after the man who had given $80,000 to launch the university. But, by 1865, the name reverted to Lake Forest University. In 1876 Mary Eveline Smith Farwell started Lake Forest College, a division of the university, under the leadership of the Reverend Patterson. In 1878, College Hall (now Young Hall) was built following a fire that destroyed the former hotel being used for classes.
The Reverend James Gore King McClure arrived in Lake Forest in 1881 as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church. Under his influence over the next 50 years, the College experienced a large transition "from a pluralistic graduate and professional emphasis to a singular undergraduate liberal arts focus," says Lake Forest College Archivist Art Miller, who co-wrote 30 Miles North: A History of Lake Forest College, Its Town, and Its City of Chicago.[7] During this time, the College's theater group, the Garrick Players, and two of its publications - the yearbook, and student newspaper, The Stentor - were formed. By the 1920s, the College has broken connections with the Academy and its only focus was the liberal arts. Following World War II, the College experienced further growth, taking control of what is now South Campus and constructing the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.
In 1960, William Graham Cole, from Williams College, took over as president and brought with him Eastern faculty and students, further diversifying the campus. During his time as president, in 1965, the school's name was officially changed to Lake Forest College.[8] In March 2010, the college received a gift of $7 million from alumna Grace Groner.[9]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/79/Young_Hall.jpg/220px-Young_Hall.jpg)
Presidents
- Reverend Daniel Gregory, 1878-1886
- Reverend William C. Roberts, 1886-1892
- Dr. John M. Coulter, 1893-1896
- Reverend James Gore King McClure, 1897-1901
- Richard D. Harlan, 1901-1906
- John S. Nollen, 1907-1917
- Herbert M. Moore, 1920-1942
- Ernest Johnson, 1942-1959
- William Graham Cole, 1960-1970
- Eugene Hotchkiss III, 1970-1993
- David Spadafora, 1993-2001
- Stephen D. Schutt, 2001-present
Faculty
With a student-to-professor ratio of 13:1, Lake Forest offers opportunities for close association with professors. No classes at Lake Forest are taught by teaching assistants. All faculty hold a doctorate or equivalent degree.[10] According to the Peterson's college guide, "At the core of the College stands its distinguished faculty of excellent teachers and accomplished scholars." [11]
Notable professors include:
- Robert Archambeau
- Michael H. Ebner - Emeritus
- Carol Gayle
- William Moskoff - Emeritus
- Kent Grote
- Michael Kash
- Janet McCracken
- Ronald Miller
- Ahmad Sadri
- Judy M. Dozier
- Davis Schneiderman
- Stephen D. Schutt
- David Spadafora
- Ghada Talhami (Retired 2008)
- David Boden
- William B. Martin
- Robert Baade
- Carolyn Tuttle
- DeJuran Richardson
- David Yuen
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Durand_Art_Institute.jpg/220px-Durand_Art_Institute.jpg)
Academics
The College offers more than 40 areas of study: African American studies, American studies, Arabic, area studies, art (studio art and art history), Asian studies, biochemistry/molecular biology, biology, business, chemistry, Chinese, classical studies, communication, computer science, economics, education (elementary and secondary), engineering (Dual Degree), English (literature and writing), environmental studies, French, German, history, honors seminar, international relations, Islamic world studies, Italian, Japanese, Latin American studies, mathematics, music, philosophy, physics, politics, Portuguese, psychology, religion, sociology and anthropology, Spanish, theater, urban studies, and women’s and gender studies. Students can also develop their own area of study by working with a faculty advisor and completing a thesis or creative project as part of the independent scholar program. Some recent examples include: "Experimental Theatre and Performance," "Trade Liberalization in Poorer Latin America," "Studies of the European Union: The Creation of a Federal Europe" and "Religion-Applied Spirituality." The College also offers pre-professional programs in law, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacology, publishing, and engineering with faculty support, course suggestions, and testing advice. [12] Large employers of alumni include Abbott Laboratories, JPMorgan Chase, Federal Reserve of Chicago, and SBC Communications.
Off-campus study
Many students take advantage of the College's international study options, including its own internship programs in Paris and Granada, Spain; its Ancient Civilizations Program in Greece; its Border Studies Program on the U.S.-Mexico border; and its Asian studies program in Beijing. Through the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, the school also offers programs in Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, England, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, and Tanzania.
