The Contributions of Education

To the College, Town, Region, Commonwealth and Beyond

1693

King William III and Queen Mary II establish the College. Learn more

King William III and Queen Mary II granted a charter to establish the College of William and Mary in Virginia. The Grammar School is opened with Mungo Inglis as Master a year later. Classes are held in a school house until the Main Building (the Wren) is habitable in 1699. The building then burns in 1705. hide
1789

The Brafferton is constructed to house the Indian school (1706), while the grammar school and the early collegiate classes (1717) are held in the rebuilt (1721) Main Building.
1888

After a seven year interruption the College is reopened and Hugh Stockdell Bird is hired as the first Professor of methods and Pedagogics. Learn more

The College reopens following a seven year interruption after the Board of Visitors and President Benjamin S. Ewell secure resources from the General Assembly to open a Normal School in conjunction with the collegiate program.

Hugh Stockdell Bird, a graduate of Peabody Normal College, is hired immediately as the first Professor of methods and Pedagogics. Prof. Bird establishes the first practice teaching experience for the normal students, engaging them to tutor under-prepared students admitted to the College.
Chap. 431. - An ACT to establish a normal school at William and Mary college in connection with its collegiate course.
Approved March 5, 1888
Whereas it is represented that the college of William and Mary is desirous of establishing, in connection with the collegiate course, a system of normal instruction and training, so as to prepare white male teachers for the public free schools of the commonwealth, and is unable to do so because of the inadequacy of its resources; therefore, to aid the said college in the purposes aforesaid, but subject to such conditions and restrictions as are hereinafter mentioned. 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That there shall be appropriated annually out of the treasury, from any money not otherwise appropriated, the sum of ten thousand dollars to the college of William and Mary...
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1894

The Matthew Whaley Model and Practice (Primary) School opens as a cooperative relationship between the Normal School and the City of Williamsburg.
1906

The General Assembly approves the transfer of William and Mary to the Commonwealth of Virginia, making it a state college.
1908

"The State Normal College" offers one-year short courses to non-matriculates in School Laws and Systems, School Management, Organization and Supervision, Principles and Methods of Instruction, Psychology, Observation and Practice Teaching, etc.
1918

Nineteen young women form the first co-ed student cohort admitted to William & Mary. Learn more

An Act to Provide for the Admission of Women to the College of William and Mary in Virginia is signed into law allowing women to attend both the collegiate and normal courses. Nineteen young women form the first co-ed student cohort.

Lucy Lee Davis is hired first as the Associate and then Principal of the Matthew Whaley Model and Practice School (1894-1902) and the instructional staff is comprised of advanced education students. Henry Eastman Bennett (1907-1917) alters the school into the Observation and Training School in 1909 to reflect the activities of the college students. J. Rawls Byrd becomes principal of The William and Mary Training School in 1928 and hires professional teacher training supervisors. By 1970, the student teaching program no longer maintains an exclusive relationship to Matthew Whaley School.hide
1919

William and Mary begins to offer extension courses for Southside students. The extension courses become the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary in 1930. The Division separates from William and Mary in 1962 to become Old Dominion College (later to become Old Dominion University), an independent state institution.
1920-21

W&M becomes the "the State College for the teaching of high-school teachers and educational administrators," expanding their Department of Education staff to four faculty members. Learn more

William and Mary is now "the State College for the teaching of high-school teachers and educational administrators," dropping training in elementary education. In 1920 Kremer J. Hoke is hired to lead education. In preparation for the College's first SACS accreditation in 1921, the W&M System of Teacher Training is expanded to meet the increasing demand for superintendents, supervisors, principals, and teachers. Four faculty members teach an expanded curriculum within the renamed Department of Education. hide
1921

William T. Hodges is hired as Professor of Education. Learn more

William T. Hodges, (AB, College of William & Mary, 1902; MA, Columbia, 1916; EdD, Harvard, 1925) is hired as Professor of Education, 1921-25; 1927-33. He continues to serve the College as Dean of Freshman Men, 1927-28; Alumni Secretary, 1927-29; Dean of Men, 1928-33; Director of Extension, 1921-24, 1928-32; Director of Norfolk Division, 1933-41.hide
1924

The Richmond Division of the College is created; in 1968 this college is renamed Virginia Commonwealth University. Learn more

President Chandler assumes full control of the Richmond School of Social Work. A year later, the School officially becomes the Richmond Division of the College. It separates from William and Mary in 1962 as the Richmond Professional Institute, an independent state institution and in 1968 is renamed Virginia Commonwealth University.hide
1925-27

Five faculty members are now on staff, the programs and degrees offered are expanded.Learn more

The faculty now numbers five. The Master of Arts degree with a minor in Education is initiated. Elementary education program is reinstated (Professional Certificate). Secondary and administrative students earn the Bachelor's Degree and Collegiate Professional Certificate. Board of Visitors elevates the department to the School of Education headed by Dean Kremer Hoke (1927). Faculty offer extension courses in Norfolk and Richmond.hide
1934-38

Under Dean Kremer J. Hoke, the first master's degree was established in education and the College offers extension courses in Norfolk and Richmond. Learn more

