The History of Grahm Junior College

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The History of Grahm Junior College
Bill Tarkulich ‘75
Boston, Massachusetts
October, 2013
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Contents
The History of Grahm Junior College ............................................................................................................ 1
The Startup from New York – All Business................................................................................................ 4
Broadcast Ambitions ................................................................................................................................. 7
Robbery ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Acceptance Rate, Yield and Graduation Rate ........................................................................................... 9
Curriculum Advancement ....................................................................................................................... 10
Expansion ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Grahm Junior College .............................................................................................................................. 13
Student Rights ......................................................................................................................................... 14
The Vietnam War .................................................................................................................................... 15
Drugs ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
School of Business (To be added) ........................................................................................................... 16
School of Communications (To be added) .............................................................................................. 17
Barry Awards (to be added) ................................................................................................................ 17
Communications Day (to be added) ................................................................................................... 17
DR. BARRY CRONIN ............................................................................................................................. 18
Greek Life ................................................................................................................................................ 19
School Activities ...................................................................................................................................... 19
Spotlight: Dick Walsh ......................................................................................................................... 19
Sports ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
Events (To Be Added) .............................................................................................................................. 20
Alumni (To Be Added) ............................................................................................................................. 21
Five Year Master Plan ............................................................................................................................. 21
On Top of the World – NEASC Accreditation .......................................................................................... 22
Commencement Speakers (to be added) ............................................................................................... 23
The Tipping Point, 1975 .......................................................................................................................... 23
Spring 1977 ............................................................................................................................................. 24
1977 Reorganization ............................................................................................................................... 26
March .................................................................................................................................................. 26
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April ..................................................................................................................................................... 26
June ..................................................................................................................................................... 26
August ................................................................................................................................................. 26
1977-78 Academic Year .......................................................................................................................... 27
October ............................................................................................................................................... 27
November ........................................................................................................................................... 27
1978 .................................................................................................................................................... 27
1978-79 Academic Year .......................................................................................................................... 28
October ............................................................................................................................................... 28
March .................................................................................................................................................. 28
April - Graduation ............................................................................................................................... 28
Retrospective .......................................................................................................................................... 31
The Need for Transformation ............................................................................................................. 31
Political Factors ................................................................................................................................... 32
Economic Factors ................................................................................................................................ 32
Educational Factors ............................................................................................................................. 32
Tuition and Student Aid ...................................................................................................................... 32
The Factors of Students and Parents .................................................................................................. 33
Fiscal Management Factors ................................................................................................................ 33
Internal College Factors ...................................................................................................................... 33
Management and Administration....................................................................................................... 34
For Further Reading: ............................................................................................................................... 34
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The Startup from New York – All Business
The “Cambridge School of Business” of New York City opened its Boston branch on March 10,
1950. Its first director, Kenneth B. Murray was an alumnus of Wentworth Institute and Boston
University. He was a “former department store and radio executive.” The New York school
claimed to have been in business since 1935, although advertisements in the New York Times
were found only as early as 19461.
The Boston school was initially established in the Kimball Building, an office building at 18
Tremont St.2. The school opened with general secretarial courses offered in the daytime only3.
“Future plans” included offering both business and radio courses, as they did in New York. The
school was established formally as the “Cambridge School,” the same name as in New York.
The school took great liberties with the use of this name, variously calling themselves the
“Cambridge School of…” …Business, Radio, Radio and TV, Broadcasting in various
advertisements. It’s no wonder alumni didn’t know how to refer to the school.
Figure 1
One year after the school opened, it was announced on March 11, 1951 that Milton L. Grahm, a
resident of Newton Center was to be the school’s second director. Grahm graduated from
Harvard College cum laude4, with a background in finance, sales and merchandising.5 Sometime
during the period of 1952 to 1954, Grahm acquired ownership of the school.
In its early years, the school offered accelerated summer courses in shorthand, typing,
bookkeeping, business English, Office practice and “Comptometry” [Operation of a numerical
calculator]. These courses were typically one to two weeks in length.6 The “Cambridge Way”
consisted of a half day instruction and a half day of actual office experience. In the summer of
1
N.Y. Business School to Open Boston Branch, Daily Boston Globe, Mar. 19, 1950. Pg. C31
Display advertisement, Daily Boston Globe, March 5, 1950
3
.N. Y. Business School to Open Boston Branch, Daily Boston Globe, Mar. 19, 1950. Pg. C31
4
Grahm Added to List of Notable Educators, Boston Globe, Jan 21, 1962
5
Cambridge Schools of Boston, Daily Boston Globe, Mar. 11, 1951, pg. A39
6
Display Ad, Daily Boston Globe, June 24, 1951.
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1951, the school hosted its first “annual outing” to Canobie Lake Park [one hour north of Boston,
in Salem, New Hampshire]. Elsie Amaral, school Chairman announced it would be a “full day
of fun with not a single typewriter in sight.”7
7
Cambridge School of Business, Daily Boston Globe, Jun 24, 1951, pg A6
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Figure 2 New York Newspaper Advertisement for the Cambridge School of Radio and TV Broadcasting or,
Cambridge School of Business, New York City
According to advertising material, the New York school created the Boston branch in 1950.
Not surprisingly, the two school’s content and instructional format were nearly identical.
Business courses for women, and Co-ed Radio/TV courses. Students would receive
instruction for half-day and the other half would be at work. Enrollments began weekly.
Based on advertisements in the New York Times, the school offered Radio and TV courses
from 1947 to 1956. Business courses began in 1946 and ended in 1973. The school claimed
to be started in 1935.