Rankings
- Lake Forest College is a member of The Princeton Review's 371 Best Colleges, appears on its Financial Aid Honor Roll (a list of the 13 schools that received a perfect Financial Aid rating) and Best Midwestern Colleges list. [1]
- Lake Forest College is a Tier 1 school and was ranked as 97th in a list of the top liberal arts colleges in the country by US News & World Report for its America's Best Colleges 2010 Edition. The acceptance rate in Fall of 2008 was 49%. [2]
- Forbes' list of public and private colleges and universities ranks the best schools--from the students' point of view. Ranked #86 out of 600 schools. (http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/02/best-colleges-ratings-opinions-ranking-2009_land.html
First-Year Studies Program
First-year students select one of more than twenty offerings for a first-semester course that serves as an introduction to the academic life at the College as part of the First-Year Studies Program (FIYS). The FIYS professors serve as students' advisors until students declare a major. Courses, covering a wide range of topics - from music, art, and politics to neuroscience, terrorism and religion - often have a focus on Chicago. This allows students to become familiar with the educational, cultural and social resources available in the city.[13]
Richter Scholar Program
In the fall semester a select number of admitted students are chosen to participate in the Richter Scholar Program, which allows them to work with a professor during the summer following their freshman year. During the summer, the students work directly with the professor in a variety of fields. Some recent projects included: "Experiments Illustrating How Lasers can be Used to Manipulate Small Objects," "Federal Housing Policy and Race," "Regulation of Cell Volume in Red Blood Cells," "Do crayfish have a memory?" and "Navy SEAL Selection, Naval Service Training Command." [14]
Accelerated Programs
The College also offers students options for either finishing their degree in three years in communication and philosophy, or to fast-track their career through joint-degree programs in engineering, international studies, and law. Joint-degree programs are available with Rosalind-Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences for pharmacy, Rush University for nursing, the Chicago Kent College of Law, Loyola School of Law, Vermont Law School, Monterrey Institute of International Study, and Washington University (St. Louis) for engineering. [15]
Student life
Around 1,400 students attend the College, and about 86% live on campus.[16] "'Life at Lake Forest is generally laid-back,' with a pace set by the quiet, high-end suburb in which the school is located," says a Princeton Review article.[17] Among the largest and most active student groups on campus are: the student radio station (WMXM), Student Government, PRIDE (LGBT), E.Team (organizes on-campus entertainment) and the Greek organizations.[18]
Center for Chicago Programs
Chicago plays a central role in student life and learning at Lake Forest College. Whether through class visits to the city to explore its cultural riches, internships with Chicago-area businesses, or organized trips with student leaders to experience the city’s ethnic neighborhoods, the Second City is Lake Forest’s second classroom. At the Center for Chicago Programs students can learn about events in the city and surrounding suburbs, get guidance on transportation to the city, and suggestions of where to go when they get there. The Center also brings notable Chicago-area speakers, artists, and performers to campus.
Publications and Media
There are six media organizations on campus:
- The Stentor, the official student-run weekly newspaper, which also publishes The Chive
- Tusitala, first printed in 1935, is the College's annual literary magazine
- Collage, a magazine featuring works primarily written in foreign languages
- Eukaryon, an award-winning life-science research journal publishing student work
- WMXM, the student-run radio station providing an alternative to mainstream radio
- Spectrum, a publication for faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends
Greek life
Sororities
Fraternities
Athletics
Lake Forest competes in Division III and offers 17 varsity sports, nine women's (basketball, cross country, handball, ice hockey, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball) and eight men's (basketball, cross country, football, handball, ice hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, and tennis). The handball teams have won 30 national championships and have received national media attention.[20]
Lake Forest College has been a member of the Midwest Conference since 1974. They were a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin from 1946-1963. They were a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1919-1937.
Also notable has been the greatest growth in campus buildings since the 1960s. This development began with the major renovation, reconstruction and expansion of the 1964 Donnelley Library, 2002-04, now Donnelley and Lee Library. It continued with the completion in 2006 of the Mohr Student Center and the renovation of the 1962 Commons, now Stuart Commons. And this growth continued in 2010 with the opening of the 63,000 sq ft (5,900 m2). Recreation, Sports, and Fitness Center, adjacent to the 1968 Sports Center.
The Sports Center, originally constructed in 1968, has long been home to Forester Athletics. But after the completion of a $17-million, 65,000-square-foot (6,000 m2) recreation and fitness addition, the building was appropriately renamed the Lake Forest College Sports and Recreation Center. This building now provides ample space for both varsity athletic competition (basketball games, volleyball matches, swimming & diving meets, and handball tournaments) and training as well as club sports, intramurals, and general recreation. The completion of this project helps the College to emphasize its commitment to full-body wellness for all students, faculty, and staff.
