Building on a bold vision and significant institutional momentum, Widener launched a transformative strategic initiative in 2019—to think about the future of everything we do and to reimagine student support services to meet the demands of a radically shifting world. Using innovative scenario planning, the university’s most creative and open-minded thinkers developed a suite of forward-thinking strategic narratives to ensure the university remains both proactive and poised to respond with agility to emerging changes.
A clear strategy emerged from this work: a focus on institutional nimbleness and the enhancement of the student experience we call “Agility Experienced.” Like its development, the implementation of our strategy is dynamic and bold, with a focus on leveraging the tenets of design thinking and user experience. Implementation teams of students, faculty, and staff from across the university are now using this strategy, as well as market research to put our vision in motion. A metaphor that illustrates their work is that the people of Widener build with “LEGO blocks” rather than “poured concrete.”
In short, through clear-eyed assessment and flexible thinking, we will maximize agility and continuous improvement.
Our work did not result in a published plan. Rather, as intended, it resulted in a strategy that is constantly enlarged and reinforced as we enact it everywhere and invite ideas and input from across the university. As the people and departments of Widener embody the power, reach, and extendibility of Agility Experienced, we’ll increase our capacity to adapt to rapid change and best position the university for continued success.
Renovations to Academic Center North, Cottee Hall, and the Chester Community Clinic in the newly renamed Julie E. Wollman Hall will help facilitate and support Widener’s focus on interprofessional learning.
When the pandemic struck, Widener education faculty developed a webinar to help teachers learn more about online instruction. It focused on collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking and led some participants to enroll in Widener's online teaching endorsement certification program.
When COVID-19 forced the closure of K-12 schools in mid-March, Widener student teachers found themselves embarking on a new partnership with Agora Cyber Charter School.
Pennsylvania Military College begins in 1821 as a Quaker boarding school for boys. Established by John Bullock in Wilmington, Delaware, the school remains at this location until 1862.
Old Main opens to incoming students in Sept. 1868 after the school moves to its permanent home in Chester. Initially housing classrooms and cadet living quarters, it was re-built in 1883 after a fire. Today it remains most iconic building on campus.
The principle sport for cadets in the early years of PMA, baseball developed rapidly after the Academy’s relocation to Chester and this first team photo appeared in 1891.
In 1892, PMA receives collegiate status and becomes Pennsylvania Military College, which will remain for 80 years. This typical advertisement for Pennsylvania Military College appeared in 1908.
Pennsylvania Military Preparatory School is established on the PMC Campus in 1916 to educate students aged 12 to 16 and remains a feeder school for PMC until it closes in 1956.
For several years in the early 1920s, the football team has an unusual mascot, a bear named Sergeant.
Room inspection was a regular part of military school life, which cadets had to prepare for weekly, as shown in this picture from the 1930s.
In 1953 the Dept. of Defense integrates all U.S. military schools. PMC admits Charles Lowrie (pictured left) to the Prep School in 1954, and Howard Scott (pictured right), Class of 1957, becomes the first African American graduate of PMC.
In 1966, the institution’s name changes to PMC Colleges. PMC Colleges’ new structure includes Pennsylvania Military College and its civilian counterpart, Penn Morton College. Pictured here are the seals from both colleges.
In 1966 twelve women enroll in Penn Morton College under joint program with Crozer Foundation College of Nursing, becoming first female undergrad students. Nursing becomes a popular undergrad program on campus, allowing students to earn RN degree.
When Penn Morton enrolls women, this photograph is staged for a 1968 advertisement in Time Magazine. Its caption: “We decided PMC needed a more rounded student body.”
A complex set of issues, including declining cadet enrollment, leads the school to disband the corps in 1972. This picture features the last cadet class.
In the fall of 1972, the school broadens its curriculum and becomes Widener College. It is named after Board of Trustee member Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr.’s prominent Philadelphia family, the Wideners. Pictured here is the Widener College Seal.
The fledgling Delaware Law School, established in Wilmington, Del., affiliates with Widener College in 1975. Widener merges with Brandywine College in 1976, acquiring its suburban Wilmington campus. The law school relocates here in 1978.
The 1977 Football Team wins the NCAA Division III Championship. In this picture, Coach Manlove celebrates the victory with players and students.
Widener College achieves University Status in 1979. This change reflects the continued expansion of the academic curriculum and the increasing number of graduate programs. Pictured is the new Widener University Seal.
The School of Law Opens a Harrisburg Branch in 1989. The Harrisburg campus provides those interested in careers in public law the opportunity to pursue degrees in close proximity to the state’s capitol.
Widener establishes collaboration and exchange program with 3 universities in Chongqing, China in 2007. Pictured here are Widener social work professors and social work faculty at the Chongqing Technology and Business University.
Widener's School of Engineering marks its 150th Anniversary in 2012. Pictured here are engineering students and faculty during the celebration.
The Widener Campus has growth considerably over the years. The aerial view above from 1942 depicts a small campus with few buildings. The aerial view below from 2014 shows the vibrant, sprawling metropolitan campus that Widener has become.
In 2015, Julie Wollman becomes the 10th president of the institution and the first woman to hold this post.