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Broadcast Ambitions
In 1952 the school moved to its second location, the “Walker Building” at 120 Boylston Street.8
The now-advertised “Cambridge School of Radio Broadcasting” advertised its first radio course
starting February 5th. Instruction included “microphone technique, diction, news casting, sports
casting, disc jockeying, commentating, continuity, and commercial writing and control board
operation.”9 The tag line was “Ride the Air Waves to Success”.10 Supervision was by Norm
Prescott, of WORL radio. Instructors included Bob Clayton, a disk jockey at WHDH and Gene
Kilham, a writer-producer for WBZ, WBZ-FM and WBZ-TV.11 By bringing in recognizable
talent to teach, the school began to establish its reputation as a credible broadcasting school.
Figure 3 First Ad for the Cambridge School in Boston
The Radio School’s first five graduates were placed at station WIKE, Newport, Vermont as full
time staff announcers; two were to emcee live talent shows. Every Saturday Cambridge
students took turns as a disc jockey at WCOP [Lowell, Mass.]12 on the Bill Marlow Show13 The
school always ran two separate “schools”, the “Cambridge School of Business” and the
“Cambridge School of Radio Broadcasting”.14
In December of 1952, the school was approved by the Massachusetts Board of Collegiate
Authority and the Veterans Administration for the training of Korean veterans. Training was on
an individual basis.15 With a surge of veterans being trained under the G.I. Bill, instruction was
a very lucrative business.
8
Cambridge Schools, Daily Boston Globe, Feb 3, 1952, pg. C52
Cambridge School, Daily Boston Globe, Apr. 6, 1952, pg. A58
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Display Ad, Boston Daily Globe
11
Boston Daily Globe, Sep. 21, 1952
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Block Ad, Boston Daily Globe, Nov. 23, 1952
13
Cambridge School, Boston Herald, Apr 8, 1956
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Block Ad, Boston Daily Globe, Nov. 23, 1952
15
Cambridge School, Daily Boston Globe, Dec 21, 1952.
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Terry Cowling was appointed the second Director of the School of Radio in August of 1953.
Cowling was had been with WCOP (Lowell, Mass.) for 12 years as the chief announcer and
news director.16 At this time, Milton Grahm was referred to as Director of the Cambridge School
of Radio and TV Broadcasting
In 1953 the school claimed it had placed graduates in over 50 broadcast stations in New
England.17 Jack Nesson was brought on board in 1955 after he responded to a help-wanted
advertisement for an Admissions Director for the school of business, listed under the “Women”
section of want ads. Evidently Grahm was curious as to why a male would answer the
advertisement. He ultimately hired Nesson.18
,19 From this point forward titles became very difficult to decipher. According to both Nesson
and Cronin, titles were readily handed out with little change in responsibility.
Robbery
In 1954, the school moved down the street to the “New England Mutual Building” at 489
Boylston St. The year progressed peacefully until a December morning, two days after
Christmas a “curly-headed boy” with sunglasses confronted a terrified 21-year-old receptionist
making off with $400 in tuition money. Oddly, within a few steps of the girl there were about
100 students attending various radio and television classes. Because they were inside
soundproof studios, she made no attempt to cry out.20
In 1955, Grahm enlisted Dr. Bruno Furst to teach his “Course on Memory and Concentration”.
The course became quite popular and was offered several times through the course of the year.
21
The annual outing in 1955 was to Walden Pond. Also in 1955 Commander H. Wray
Rohrman was appointed Assistant to the President in charge of registration and student
placement.22
16
Cambridge School of Radio, Daily Boston Globe, Aug 23, 1953
Cambridge School, Boston Herald, Jun 26, 1955
18
Jack Nesson, May, 2013
19
Cambridge School of Radio, Daily Boston Globe, Aug 23, 1953
20
‘Curly-Headed Boy’ Robs School Secretary of $400, Daily Boston Globe, Dec 28, 1954
21
Cambridge School of Business, Daily Boston Globe, Feb. 20, 1955.
22
Cambridge School, Daily Boston Globe, Dec 4, 1955
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In March of 1958, Jack Nesson was appointed Director
of the Cambridge School of Business. A graduate of
Boston University, he was previously employed in the
Public Relations Department at Northeastern
University.23 Nesson became one of the longest tenured
employees. His primary role was to “bring warm bodies
into the school”24 The school once again moved further
down the street to the “Kensington Building” at 687
Boylston St. at the corner of Exeter Street. Formerly a
hotel with large suites, the building was refitted with
offices. A bank occupied the ground level, the school
occupied floors two and three, while the upper floors
remained vacant. It was the two concrete lions that were
installed at the Boylston Street entrance that became
Nesson and Grahm’s inspiration for the school mascot.
The school struggled for years trying to financially break
even. The saving grace was that Milton Grahm had deep
pockets. When Nesson came on board he persuaded
Grahm to fund the outfitting of a number of rooms with
desks, chairs, blackboards and other instructional media,
even though the enrollment was nearly zero. The
recruitment methods used would not be tolerated today.
When a prospective student came to tour the school, they
were always told that “The students had just left.”25 It
worked. Grahm and Nesson then took the bold step of
boarding students, unthinkable at the majority of twoyear schools. By 1965 the school was housing
approximately 300 students in the Exeter street
neighborhood.
Acceptance Rate, Yield and Graduation Rate
Acceptance rate, yield and graduation rates are the
measurements by which most colleges are measured. As
a group, junior colleges were at the bottom of these
numbers. As a rule, Junior Colleges accepted nearly
every student who applied. As a group, of the
acceptances, roughly 2/3 matriculated (yield). Of those
who entered in the first year, 50% on the average,
graduated. An examination of Grahm’s enrollment
statistics bear out similar numbers.