Kremer J. Hoke, (BA, Mt. St. Mary's College, 1904; MA & PhD, Columbia, 1914), Principal of Schools in Manchester VA, Second Superintendent Richmond Public Schools, William and Mary Professor of Education 1920-1944; Dean of the College, 1922-1934; Dean of the School of Education, 1934-1938; Dean of Summer School, 1938-1943; Special Education researcher. Under Dr. Hoke, the first master's degree (M.A. with a minor in Education) was established in education and the College offers extension courses in Norfolk and Richmond.hide
1938

President Bryan, recognizing the implied contract with the Commonwealth and the signed contract with the Matthew Whaley School, advises the Board of Visitors to reduce the School of Education to a Department.
1943

The College reorganizes under a system of divisions. The Division of Teacher Education includes the Departments of Education, Home Economics, Library Science and Physical Education.
1946

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is introduced, becoming the first graduate degree offered by the education department.
1959-60

Howard K. Holland as chair of the Department of Education leads the faculty to propose a School of Education that would coordinate the education departments of the three campuses at Williamsburg, Richmond and Norfolk.
1960

As chair of the Department of Education, Dr. Howard K. Holland proposed reestablishing the School of Education to the Board of Visitors. Learn more

Howard K. Holland (AB, MA and PhD, University of Michigan), Assistant Professor of Education, 1948-1950; Associate Professor of Education, 1950-1958; Professor of Education, 1958-1968; Dean of the School of Education, 1961-1966; Leave of Absence: 1966-1967. As chair of the Department of Education, Dr. Holland proposed reestablishing the School of Education to the Board of Visitors in 1960.hide
January 14, 1961

The Board of Visitors authorizes a School of Education for the College of William & Mary to begin operation on September 1, 1961. Learn more

Dr. Holland is named Dean. Three baccalaureate degree concentrations are offered in elementary education, secondary education, and health, physical education, and recreation, and the graduate degrees include the MAEd and the MEd.
The Board of Visitors of the Colleges of William and Mary authorized on January 14, 1961, the establishment of a School of Education for the Colleges of William and Mary, to begin operation on September 1, 1961.

Scope
The School of Education embraces courses in teacher preparation on the undergraduate level at the College in Williamsburg and courses on the graduate level at the College in Williamsburg and certain approved designated courses in Norfolk and Richmond Professional Institute. Future development will involve more extensive work in Norfolk and Richmond on the graduate and undergraduate levels...
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1962-66

Dean Holland begins building the modern School of Education, expanding graduate work and extension courses around the region. Extension course work ends in 1972 amid the establishment of Old Dominion College, Virginia Commonwealth University and the growth of satellite programs by other colleges and universities.
1964

The College accepts a NSF grant for $121,000 for Summer Institute for Science and Mathematics for Secondary School Teachers, the first of numerous grants to support teacher and administrator training, out-reach services and research.
1967-74

The School of Education continues to expand under Dean Richard B. Brooks, adding a Doctor of Education degree, moving into Jones Hall, and creating the Learning Resource Center. The School is accredited by NCATE for the first time in 1973. Learn more

Dean Richard B. Brooks continues realigning the objectives of the School of Education, hiring additional new faculty who are teacher-scholars and expanding the graduate programs to include the Doctor of Education. After being housed around campus -- in Washington Hall and even in the Methodist Church at College Corner -- the School of Education is consolidated in Jones Hall (1971). In 1971, the Learning Resource Center (originally The Curriculum and Materials Center and renamed in 1979) is installed in Jones Hall to assist students in their studies and research. The School is accredited by NCATE for the first time in 1973.hide
1974-83

With encouragement from Dean James M. Yankovich (Dean 1974-83, Acting Dean 1993-95), the faculty using their professional expertise and affording practical experience to graduate students, initiates new outreach services that provide assistance to local and regional population.
1983-93

Dean John M. Nagle (1983-1993) broadens the reach of the faculty and school, encouraging a national perspective and involvement. Dr. Armand J. Galfo becomes the Heritage Professor of Education (1985), inaugurating the achievement of endowed professorships by education faculty members. Two School of Education endowed chairs follow: The Jody and Layton Smith Professor of Psychology and Gifted Education (1987) and the Pavey Chair in Educational Technology (2000).
1992

Dean Nagle establishes the School of Education Development Board, signaling a new era in fund-raising for the School and starting an Annual Fund. An in-house development office follows.
1995

Dean Virginia McLaughlin reorganizes the faculty into three professional associations: Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), School Psychology and Counselor Education (SPACE), and Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership (EPPL). Learn more

Dean Virginia McLaughlin steers a strategic planning effort that streamlines the organization of the faculty into three units of professional association: Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), School Psychology and Counselor Education (SPACE), and Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership (EPPL). The Faculty transforms the promotion and tenure criteria to place additional emphasis on research and publication. In 1995, when US News and World Reports first began to rank schools of education, William and Mary's school placed 43rd.hide
2010

The School of Education moves into its new building at the former site of the Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital. Learn more

The School of Education moves into its new building. In 2005 Sentara Healthcare donates the 22 acre site of the Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital, the largest corporate gift received by the College, and the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia appropriates $48M for planning, design and construction of the new facility. hide
2011

The modern School of Education celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its establishment by the Board of Visitors in 1961.