* Original gymnasium (basketball, volleyball) seats 1,200 * 25-meter swimming pool with diving well and bleachers seating 300 * 1,200-square-foot (110 m2) training room with two offices and separate areas for hydrotherapy, treatment, and rehab * 9,600-square-foot (890 m2) weight room which includes nine half-racks, Hammer-Strength free weight equipment, full lines of selectorized equipment, and 10 Precor cardio machines * 2,500-square-foot (230 m2) cardio suite with 34 Precor cardio machines * 1,200-square-foot (110 m2) dance studio * 1,800-square-foot (170 m2) batting/golf cage * 1/10-mile three-lane cantilevered running track * 22 flat-screen televisions * Three adjacent surfaces (wood court, poured-surface, and artificial turf) with total of 12 basketball hoops, and three drop-down volleyball systems. * Seven varsity lockers rooms for home and visiting teams * Two day-use locker rooms * Three team meeting rooms with 55" televisions * Athletic office suite with three offices and a conference room * Three handball/racquetball courts * Multi-purpose room (converted from squash court) * Tiernan Trophy Room and Forester Athletic Hall of Fame * Cafe/concession stand in lobby
Notable alumni
- Richard Armstrong, director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
- Marsha E. Barnes, diplomat, former U.S. Ambassador to Suriname
- Michael D. Belsky, Appointed to Governmental Accounting Standards Board; Mayor, Highland Park, Illinois
- Nate Berkus, interior designer and decorator
- John Biolo, NFL player
- Herbert Block, political cartoonist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner [21]
- Blair Butler, G4 host, comedy writer
- Jacqueline Carey, bestselling fantasy author
- Allan Carr, producer of the movie Grease, Tony Award winner
- Andrea Day, reporter at WNYW-FOX 5 New York, winner of three Emmy Awards
- James C. Foster, chairman and CEO of Charles River Laboratories, Inc., 2003 Forbes Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year
- Susan Garrett, Illinois State Senator 29th District
- Steve Goodman, Grammy award-winning folk singer, writer of "Go, Cubs, Go"
- Steve Harris, sportswriter for the Boston Herald
- Dean Hayes, 1988 Olympic track and field coach
- Ed Janus, independent audio producer, interviewer, and journalist
- Trevor Kampmann, artist, producer for Cat Power, theme music for CNN's Anderson Cooper 360
- Philip Klinkner, political scientist
- Michael Lane, maritime judge
- Peg Lautenschlager, former Attorney General of Wisconsin
- Ingram Marshall, American composer
- Colin McComb, game designer
- Nicole Moser, professor University of Chicago
- Blaise A. F. Mibeck, research scientist
- Jason A. Neal, award-winning poet and photographer
- Diana Nyad, world-record distance swimmer and sports commentator
- Lloyd John Ogilvie, former United States Senate Chaplain
- Roy L. Pearson, Jr., D.C. administrative law judge
- Nicholas J. Pritzker, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Hyatt Development Corporation
- Penelope Rosemont, surrealist artist and writer
- Adolph Joachim Sabath, United States Representative from 1907 to 1952
- Casey Urlacher, professional football player
- Trent Van Haaften, Indiana State Representative 76th District, 2010 Democratic nominee for Congress in Indiana's 8th district
- Gerald Vizenor, Native American writer, activist, academic and literary critic, began his teaching career at Lake Forest
- Richard Widmark, class of 1936, popular post-WWII era actor, "the face of film noir" [22]
References
- ^ As of June 30, 2010. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2010 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2009 to FY 2010" (PDF). 2010 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ "About Us" Lake Forest College website
- ^ "Trustees" on College's website accessed Sep. 7, 2011
- ^ "President" on College's website accessed Sep. 7, 2011
- ^ "List of Member Schools"
- ^ "History of the College" on the College's website accessed Sep. 7, 2011
- ^ ISBN 978-0963818966
- ^ "History of the College" on College's website accessed Sep. 7, 2011
- ^ "A hidden millionaire's college gift" LA Times
- ^ Current professors completed graduate programs at University of Chicago, Northwestern, MIT, Stanford, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania, among other top universities. Peterson's Four-Year Colleges 2008. Fern Oram, ed., Peterson's 2007, p. 1723. ISBN 9780768924008
- ^ Peterson's p. 1722
- ^ "Departments and Programs" on College's website accessed Sep. 7, 2011
- ^ "New Students > First-Year Studies Program" http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/programs/firstyear/ accessed Sep. 7, 2011.
- ^ "Richter Scholar Program" http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/students/richter.php accessed Sep. 7, 2011.
- ^ "Accelerated Programs" http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/programs/accelerated/ accessed Sep. 7, 2011.
- ^ "Lake Forest College" on Princeton Review website
- ^ "What students say" Princeton Review Web site
- ^ "Clubs and Organizations" on College's website accessed Sep. 7, 2011
- ^ "Clubs and Organizations" on College's website accessed Sep. 7, 2011
- ^ Little Lake Forest Goes Mano a Mano With the Big Guys, New York Times, Feb. 14, 2007. Accessed Jan. 2, 2008.
- ^ Owens, p.219.
- ^ Owens, p. 219.
James Hettrick, Class of 1981. CEO Buxton Machine
Additional readings
- Ebner, Michael H. "North Shore Town and Gown," Chicago History, Summer 2007, pp. 4-29
- Schultze, Franz, Rosemary Cowler & Arthur H. Miller. Thirty Miles North: A History of Lake Forest College, Its Town, and Its City of Chicago. Lake Forest College, 2000. ISBN 0963818961
- Reed, Christopher and Arthur Miller. eds. Lake Forest College: A Guide to the Campus. Lake Forest College, 2007. [3]
External links
- Lake Forest College
- Universities and colleges in Illinois
- Associated Colleges of the Midwest
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities members
- Lake Forest, Illinois
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Educational institutions established in 1857
- Buildings and structures in Lake County, Illinois
- Education in Lake County, Illinois
- Members of the Annapolis Group