23
Cambridge School of Business Names Nesson as Director, Mar. 9, 1958
Interview with Jack Nesson, May, 2013
25
Nesson, May 2013
24
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Moving On Down the Line
Interestingly, the school’s locations
always followed the MBTA “Green
Line” westward, making it
convenient for faculty and staff.
18 Tremont St. - Park Street Station
120 Boylston St. – Park Street Station
489 Boylston St. – Arlington/Copley
687 Boylston St. – Copley Station
632 Beacon St. - Kenmore Station
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Curriculum Advancement
The Community College Question
The broadcast curriculum was offered on Tuesday and
Thursday evenings for 30 weeks. By 1958 the
business school shifted from weekly classes to a
monthly program.
In another titular change, Jack Nesson was named
Vice-President of the Cambridge School in 1961.26
1962 rolled out the largest graduating class in the
history of the school thus far, 167 graduates, of which
57 were from the School of Broadcasting.”27
In 1963 the school took an important step forward in
advancing its academic curricula with the appointment
of Edward L. Kerr Jr as Dean of the School of
Business.28 Kerr graduated with a Bachelor and
Master degrees from Northeastern University, having
been a graduate teaching fellow in 1959. It was under
Kerr’s guidance that the academic strength of the
school was greatly advanced.
His father, Edward L. Kerr Sr.29 had been the Belmont
Town Clerk.
In 1964, the school proudly announced its
accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for
Business Schools in Detroit Michigan. The school
joined Burdett and Fischer Junior colleges as the third
Junior College of Business in the city of Boston, and
the sixth in New England.30 The school continued to
press for academic recognition, and in 1965 it received
26
1958 saw a number of changes in the
proprietary school scene. A bill to establish
eight Junior Colleges by the Commonwealth
was rejected by the legislature, but
momentum continued to build. The debate
continued for two years. Starting in 1960
and continuing until 1973 13 community
colleges were opened in Massachusetts. It
was not until 1970 that community colleges
closest to Boston began to open. While not
an immediate threat, it was a harbinger of
things to come.
The Junior College boom began in earnest
in 1960. The first Massachusetts Junior
College, Endicott, was primarily a teacher’s
school for women, focused on elementary
education. In 1961, the “public Junior
College” movement discussion increased.
Two years later, Junior Colleges were being
pitched as the economical way to get an
education. . All tallied, by 1963 there were
725 junior colleges nationally of which 500
were Community Colleges. By 1965 780
Junior Colleges were in operation, with
enrollment estimated at 1,150,000
students. Inexpensive community colleges
were setting the stage as a force to be
reckoned with.
Nesson Vice President of Cambridge School, Boston Globe, Jul 9, 1961
Biggest Cambridge School Class-167-Is Graduated, Boston Globe, Jun 14, 1962
28
Cambridge School Appoints Kerr Dean, Boston Globe, Sep 1, 1963
29
In 1947, Kerr, 14 Dalton Road, Belmont was arrested on a charge of registering bets on the speed of a horse.
Boston Globe, Aug 8, 1947
30
Business School Gets Rating as Junior College, Boston Globe, Nov. 29, 1964, pg. A31
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provisional membership into the American Association of Junior Colleges.31
In 1966, Kerr centralized his academic influence as Dean of Faculty. He became they key driver
of curriculum development and rigor.32
Expansion
With ever-increasing enrollment, and limited dormitory space, in January, 1965 the school
announced its purchase of the Lumber Mutual Fire Insurance Co. building at 632 Beacon
Street.33 This was the first time that the school had owned real estate.
Figure 4 632 Beacon Street
In a 1-2 punch the Hotel Kenmore was sold to the school in the summer of 1965. The purchase
included the “Annex”, formerly known as the Wadsworth Hotel, renamed as “Wadsworth Hall.”
Wadsworth had been used by the hotel for long-term apartment rentals. This purchase would
consolidate between 250 and 300 students now living on Commonwealth Avenue, Marlboro and
Beacon Streets. The hotel had 370 rooms, with an estimated dormitory capacity of 700 students.
Grahm anticipated that the school enrollment would climb to 700 by September, an increase of
180 students year over year.34 The hotel continued to operate in the lower floors, while Grahm
occupied a number of the upper floors with students. The hotel ceased operation in June of
1967.35
31
News of Schools, Boston Globe, Feb 28, 1965
Kerr Named Faculty Dean, Boston Globe, Jun 26, 1966, pg. A12
33
New Location, Boston Globe, Jan 24, 1965
34
Hotel Kenmore Sale Set To Cambridge School, Boston Globe, May 18, 1965
35
Public Auction, Equipment of restaurant, cocktail lounge and barber shop, Boston Globe, June 4, 1967
32
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Figure 5 1965 Advertisement
In an overly ambitious move in 1966, the school acquired the Hotel Saint George, better known
under its previous name, the Buckminster Hotel. 36 The hotel with 225 rooms brought the total
dorm capacity to approximately 1,350 students. The hotel continued operation until the fall of
1968, the same time WNAC relocated to Government Center. It was then renamed Leavitt Hall,
after the parents of a board member, Arthur Leavitt, a wealthy furniture dealer.
The Buckminster purchase over-extended the financial capability of the school. The purchase
hobbled the school with excess capacity and expense in a sagging urban real estate market. With
Kenmore Square being dominated by the Cambridge School, and BU on a real-estate buying
spree, area residents began to express their dislike of the predominance of colleges in the
formerly residential area. All of the former hotels had many long-term residents. A large
transient population the community representatives posited would have a detrimental effect on
the neighborhood, once known for its mansions, high-brow clientele and establishments.
36
Kenmore Square Area Slowly Becoming a Dormitory Square, Boston Globe, Dec 4, 1966
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Grahm Junior College
Figure 6 Christening 490 Commonwealth Ave.
