Historical Sketch of Webber From 1937 Pioneer
HISTORICAL SKETCH / ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF / FACULTY & STAFF / SENIOR CLASS / JUNIOR CLASS / DIARY OF BOSTON / DIARY OF FLORIDA / SPORTS / PICTURES / MESSAGE TO ALUMNAE / CLASS OF 1929-36
Pioneering had not spent itself when the last redskin was posted on his reservation in the West; we see its spirit revived in modern times with the founding of Webber College. Webber brought to the field of education a new experience, that of introducing women into the business world. The college was organized on April 6, 1927, the birthday of Mr. And Mrs. Babson's first granddaughter, Camilla Grace Webber, and was given the name of Webber College in her honor. Mr. Winslow L Weber became the Business Manager of the college, a job which he has ably filled and still holds. Vocational guidance is also carried on in his office. On January 9, 1928, the first term began in Florida, and for three months the girls lived the rugged but stimulating life of pioneers. On cold mornings they attended classes in the building which has since become the library, with no heat but the smoky warmth of an open fireplace that showered soot with every draught. They lived in Caloosa, and their meals were served in a dinning room then open to the public. That first winter Mr. Austin Fitts of Wellesley, who was then president of the College, had charge of all classes. In March, four girls stepped up to receive the first diplomas to be awarded.
In the Fall of 1928 Webber reopened, this time for its term in Boston. The girls lived at the Student Union on Gainsboro Street, and their classes were held in the Hotel Lenox. Miss Edith Samson was appointed Dean, and held the management responsibility as the acting head of the school. Arthur S. Browne and Paul Ellsworth were the Instructors. The end of the Christmas holidays found the girls in Florida again with Mr. Fitts as the instructor. Classes began at nine and continued until one with no break. Life varied little from the year before, but the girls were beginning to realize the benefits of the much-advertised Florida sunshine, and were becoming interested in sports. In ten years the sun has remained ever the same, but the surrounding country has changed from veritable pasture land to large expanses of green lawns, enhanced by trees and flowering shrubs, a soft sandy beach, and an interestingly difficult but well kept golf course.
In September 1929, Webber welcomed several new instructors to her teaching staff in Boston: Miss Mabel Hill, Mrs. Norma Cofren, Dr Wayland Vaughan, Dr. Irving Whittemore, Mr. C.E. Leech, and Mr. James Faircloth. Gainsboro Street and the Lenox were still official headquarters. Shorthand courses were offered for the fist time, under the direction of Mrs. Wahlman of Newton. Then came January exodus to Florida. Mr. Earl L. Smith succeeded Mr. Fitts as instructor in the financial courses. Judge Childs was added to teach Law and Mr. Dwight Hollister came down from Boston to teach Income Tax. a Private college dinning room was opened in Caloosa, and the next year the luxury of stream heat was realized. The term in Florida was not as long as in other years for that year there was third term, and the girls returned to Boston, where they graduated in June. The arrangement continued for the next two years, but then it became evident that neither faculty nor students found Boston as appealing in April as it had been in September. Florida had "softened" them; they missed the long, warm days and the unhampered life of a small community.
During the next years, although the Lenox still provided classrooms, the Charlesgate Hotel became the permanent Boston home of the Students since1930. Dr. George Coleman, already the president of Babson institute in Wellesley, became president of Webber. Also Miss Helen Allen, who has been with the College since 1930, entered Mr. Webber's office as registrar. In the year 1931-1932 typing was included in the program of courses, under Mrs. Mabel Brown. Dr. Frank Armitage joined the faculty in Babson Park. A new classroom building was opened in Florida, and the Library became, as its name implies, a general reading room. In 1932-1933 it was decided that a long winter in Florida was more suited to the purpose of the school, and the third term in Boston was abandoned. School closed in Florida in May. That year the Charlesgate became the school building as well as the dormitory, which it has been ever since. Miss Annie Walker became a member of the faculty at that time.
The only change that took place in 1933-1934 was the addition of Miss Hazel Mckee to the faculty as instructor in Shorthand and Typewriting. She later became head of dormitories along with her teaching. Kingsbury building was enlarged and used as a dormitory.
In 1935 Mr. Fairclaugh gave up his classes to go to New York and Mr. Leech assumed the added responsibility. In Florida Mr. Norman Bunting and Dr. Wallace Cunningham joined the faculty and Miss Marjorie Hill came to teach at Webber in the Fall. In December Miss Samson resigned her position as Dean and Mr. Smith became acting head.
When school was resumed in Boston in September 1936, Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived at the Charlesgate. Mrs. Smith assumed the duties of student supervisor and counselor, which she carried throughout the year.
The newest member to be included in the staff is Dr. J.S. Young who came to us in Florida in 1937. In the summer of 1936 Kingsbury was remodeled, with the first floor being used as students' rooms for the first time.
Since that day in September Ten years ago, when Webber took her first faltering steps into the field of education, she has grown into a respected institution, combining cultural and intellectual advancement with healthful living. Today Webber boasts an enrollment of sixty girls, representing every section of the country. Her faculty has grown from one to twelve members. A registration entered for the year1943 symbolizes the recognition that she has acquired. And Webber is till pioneering, although she has established more firmly her place in the world of education. She is still growing and working toward an even greater future.