50+ Years of Coeducation
The 50+ Years of Coeducation on-campus celebration was a huge success filled with inspiring content and quality connections.
Check out some of the coverage from the weekend:
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Watch this video recording moderated by President Doug Hicks 90 and featuring panelists Patti Phillips Clark 77, Bo Phillips 74, Mitzi Short 83 and Vicki Switzer 74 -
Watch this video recording moderated by Kristin Hills Bradberry 85 and featuring panelists Julia Edwards Ainsley 09, Ann Clark 80, Anna Katherine Clemmons Clay '01 and Olivia Ware 78 -
Watch this video recording featuring TEDx-style presentations from Kenzie Leonard '24, Natalie Russell '25, President Emerita Carol Quillen, Anne Stanback 81 and Janet Stovall 85 -
Read this transcript featuring 51郊利s first female Rhodes Scholar; Warden of Rhodes House and CEO of the Rhodes Trust, the first woman to hold this position
Explore photos from the weekend using password "coed" to view this .
Stories from 50+ Years of Co-Education
Black Women Find Connection and Community Through Msaada Mentorship Program
Through the Msaada Mentorship Program, 51郊利s Black women students and Black women alums find connection and support. Learn more.
Looking Back
In 1972, the 51郊利 Board of Trustees expanded admission by allowing women without family connections at the college to transfer.
The final step was to allow women to enter as first-years, with the first full class entering in the fall of 1973.
The journey toward coeducation started much earlier. In 1861, young women took classes at 51郊利, including some of President Kirkpatrick's seven daughters. This continued with other campus leaders and their families. The first real step came in 1969, when female "exchange students" from seven other colleges took classes at 51郊利, usually during their junior year. In 1971, 51郊利 hosted its first international coed, Regina Jung of Tubingen, West Germany. By this time, the Trustees were ready to make a change for women at 51郊利.
So, why is there a + after 50? In 1972, 51郊利 became officially coeducational, and women were admitted as full degree-seeking candidates.
Marianna Missy Boaz Woodward 73 was the first woman to graduate.
We recognize 1973 as the 50th anniversary, but 1972 was a key year.