In 1968, the school petitioned the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education for a “Change of purpose
and change of name.” 37 At the February Board of Education meeting approval was granted. The school
was now licensed to award Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees. The school
also restructured itself as a non-profit institution.38 In 1969, the school became a qualified institution
for receipt of Veteran’s benefit funds and began eligible for federal educational grants.39
37
Notice of Hearing, Record American, Jan 12, 1968
Cambridge School Changing Name, Sunday Herald Traveler, Feb. 25, 1968
39
School Notes, Sunday Herald Traveler, Feb 16, 1969
38
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An Affirmative Action plan had been put into place by 1970. Jack Nesson, then director of admissions
indicated that Grahm has a program designed to support disadvantaged youth. It was also the only 2
year school with a significant percentage (6.4%) of their enrollment being black students.40
Figure 7 1970's Advertisement
Student Rights
In 1970, Grahm’s black students submitted a list of complaints and demands. The students felt
discriminated against especially in the school’s communications department. The students also alleged
discrimination in hiring of black faculty and demanded that more be hired. At the time, there was one
black faculty member. Demands included more financial aid for black students, an end to censoring
speakers appearing at Afro-American events at the school, the purchase of books relevant to the black
experience and the exemption of black students from the school dress code. Milton Grahm conceded
to 11 of 12 demands presented to him by 45 students. The one demand not granted was the dismissal
of Marion Emslie, Dean of Women. Grahm insisted that the school “never had nor ever will have” a
quota system for black students. 41
All of this occurred two years prior to the Title IX mandate of the 1972 Education Reform Act passed by
the U.S. Congress.
40
41
Jack Nesson interview, 2013
Grahm Black Students Win, Boston Globe, Dec. 14, 1968
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The Vietnam War
The late 60’s and early 70’s were a period of social unrest – the Vietnam War protests and “antiestablishment” movements were at their height across the U.S. Student strikes throughout Boston led
to several protests. Both Jack Nesson and Milton Grahm found themselves locked in their offices by
students during city-wide protests. Milton Grahm usually slipped out just ahead of the students.
Nesson was not so lucky, often calling his wife at home to inform her he would miss dinner again.42
Twelve days after the Kent State shootings of May 4, 197043, 510 Grahm students signed a petition
urging the school be closed for the rest of the term. The administration gave the students the option of
attending classes for the remainder of the semester. The school indicated that there would be no
penalty for not attending classes. Students could either take the grades recorded to-date or take the
final exams. 44
Figure 8 Dorm Life, 1976
42
Jack Nesson, May, 2013
Where police shot and killed two black students and wounded nine others at Jackson State College in
Mississippi. The Mississippi students had been protesting the disproportionate number of blacks being sent to
Vietnam
44
Brookline Protest Gets Flag Lowered, Record American, May 16, 1970
43
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Drugs
The police admitted that Kenmore Square had a “drug problem”, but when pressed, would say little
more. It was no secret that the school had a widespread issue throughout the dormitories. In one
newspaper story, a Grahm student spoke out in class to correct his instructor regarding drug use, which
was the inspiration for a drug education program at Grahm. Michele Moran, a psychology professor “…
recognized immediately that he [the student] knew more about the subject than she did and let him
take over the session.” The education program expanded beyond Grahm’s four buildings to other
colleges in the area.45
School of Business (To be added)
TO BE COMPLETED
45
Users tell the Drug Story, Boston Herald, Nov. 17, 1969.
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School of Communications (To be added)
Figure 9 Television Control Room
Barry Awards (to be added)
Communications Day (to be added)
TO BE COMPLETED
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DR. BARRY CRONIN
Spotlight: Barry Cronin, PhD
Creator of the Descriptive Video
Service, WGBH-TV, 1994;
Chairperson of the Dept. of
Instructional Television, National
Technical Institute for the Deaf
Director of East Coast Operations,
National Captioning Institute
Executive Producer, Family Education
Network
Awards
Emmy Award, Development of
Descriptive Video Service
Pioneer's Award, Accessible Media
Industry Coalition
Reynolds Society Achievement
Award, Development of closed
captioning and audio description
The Francis Joseph Campbell Citation
American Library Association for
service to the blind
Vice-President for Production of the
Seagull Corporation
Dean of Academic Affairs at Grahm
Junior College
B. J. Cronin Photography,
http://www.bjcroninphotography.com
46
Barry Cronin was originally from the Midwest, earning a B.S. in
Broadcasting-Journalism at the University of Florida. He continued his
studies and was awarded a M.A. and Ph.D. in Speech (Radio, TV, and
Film) from the University of Missouri. He spent 12 year at Grahm
Junior College as Chairman of the School of Communications and later
as the Dean of Faculty. Cronin was instrumental in the development
of the communications program into a nationally-recognized program.
He is the creator of Descriptive Video Service46 for which he received
http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/resources/the-abcs-of-dvs.html
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an Emmy Award. He resides in Boston, traveling in pursuit of his passion for fine arts photography.
