Category: Learning

Acorn to Oak: The Danielsen Institute

February 28th, 1952 in Campus, Learning, Research

The Danielsen Institute at Boston University opens in 1952 as a multidisciplinary mental health care clinic licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Institute is also a training and service center accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and offers internship training and continuing education accredited by the American Psychological Association. Albert Danielsen, whose generosity founded and sustains the Danielsen Institute, used the metaphor of an acorn growing into a giant oak to describe what he hoped the institute would become. It is a tree of deep and varied roots—the roots of Albert and Jessie Danielsen, the roots of leadership; the roots provided by Boston University. And from these strong roots grows a great tree that carries on the Danielsen mission of service and growth.” — Carole R. Bohn, Executive Director

CGS (Formerly CBS) Established

February 28th, 1952 in Campus, Learning

The Junior College, a program based on team-teaching that had formerly been a part of the College of General Education, is established. This school is renamed the College of Basic Studies in 1960 and the College of General Studies in 1992.

STH Building Dedicated

February 28th, 1950 in Campus, Learning

ENG Established

February 28th, 1950 in Campus, Learning

The transfer of the New England Aircraft School to the University leads to the establishment of the College of Industrial Technology, renamed the College of Engineering in 1963.

Isaac Asimov Becomes a University Instructor

February 28th, 1949 in Learning

Isaac Asimov becomes a first-year instructor of biochemistry at the School of Medicine. Asimov, the scientist and author, was writing pulp science fiction stories in his spare time at his Somerville home while doing cancer research at the School of Medicine.

Public Relations Degree First Offered

February 28th, 1947 in Firsts, Learning

Boston University is the first university to offer a college degree in public relations at its newly founded School of Public Relations. As related programs are added, this school changes names several times, becoming the College of Communication in 1984.

School of Nursing Opens

February 28th, 1946 in Campus, Learning

The School of Nursing is opened. To the regret of many proud graduates, because of declining enrollment and the increase in subsidized nursing programs at state colleges and universities, it closes in 1988.

Instructional Materials Center

February 28th, 1940 in Campus, Learning

The genesis of the Instructional Materials Center goes all the way back to the fall of 1929, when Abraham Krasker, then a science teacher at Boston Latin School, was hired to offer an SED course called "Visual Education" to science teachers to train them in how to use educational film, still pictures, film slides, and lantern slides (the current technologies of the time) in teaching and learning science.

SSW Created

February 28th, 1940 in Campus, Learning

The School of Social Work is created after the School of Religious Education and Social Service is split; the religious education division merges with the School of Theology. SSW had received provisional accreditation as a seperate school in 1939. Since its inception over ninety years ago, the School has valued differences among people as enriching the quality of life for all.

Aeronautical Engineering Established at Logan Airport

February 28th, 1934 in Campus, Community, Learning, Research

Captain Hilding Carlson and Lt. Arthur B. Metcalf are hired to start the Aeronautical Engineering Department, located at Logan Airport.