When did Bowdoin go coed? In the fall of 1971, 65 women became first-year students. Of these, 14 were legacies, 26 attended private schools, and nine were women of color. In this article, we will discuss the history of coeducation, its history of women at Bowdoin, and the next steps for women on campus. A few things to know:
Bowdoin’s involvement in the Civil War
The first known example of Bowdoin’s involvement in the Civil war is the story of Joshua Chamberlain’52. The college initiated Chamberlain on April 12, 1848, and he later served as a Brigadier General in the Union Army during the Civil War. He went on to serve as the Governor of Maine and was featured in the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara. The novel was made into a motion picture and Ken Burns featured Chamberlain in a PBS documentary of the war. Chamberlain’s 20th Maine Regiment was credited with a pivotal role in the Union victory at Gettysburg, and he was later selected by Grant to accept Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.
The school’s involvement in the Civil War is particularly remarkable in that 25% of the student body served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and a few attended the college in the Confederacy. Thus, Bowdoin’s wartime participation is the highest among northern colleges. Moreover, many of the college’s graduates contributed personal papers, which serve as valuable historical resources. Among these papers are papers that detail the lives of African Americans during the Civil War.
The college also had a direct connection to the war, as General Joshua Chamberlain was a past president of the college. It was during this period that the Daughters of the Confederacy made a major gift to Bowdoin, asking the school to name an annual award for students in memory of Jefferson Davis. However, President Rose rejected this gift and relegated the award to the school’s archives. The college subsequently discontinued an annual student award in his name two years ago.
In 1858, a former student of Bowdoin College visited Bowdoin College and was able to observe his first meeting with a future president. The student group has since partnered with the United Daughters of the Confederacy to end the Civil War by honoring the heroes of the conflict. In 1973, the United Daughters of the Confederacy established the Jefferson Davis Award, given to a student who excels in the field of constitutional law.
Its involvement in the Arctic explorations
The relationship between Bowdoin and the Arctic spans hundreds of years and is arguably one of the College’s most defining characteristics. In the 1890s, students from Bowdoin traveled to Labrador to participate in arctic explorations. Peary, who became the first person to reach the north pole, spent eight years living with the Inughuit people in northwestern Greenland. Peary later explored the ice-capped region and the Canadian island of Ellesmere. Peary’s explorations created a route that was known as “the American route” to the north pole.
In 1936, Dan MacMillan married Miriam Look, the daughter of his closest friend. He had never brought a woman aboard before, but she persuaded him to take her on one of his voyages. Miriam Look proved to be an excellent scout and accompanied him on nine subsequent voyages. She was so good that she was even given the name of the ship.
While the formal curriculum does not yet include coursework on the Arctic, students can gain firsthand experience of the region by participating in field research and community development. Students are also encouraged to gain hands-on experience in the Arctic by participating in expeditions led by faculty and staff. Their first-hand experiences have given them important insights into the culture and environment of the Arctic. The Grand Falls Expedition Party was a great example of Bowdoin’s involvement in the Arctic. Its four members included Cary, Young, and Smith.
Although the Bowdoin was built to serve a military purpose, it is also a symbol of the college’s commitment to seafaring education. The schooner Bowdoin sailed over two hundred miles on 26 voyages, with the help of the Admiral Donald MacMillan. The ship has inspired the loyalty of many people. You could say that the Bowdoin is the university’s “alumnus ship.”
In 1986, the Bowdoin Schooner was named the official sailing vessel of the state of Maine. In 1989, it was made into a National Historic Landmark. Its role in Arctic explorations is now recognized by the Maine Maritime Academy. In addition to serving as the official sail training vessel of the state, Bowdoin is also a nationally registered landmark. If you’re in the area for the summer, it would be a good idea to visit the schooner to learn about the history and the culture of the region.
Its relationship with Phi Beta Kappa
Bowdoin’s relationship with Phi beta Kappa began with the founding of a chapter of the society in the College of Liberal Arts. PBK selects members with a strong interest in public service and academic excellence who have shown a passion for the arts and humanities. The Society’s president is Greg Woodburn, a former student and Rhodes Scholar Finalist who founded Give Running to encourage youth to achieve academic success through physical activity. Phi Beta Kappa Society President Catherine White Berheide has also played a pivotal role in advancing the society’s ideals on campus and in national committees.
A former Davidson College student and Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Anmar Jerjees overcame cultural apprehensions and went on to become a Gaither Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Another Phi Beta Kappa, Deborah Krieger, is an arts and culture writer, curatorial assistant at Delaware Art Museum, and advising editor for the online publication Whitehot.
The induction ceremony typically lasts less than an hour and is followed by a reception and signing of the chapter roll book. Faculty and Phi Beta Kappa members will congratulate and sign the chapter roll book. In addition to receiving a Phi Beta Kappa certificate, inductees are also given a gold key, which is an official symbol of membership in Phi Beta Kappa. The 10-carat gold key costs $29 and the 24-carat gold electroplate key is $110.
Aside from the college’s relationship with Phi Beta Kapps, Bowdoin’s broader relationship with the organization is also beneficial for students. The membership requirements include an A-grade point average, foreign language proficiency, and breadth of study. As a result, Phi Beta Kappa members are generally very successful and highly regarded by employers. For this reason, it is important to understand the history of Bowdoin’s relationship with Phi Beta Kappa.
Since Phi Beta Kappa is so prestigious, students at the College are encouraged to join. Phi Beta Kappa members can apply for lectureships, service awards, and scholarships in the humanities. In addition, students can earn honorary membership in Phi Beta Kappa by being an accomplished professor or alumna who has advanced liberal arts and sciences. The honorary membership is only open to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Its relationship with Miscellania
The oldest women’s a cappella group at Bowdoin College is Miscellania. Founded shortly after women were admitted to the college, the group quickly became a staple of campus life. Miscellania won a college championship in WGBH’s Sing That Thing! show, and they recently opened for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Today, Miscellania continues to experiment with new musical styles and genres, ranging from folk to jazz. The group performs on campus and in larger venues throughout Maine and the Northeast, as well as in New York and Aruba.
The all-female group formed at Bowdoin in 1890 and lasted for over a decade. Miscellania members include Oliver Otis Howard, who led the Freedmen’s Bureau after the war and later founded Howard University. Another classmate, Massachusetts Governor John Andrew, was instrumental in the formation of the 54th Massachusetts. Other notable alumni include William P. Fessenden, who served as Secretary of the Treasury during the Lincoln Administration, and Hugh McCulloch, who later served as a Cabinet minister. These connections are just two of the many ways Miscellania has impacted Bowdoin over the years.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.