Greek Life
Epsilon Tau Sigma – Social Sorority
Alpha Phi Omega –Fraternity
Kappa Sigma Beta – Social Fraternity
Delta Omega Delta – Social Fraternity
Chi Sigma Beta – Broadcast Society for Honor Students
In December 1964, members of the Kappa Sigma Beta fraternity
and Kappa Sigma Gamma sorority sponsored the annual
Christmas party at Emmanuel house in the South End.47
School Activities
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Glee Club
Black Student Union
House Council
Outing Club
Business Club
Crier school newspaper
WCSB-TV
WINR
International Club
Community Involvement
Mass. Comm. Fashion Show
Drama Club
Student Council
Soul Time Review
Chorus
Yearbook
Foreign Student Union
Library Committee
Cafeteria Committee
Music Club
Early Santa Visit, Boston Herald, December, 1964
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Spotlight: Dick Walsh
Dick began his career as part-time
engineer at WTAO, 740 AM in
Cambridge, then WXHR a classical
station in Woburn. Lou Jordan had
been his original instructor; they
became friends as their professional
careers began to intersect. Stan
Alton, the dean of the School of
Communications preceding Cronin,
hired Walsh. Alton asked Walsh on
numerous occasions to build out the
broadcast studios and become the full
time director of engineering. He
finally accepted, as was given a
budget of $230 to outfit the studios.
Having never done anything like this
before, Walsh asked RCA, Sylvania
and a small video systems company in
Connecticut to provide quotations.
This became Walsh’s education on
studio design. He received a similar
education regarding studio lighting.
It was Dick who convinced Barry
Cronin that the school should have an
electronics program, and went to the
board for funding.
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Sports
Sports programs were first requested by the students.
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Football
Cheerleading Squad
Bowling
Baseball
Basketball
Hockey
Ski Club
Sailing Club
Figure 10 Basketball
Events (To Be Added)
In May 1965, the school held its Senior Prom, WCSB-TV signed on the air and the Alumni
Association held an open house in September.
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Alumni (To Be Added)
Figure 11 Andy Kaufman, Student Television show
TO BE COMPLETED
Five Year Master Plan
In 1969, the school announced a 5-year, $6 million expansion and development program. The first stage
funding of $500,000 added one color and one black and white television studios, radio studios, control
rooms and improvements. The library was expanded and 14 new classrooms were added. The next
phase would include a Student Union, a separate library building and more parking. Later on a physical
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education facility, more classrooms, faculty offices and an endowment would be funded. 48 Of this plan,
only the broadcast equipment, library improvements and classroom expansion was completed.
Presumably, the classroom expansion utilized the studios recently emptied by WNAC.
Figure 12 1969 Expansion Announcement Concept Drawing
On Top of the World – NEASC Accreditation
In 1971, the school or shall we say Milton Grahm desired to shake itself free from its proprietary school
status. It embarked on a mission to become a notable and credible educational institution. Milton
Grahm was asked by the board to step down and put an individual with an academic background in
charge.49 It hired Dr. Arthur Miller, the headmaster of the Cheshire Academy in Connecticut to lead the
school. Jack Nesson had left a year earlier to head Andover Junior College, after a difference of opinion
with the board.
48
49
Grahm College Launches $6 Million Development, Sunday Herald Traveler, Apr 20, 1969
Jack Nesson, May, 2013
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Dr. Barry Cronin was brought on board as the Department of Communications Chairman. Cronin was
the first PhD at the school. At some point later, Grahm was reorganized into three schools –
Communications, Liberal Arts and Business. Cronin became Dean of the School of Communications. He
was later promoted to Dean of Academic Affairs, replacing Edward Kerr, who departed to lead Bunker
Hill Community College. The Dean of Academic Affairs was responsible for all schools (School of
Communications, School of Business Administration, and School of Liberal Arts plus the Library, Financial
Aid and Academic Advising.
In 1972, Grahm received a one-time grant of $197,000 in federal aid, along with 19 other colleges in
Massachusetts. Grahm’s enrollment peaked at 1,247 students during that year.50 The school was given
additional television equipment formerly used by WCVB Channel 5, “valued at $85,000 when new.”
While the school had received various accreditations, the gold-standard accreditation from the New
England Association of Schools and Colleges came in 1974. Having a PhD, Cronin became the lead for
the accreditation process. The accreditation process required a year-long evaluation of the school’s
academic programs and facilities.51 Accreditation was extremely valuable in terms of recruiting and
retaining students; transfer students have a much improved chance of having course credits transfer. It
is also a brand of prestige, indicating the rigor of the school. Life couldn’t be much better.
Commencement Speakers (to be added)
To Be Added Later
The Tipping Point, 1975
Shortly after the spring, 1975 graduation, for reasons that remain unclear, President Arthur Miller
resigned, taking the president’s position at LaSalle Junior College. Milton Grahm returned as the acting
president. Harry LeCours (previously vice president of finance and administration) was subsequently
named president in 1976. There is speculation that Miller foresaw the problems ahead and did not want
to be in the middle of them.
The school was beginning to feel the effects of several external factors, including a recession, escalating
expenses, end of the military draft, declining birth rate and a reduction in government financial aid
programs. Enrollment had begun to falter as early as 1970. Grahm had an excess of dorm rooms as and
Wadsworth Hall had been shuttered since at least 1972.
Alarm bells had been ringing predicting a crisis in private, not-for profit colleges and universities as early
as 1969. The warning was that structural and strategic changes would be needed in order to survive in
the years ahead. It was warned that 2-year private schools were particularly vulnerable due to
competition. Enrollments began a steady decline beginning in 1970. Grahm failed to notice these
50
51
Bay State Colleges to receive millions in US Aid, Boston Globe, Jun 18, 1972, pg 56
Education Notes, Boston Globe, Jan 6, 1974, page B4
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issues, having been consumed by its journey to accreditation and a strong reputation in the business
community and failed to take action.
In the September of 1975, the mortgage on Kenmore Hall was restructured in order to allow the school
to pay for necessary repairs to fire, safety, equipment and related improvements.52 Presumably these
improvements were mandated by city building inspectors. That the school could not adequately fund
$100,000 of repairs when all tuition receipts had been gathered for the year signaled the first red flag.
Apparently this was not the first time building equity was used to fund operations.
