~ HISTORY ~
In 1945, tuition, room and board, and fees totaled
$663.50; in 1955, $1,085; in 1965, $2,265; in 1974, $3,900; in 1982, $7,695.
In the beginning...
Nasson College began in 1912 as the Nasson Institute, a two-year program for women. It
became a four-year college in 1935, and first admitted men in 1952.After turning co-ed, Nasson quickly grew into a well-respected, four-year accredited liberal arts college, reaching a student enrollment of over 900 in the late 1960's. Nasson offered majors in such fields as Biology, English, Environmental Science, Government, History, Mathematics, Medical Technology, and many more subjects.
On a 280-acre campus in the village of Springvale, Maine, the campus included a learning resources center housing the library (115,000 volumes and 950 current periodicals), audio-visual services, and more; a science center equipped with a rooftopgreenhouse, radiation laboratory and laboratories for the sciences, a gymnasium, little theatre, dining commons, classroom buildings, health clinic, and student center. Nasson also had a total of 11 living units ranging from small frame houses to large dormitories. There was also the Holdsworth Park, a five-acre area on the banks of the Mousam River, the Chapman Brook Park, with an outdoor skating rink, basketball and volleyball courts, and tennis courts. The Beaver Hill area included the Hilltop House and a ski area, and field sports were played at Shaw Field.
One of the best things about Nasson throughout its history was its size. Students, faculty and administrators could really get to know each other as individuals, and care about one another as individuals.
The New Division
In 1963, President Roger C. Gay proposed the possibility of having one or more colleges under the control of Nasson College. The planning and preparation began, and in the fall of 1966 the New Division, an experimental college, became a reality. The aim was to provide a liberal education involving extensive student participation in social, academia and discipline policy; independent study in provinces of knowledge, not in individual courses. By the end of this decade, many problems caused the end of this experimental program.Additionally, changing demographics and some poor planning led to a declining enrollment, and the school eventually closed in 1983.
News since the closing
In December, 1984, most of the main campus was purchased, and soon "reopened" as "Nasson College." By 1985, there were again students walking the campus in Springvale, Maine. Operating primarily out of the old library, the new school called itself "Nasson College," and in 1989, celebrated the "75th Commencement" ceremonies.But all was not well. The new Nasson never regained full accreditation, so the school could never return to its former status. Thus, the school withered and eventually faded from existence. Numerous law suits followed.
Saving the campus
In the last few years before the school closed in 1983, there was a concerted effort by the administration to improve the looks of the campus. Long-deferred maintenance was completed. It is ironic that the campus looked better on the day the college closed than it did on any day in the previous years.The money spent may not have proved helpful in efforts to save the school, but it had a definite long-term effect. Once the school closed, most of the buildings were left vacant, unused, unheated. A few buildings were utilized in some way—Alumni Hall, the library, Marland Hall for a short time. But most of the buildings remained vacant and deteriorating—Brown Hall, Allen Hall, the Dining Commons, and so on.
By the late 1990's, the campus buildings were resold, the bankruptcy cases were finally resolved, and the buildings were finally ripe for redevelopment. Brown Hall has already been redone, as has the Anderson Learning Center. Others had emerging plans such as the Memorial Student Activity Center (the gym) and Marland Hall.
Another new life
In 1996, the town of Springvale and the "University of Maine System—Sanford Center" rehabilitated the old library and once again doors were opened to students on the old campus.But this was not a regular college, as many of the classes were taught only by television or computer. And there was no residency, no dining commons, no sports or activities. The brochures of the school made no mention of the old college although the old library was pictured on the front of the school's brochure.
Still making headlines
During the period of 1996-97, there were continued financial disputes concerning some of the old college buildings. In November, 1997, the United States Department of Education sold the Science Center, Allen Hall and Marland Hall. This action proved to be quite controversial and made headlines in the Journal-Tribune (covering Springvale/Sanford) and the Portland Press Herald newspapers. The controversy led to the Department of Education Office of Inspector General issuing a report. Senator Susan Collins sent a letter to the Editor of the Sanford News about it.Nasson Alumni have a home
The Nasson College Alumni Association remained active, with the Board of Directors continuing to meet, and holding a Homecoming event on the former campus in Springvale on the first Saturday of October each year. Finally, through the efforts of many alumni, former faculty, the Sanford/Springvale Development Corporation, and residents a large room in the lower level of the Anderson Learning was renovated. The Nasson Heritage Center was dedicated on May 2, 1998. From that day forward, it has become the home of Nasson memorabilia and the gathering place for alumni, faculty, and friends on Alumni Day in May and Homecoming in October, as well as the meeting place for the Board of Directors and the Administrative Committee.Note: For a complete history of the college: Nasson, the Seventy Years, Prosser, Albert L., with an epilogue by Richard D'Abate.
For additional information: The Nasson Heritage Center Archives managed by Eugene Daley, former faculty member.
Contact: Nasson College Alumni Association, PO Box 416, Springvale, ME 04083; telephone: (207) 324-0888, x212; e-mail: nasson@metrocast.net
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