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Timeline

Widener’s historical highlights are listed in the timeline below. For an overview of Widener’s history, refer to Widener’s vision and history.

1821 – 1868

1821–1846

John Bullock establishes the Bullock School for Boys, in Wilmington, Delaware, to prepare young men for “entry to college.”

1846–1853

Samuel Alsop becomes new headmaster of The Alsop School for Boys.

1853–1859

Theodore Hyatt assumes leadership of Hyatt’s Select School for Boys after Alsop, and introduces military instruction in 1858.

1859–1862

Hyatt’s Select School for Boys gets incorporated under the charter of the Wilmington Literary Institute as the Delaware Military Academy.

1862

With the move to a new facility in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Delaware Military Academy becomes Pennsylvania Military Academy.

1868

Pennsylvania Military Academy relocates to Chester, Pennsylvania, the present home of Widener University.

1892 – 1972

1892–1966

Pennsylvania Military Academy becomes Pennsylvania Military College (PMC), modeled after West Point, the renowned U.S. military academy. Graduates serve honorably in the U.S. Army through many military conflicts, including the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

1966–1972

Penn Morton College, a coeducational counterpart to PMC, admits women and civilians for the first time. Eventually, both colleges become known as PMC Colleges (a combined version of the Pennsylvania Military College and Penn Morton College).

1966

A nursing program with College of Nursing of Crozer Foundation starts. The first graduate program - engineering - is introduced.

1970

School of Nursing is established.

1972 – 1993

1972

PMC Colleges becomes Widener College. PMC Corps of Cadets disbanded.

1972

Academic programs organized into four schools: Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Nursing, and Management.

1975

Delaware Law School acquired.

1976

Delaware Campus opens as part of merger with Brandywine Junior College.

1979

PMC Colleges renamed Widener University.

1980

University College program starts.

1981

School of Hotel and Restaurant Management opens; renamed School of Hospitality Management in 1996.

1989

Harrisburg Campus opens.

1993

School of Human Service Professions established.

2004 – Present

2004

Exton Campus opens.

2006

Metropolitan Hall, a new state-of-the-art apartment-style residence hall, is added to the Main Campus. New state-of-the-art Wellness Center (added to the existing Schwartz Physical Education Center) opens to the campus community; includes a 24-foot climbing wall.

2011

Founders Hall, a 35,000-square-foot, three-story building is added to the Main Campus to house the School of Nursing and the Oskin Leadership Institute.

Difference makers

School of Nursing 8:1 Student/Faculty Ratio

Program Highlight

The 1821 Experience
In this pre-orientation program, you will explore how multiculturalism adds to the college experience and connect with other students on campus.

Program Highlight

Summit Widener
This multi-day backpacking trip, led by members of the Outdoor Adventure Club, offers incoming Widener students a chance to build self-confidence and a social network of like-minded students on campus while having fun in the Appalachian Mountains.

Program Highlight

ELEVATE
This student life leadership program, Enhancing Leadership Experience Via Activities, Training, and Engagement, aka ELEVATE, allows you to build or hone your leadership skills with learning tracks for emerging student leaders.

Program Highlight

Oskin Leaders
The Oskin Leaders program inspires and equips Widener undergraduates to courageously leverage their passion and leadership skills to create significant, positive change.

Program Highlight

PSC/Bonner Leaders Program
This program connects Widener students with a service movement of college students around the country. Students in the Presidential Service Corps/Bonner Leaders Program complete 300 hours of community service and a variety of leadership activities.

Difference Makers

Continuing Studies
University College student Dale Kerns Jr. established the Little Angels Foundation, which provides financial and emotional support for children suffering from cancer, tumors, and other deadly diseases.

Difference Makers

College of Arts & Sciences
Chemistry Major Anna Miller ‘12, from East Prospect, PA, served as site team leader at CityTeam International in Chester, where she coordinated the efforts of 10 other PSC students.

Difference Makers

College of Arts & Sciences
Anthropology Major Sara E. McManus ’13 has been named a 2012 Newman Civic Fellow, an award that recognizes inspiring college student leaders who have worked to find solutions for challenges facing their communities.

Difference Makers

Alternative Spring Break
Anthropology Major Jess Viscuso ’12 and Nursing Major Devin Weesner ’13 coordinated Alternative Spring Break efforts for 87 students and faculty and staff chaperones at six locations throughout the U.S.

Difference Makers

Institute of Physical Therapy Education
Doctoral Student Scott Cheney serves on the board of the Society for Student-run Medical Clinics, where he is one of five national directors charged with planning the society’s international conference.

Difference Makers

Widener University
President James T. Harris III has been appointed chair of the Board Directors for the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) for 2012–13. Harris has served on the AICUP Board of Directors since 2007, most recently as vice-chair.

Difference Makers

Widener Observatory
Dr. Harry Augensen, associate dean of science and professor of physics and astronomy, helped alumnus Dominic Liberto ’08 arrange a private moment during a public viewing at the Widener University Observatory to propose to his girlfriend, Jenn. She said yes!