Spring 1977
In 1977, enrollment had declined to 524 full time and 276 part time students from a peak of 1,250 seven
years prior. Figure 13 charts enrollment. For a school which operated hand-to mouth, the drop of
tuition receipts put the school in an immediate perilous condition. Grahm had no endowment or other
sources to cushion it against sudden economic changes.
This sudden and serious financial condition of the school was first revealed in February of 197753. This
came as a shock to the students, faculty and staff.
Figure 13 Enrollment, part-time and full-time combined. Available data as reported by the press and from official Grahm
information
The school had been seeking a “seasonal loan” of $300-400K which was quickly declined by banks.
Grahm had more liabilities than debt, and the properties were already highly leveraged. In February,
the school “temporarily laid off” 20 staff and 36 full time faculty.54
In March, dismissal notices were sent to all 36 full-time faculties. Under the provocation and
encouragement of Communications instructor Micki Dickoff, the students were inspired to activism. The
students marched on the Massachusetts State House. Dean Cronin resigned and was replaced by
William Gaines. Cronin went on to WGBH leading the National Caption Center east coast operations in
52
Agreement of September 2, 1975, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk Country Land Court Records
Grahm in Fiscal Trouble, Boston Globe, Feb 26, 1977
54
Boston Globe, Feb 26, 1977
53
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Washington, D. C. He is also credited with the creation and development of the Descriptive Video
Service55 found on many TV shows nationwide.
55
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_Video_Service
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1977 Reorganization
March
With more debt than assets56, Grahm filed for bankruptcy reorganization on March 26th, 1977. Classes
were postponed for two weeks as the bankruptcy proceedings worked their course. Vendors began to
withhold services and supplies. Telephones were removed from the dormitories.
President LeCours blamed the insolvency on outstanding tuition receivables (in his words, “Several
hundred thousand dollars”57), the banks unwillingness to extend credit and the high cost of fuel and the
lack of state aid.4 Within two months LeCours would be shown to the door. Other key administrators
had also departed. It was later admitted that the school’s administration took its eyes off the finances,
in particular the high overhead associated with four major buildings.
Exploratory talks with Wilmington College (nee Wilmington University) in Delaware were held in March.
President Singer reported 58that the school [Wilmington] might be interested in some aspects of the
school, but not an entire absorption of the school. Discussions were held with the New England School
of Photography and other nearby institutions regarding the lease of dormitory space. Only a handful of
rooms were eventually rented to students.
April
The bankruptcy court permitted the school to operate until April 25th, temporarily freezing debt
payments. Thus, classes resumed on April 1st. An abbreviated spring semester was being reviewed by
the Massachusetts’s Chancellor of Higher Education to ensure the students would receive a full
academic year of instruction. 59 At the 1977 commencement, it was announced that Dr. S. Leonard
Singer had been installed as the new school president. It is said that the graduation of 124 students
was held at the Old North Church due to lack of funds.
June
In June of 1977 Boston University and the Red Sox submitted a “$20 to $50 million” plan to redevelop
Kenmore Square, supported by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. The proposal include
construction of a “huge apartment house” partly over the Mass Turnpike, the conversion of the three
Grahm Junior College buildings “if they become available” into housing and retail spaces. 60
August
In August 1977, the creditors OK’d the reorganization. There were 223 claims totaling $1.88M. The plan
called for paying creditors ten cents on every dollar. Another part of the reorganization plan was to
56
The school had $3M in assets and $3.326M in liabilities. Bankruptcy Court records
Grahm College fights for life, Boston Herald American, Mar 8, 1977
58
Grahm College parley delayed, Boston Herald American, March 29, 1977
59
Grahm permitted to remain open until April 25, Boston Herald American, Apr 1, 1977
60
Red Sox, BU Plan $50M Kenmore Sq. facelift, Boston Herald American, Jun 22, 1977
57
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terminate the business and liberal arts schools and focus on the communications program. 61 At that
point, 378 students had registered for the upcoming year.
Rubbing salt into the wound, the Mass. Board of Higher Education halted the degree granting privileges
of the school in August pending further investigation. The financial viability, necessary faculty and
programs, and building safety standards were cited as the reasons for retraction.
In September, as part of the bankruptcy reorganization, Leavitt Hall was repossessed and sold at
auction.
1977-78 Academic Year
October
At the beginning of 1977-78 academic year, the lack of degree granting authority had loomed heavily
over the campus. Singer’s relationship with the board of Higher Education became strained. Singer
publicly accused the board or its staff of obstructing the reopening of the school for “personal,
professional or financial reasons.” 62 To the relief of all, licensure power was regained in October 63
under three stipulations. 1) The board was to re-evaluate the school in the spring of 1978, 2) Grahm
was required to establish a trust to secure tuition refunds if the school fails and all school facts and 3)
figures must be certified when presented to the board of trustees. Gaines indicated that 300 tuition
paying students were enrolled.
November
The board inspected the school in November. The board threatened to remove degree granting
authority as Grahm had not filed state-ordered documents which had not been submitted by the
required deadline.64
The scrutiny by the Board of Higher Education continued into December. The president of Dean Junior
College, Richard Crockford accused the Board of nitpicking the small schools while failing to prevent
“public scandals” like Grahm Junior College. He made these statements at the NEASC regional college
accrediting group. The board defended their actions, noting that the troubles came to light three
months before their scheduled visit. 65
1978
61
62
63
64
65
Boston Globe, May 7, 1977
Grahm’s President Hits Critics, Boston Herald American, Sep 29, 1977
Grahm again faced with degree trouble, Boston Herald American, Nov 19, 1977
School accreditation group called nitpickers, Boston Herald American, Dec 9, 1977
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Breathlessly, the school awarded 124 Associate degrees in May 1978. President Singer called this “The
year of renaissance for our institution.”66
The administration was drawn back to its founding behavior, creating random courses that came and
went based on demand. Survival depended on tuition revenue so every effort was made to bring
“warm bodies into the building.” Many of the courses created in the last year were inconsistent with
the schools mission, and even conflicted with the bankruptcy reorganization plan.
1978-79 Academic Year
October
Cash flows reached a calamitous level in late summer when many parents and students refused to belly
up the traditional full year’s tuition, concerned about the ability of the school to deliver a full year’s
education.
WNAC Newsman Paul Reece replaced Singer as the interim President in October, 1978. Reece departed
in January 1979 and Robert Vail came in the revolving door of the Presidency. Vail, was a former
member of the Vermont Board of Education.
March
In March, the Massachusetts Department of Education announced that it would permanently revoke
degree-granting privileges effective July 1, 1979 due to fiscal insecurity.67 This would seal the college’s
fate.
The students marched on the State House to keep the school open, to no avail. Grahm announced it
would stop “paying full salaries.”68 Two weeks later, Grahm’s bank creditors repossessed a majority of
the broadcast equipment. Some equipment was removed while students were working on projects. A
few pieces were negotiated to remain so that students could complete their projects.
One day later, 100 students occupied President Vail’s office. Deby Craig, VP of student government
brought to the Vail a list of student demands. When they returned from the Board of Trustees meeting
Craig stated, “There’s absolutely no money”. “We’ll be lucky if we get food today, and the heat runs out
today and there is no money to buy heat.”69
The instructors, led by Micki Dickoff committed themselves to seeing the students graduate. They
conducted classes and guided projects unpaid until the end of the term.
April - Graduation
On April 17, 1979, Grahm graduated its last class of 120 students. Grahm indicated that students would
be given financial credit for lost time; however that notice was rescinded by the bankruptcy court judge.
66
Grahm Junior College awards 124 degrees, Boston Globe, May 7, 1978
Boston Globe, Mar. 20, 1979
68
Grahm Junior College says it will stop paying , Boston Globe
69
Graduation plans unclear at Grahm, Boston Globe, Apr 12, 1979
67
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On June 19th, the court appointed a bank trustee, formally ending the existence of the college. By the
fall, BU had purchased Kenmore Hall, Wadsworth Hall and 632 Beacon Street.
On January 10, 1980, the last vestige of the school was removed; the city of Boston removed the
“Grahm Street” sign and returned it to its namesake, Kenmore Street.
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Figure 14 School's Out, November, 1979
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Retrospective
In 1972, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education estimated that two thirds of U.S. Colleges were
either having financial difficulties are headed for financial troubles.70 Massachusetts Secretary of
Education Joseph Cronin warned in 1974 that “five or ten private colleges and universities could be lost
in the next few years. Already some of the private colleges are in trouble because the state has been
adding so many public colleges that it has left many empty slots in private schools. “Joseph Cronin
suggested that instead of building out state schools, the state should consider using some of the space
available in two and four year schools. He argued that while low tuition is an important factor, it’s not
the only reason. The major shift he said is that fewer people are convinced they need to go to college.
71
The Sloan Foundation issued a 1974 report “Paying for College” emphasizing the need for more U.S. aid.
Tuition hikes will continue to be necessary in light of inflation and energy costs. At nine prominent
schools, tuition rose 50 percent from 1969 to 1974. The report emphasized that family contributions for
tuition are limited, and that students must rely on scholarships or loans. Most schools will have to cut
back on scholarships in future years in order to maintain a balanced budget. 72 The Sloan report also
noted that the U. S. Office of Education had paid $116 million in banks loans on which 120,000 students
had defaulted. The major thrust of the report was the need to ease the burden of repayment.73
However, Jean Mayer President of Tufts University pointed out that the majority of these defaults are in
for-profit institutions.74
In 1974 The New England Board of Higher Education reported that almost five institutions of higher
learning were closing per year because of declines in enrollment and financial resources.75 Also in 1974
Sidney Marland Jr. president of the College Entrance Examination Board projected that the gap between
aid needed by students and what is available for the next academic year will be four times what it is in
the current year. While he urged more Federal, state and private aid, he conceded that students and
their families will have to fill much of the gap.76
The Need for Transformation
In 1971, a report from the National Laboratory for Higher Education, under a grant from the US Office of
Education asserted that “Private Junior Colleges have virtually no chance of survival unless they
transform themselves into centers of educational experimentation.” The report warned of the threat by
community colleges at a far lower cost. It goes on to assert that private junior colleges have been
reduced to a “hand-to-mouth” existence.77 This was the problem Grahm faced. With no endowment,
70
Colleges Casting cash lures for students to fill seats in the fall, Jul 30, 1972
Private College Woes, Boston Herald American, Jan. 7, 1974
72
Students Need More U.S. Loans, Boston Herald American, Feb. 15, 1974
73
Study urges reform of US Student Loan System, Boston Globe, Feb 15, 1974
74
Student Loan fund cutoff will harm poor students, Boston Globe, Mar 26, 1977
75
Colleges in New England Closing or Merging Rapidly, Boston Herald American, Aug 13, 1974
76
$2 Billon gap feared in aid to college students, Boston Globe, Oct 29, 1974
77
Private Junior Colleges warned to change methods or perish, Boston Globe, Nov 7, 1971
71
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the school required the full year tuition payment up front in September. 78 In a ten year period from
1970 to 1980, Massachusetts saw 30 out of 40 two-years schools closed. 32 of those were private
schools.79
Political Factors
The end of the Vietnam War and the termination of the GI Bill in 1974 had a significant impact. There
was no longer any need for draft deferrals. 1975 was the final year that veterans could get into most
schools under the GI Bill. 80 Colleges at all levels experienced negative enrollment growth in 1976.
The “Energy Crisis” seriously depleted the working cash of hand-to-mouth schools. A barrel of crude oil
went from $20/barrel in the 60’s to $44 in 1975 and $55 by 1977. Resultant cost of heating four large
buildings outpaced the rise in tuition.
Economic Factors
During the 1973-1975 economic recessions, unemployment grew to nine percent and the inflation rate
peaked at 12% and did not begin to decline until 1976. Tuition spiraled upward at an unprecedented
rate. The traditional uptick in college enrollment rise due to economic recession did not occurred until
1974.
Educational Factors
The development of the 2-year public Junior College (later called a “Community College”) began in the
1960’s. At a price that was one-tenth that of private/proprietary school, a large number of students
selected the public college. Community college enrollment grew from roughly 500,000 to 4 million by
1975. This had a significant impact on enrollment. In 1960 half of all (two and four-year) college
students attended private schools. By 1980 only one fifth were enrolled in private schools.
The Community College system in Massachusetts began in 1970s, beginning first in the more rural
western locations of the state. Bunker Hill became the closest, opening in 1973. With the Community
College’s “take any warm body” admission criteria and cut–rate tuition, the enrollment pressure at
private schools steadily grew. By the 1970’s, Community College tuition was roughly one-fifth that of
private 2-year colleges.
From a curricula perspective, Liberal Arts and Business programs had become a commodity, where price
became differentiator. Two year schools could not compete in these segments, though some, including
Grahm continued to do so. In retrospect, those schools would need a niche in order to survival.
Tuition and Student Aid
Federal and State local aid to colleges decreased during the 1970s. Aid had become an important
component in funding education. A family found that inflation has made their savings worth far less
than was necessary to send a child to college.
78
Jack Nesson, May ,2013
Colleges In Crisis; Gap Threatens Private Schools, R. S. Kindleberger, Boston Globe, Feb 16, 1982
80
Student boom defies gravity of recession, Boston Globe, Sep 28, 1975
79
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Additional government regulation and oversight became another financial burden. Essential as it was,
Title IX of the 1972 Reform Act created additional action and expense.
While Massachusetts public college tuition remained flat for several years thanks to public subsidies,
private college expenses rose by double digits and subsequently tuitions followed during this highinflation period. In 1974, full semester tuition at Boston State College, a public 4-year school, was
$300/semester, while tuition at private schools, both two and four-year was $1500/semester on the
average.
The Factors of Students and Parents
A family’s struggle to afford an education, as measured by the percentage of earned income81 grew at
an unsustainable rate for many. Inflation had escalated tuition at a faster rate than income could grow,
and savings become devalued. Student aid and student loan programs become essential to an
institutions ability to survive. The Baby Boom wave had passed through by 1980 and many future
students were questioning whether a college education was even necessary.
Fiscal Management Factors
The inability to proactively manage expenses was certainly a key factor in the Grahm’s decline. Even
large schools such as Boston College and Brown University had difficulties, but were able to respond
with tightened management controls.82
Instead of cutting expenses, Grahm chose to tap lines of credit, expecting that enrollment would
continue to grow as it always had. It was believed that expansion, as evidenced by the multi-million
dollar development program would provide the necessary revenue. Overlooked by Grahm was that 2year private college growth dropped from 35% annual growth in 1963 to nearly zero in 1971. While
Grahm had continued to grow during that period, the same number of schools competed for the same
students.
Internal College Factors
For a hand-to-mouth institution, capable financial management is essential. Most two year private
colleges were funded by growth, an unsustainable model, which many did not foresee.
In Boston, two-year proprietary schools began shedding physical assets by the early 1970’s.
Chamberlayne, Emerson, Bryant and Stratton, Newman Prepatory, Massachusetts College of Optometry
and Fisher Jr. College83 all disposed of dozens of valuable real estate holdings in the 1970’s. Observers
were puzzled why Grahm had not also done so, especially with Wadsworth Hall being shuttered by
1972.
Endowments often offer an institution a necessary buffer to ride through turbulent economic
downturns. Lack of an endowment put an institution on perilous grounds. The volatility of the early
1970’s had already caused the school to have tapped out available lines of credit.
81
Families hunt loans as rising prices wipe out tuition savings, Boston Globe, Jul 31 1973
Colleges In Crisis; Gap Threatens Private Schools, R. S. Kindleberger, Boston Globe, Feb 16, 1982
83
Schools selling off Back Bay property, Boston Globe
82
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Management and Administration
Grahm in particular was distracted by day to day operations. The school had been so consumed and
excited by NEASC accreditation that the external factors had been neglected. The Board of Directors
was dysfunctional at best. It was filled with family and friends and broadcast industry members, but
lacked either operational or financial background or contacts. If a strategic plan existed, it was not
evident by how the school operated.
While certainly people like Dr. Arthur Miller saw the writing on the wall, the remainder appeared to be
unaware that a problem existed until the day the paychecks stopped84. Milton Grahm retired in 1976;
just about the same time that Miller departed. In large part Grahm had always managed the school’s
finances. On occasion he quietly paid the tuition of some students who could ill-afford it. One must
wonder if he knew the school was on shaky grounds since only one year later the school filed for
bankruptcy reorganization.
For Further Reading:
http://www.grahmjuniorcollege.com/
Kenmore Square, Gateway to the City, Bill Tarkulich, 2013
http://grahmjuniorcollege.com/the_square/html/index.htm
84
“Faculty Goes Unpaid”, Boston Globe, March 5, 1977
34