TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments V Board of Trustees, 2014-15 VI Copyright © 2015, All rights reserved. Introductions by President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble and Provost Julian Z. Schuster X Foreword by Chairman Steven O. Swyers XII Published in cooperation with Preface by Centennial Planning Chair Elizabeth Robb XIII Reedy Press www.reedypress.com From Local College to Worldwide University 1 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form The Courage to Act Produces a Singular College 3 or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership 10 writing from the publisher. The Home Campus Evolves 23 Reaching out to Working Adults 34 Permissions may be sought directly from Webster University at the following mailing address or via our website at www.webster.edu/wup: Support for Active Military and Veterans 42 Broadening Perspectives through Global Opportunities 50 Webster University Press c/o Webster University Library 470 East Lockwood Avenue A Distinctive Approach to the Educational Experience 77 Saint Louis, 63119-3194 Cultivating Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship 78 Unconventional Paths to Quality Learning Experiences 90 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015945795 ISBN: 9780982161500 Student-Centered Learning in the Disciplines 102 Growing School Spirit 204 Printed in the United States of America 15 16 17 18 19 5 4 3 2 1 Enriching Learning through Community Partnerships 218 An Enduring Spirit of Caring and Inclusiveness 227 Support for Webster’s Mission 228 A Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive University 238 Social Justice and Community Service 250 Environmental Sustainability Yesterday and Today for the Webster of Tomorrow 262

The Future 269 The Centennial Year: Bridge to the Future 270 A Visionary Plan for the Future 275

Endnotes 286

Photo and Public Art Credits 290 iii FROM LOCAL COLLEGE TO WORLDWIDE UNIVERSITY

The story of Webster University is the story of the human spirit, a spirit constantly dreaming of a better tomorrow, persevering through unending challenges, embracing new frontiers, and believing anything is possible with a combination of faith, intellect, hard work, and a helping hand. From humble beginnings in a single building in America’s

heartland, the Sisters of Loretto guided the young college through its formative years Webster University and laid the foundation for the university we see today. In the second half of the 20th century, administrators, trustees, faculty, staff, and alumni worked together to implement a new model of governance which led to growth not only of physical campuses but of innovative programs with a global reach. Webster today boldly claims the world as its classroom and inclusiveness as its lingua franca. | A Century of Defining Moments A Century

The Courage to Act Produces a Singular College 3

A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership 10

The Home Campus Evolves 23

Reaching Out to Working Adults 34

Support for Active Military and Veterans 42

Broadening Perspectives through Global Opportunities 50

xiv 1 1915 LORETTO COLLEGE OPENS

In the early 1900s, women who wanted a would be one of the first women’s colleges higher education in a Catholic environment west of the Mississippi River. had few choices. Most well-known Catholic

universities were just open to men, and only The college welcomed its first five students, The Courage To Act Produces a Singular College a small number of Catholic women’s colleges all graduates of Loretto Academy, a boarding existed in the United States. school in Kansas City, MO, in the fall of 1915. Classes were held at Loretto in Kansas City In 1915, the Loretto Community, a Catholic during construction of the building now called order of nuns, agreed to open a college in St. Webster Hall. A year later, Loretto College Louis, MO. These dedicated women not only opened on September 13 in its new facility. filled a need for higher education for Catholic The building has served an important role in women of that era, but established a university the college’s operations ever since. Today, that would bring learning to tens of thousands Webster Hall houses classrooms, offices, the of students worldwide over the next 100 years. Winifred Moore Auditorium, and a Welcome Center for prospective students. The site for the college was the land originally occupied by the Loretto Seminary for Girls, One hundred years later, Webster University which had opened there in 1898 and closed still embodies the spirit of the Sisters of after a fire in 1904. The sisters chose the Loretto: to take education where it is needed, abandoned site for Loretto College—the whether it be a city in the Midwest United forerunner of Webster University. The school States or a campus halfway around the world.

2 3 1919 FIRST COMMENCEMENT 1924 RENAMING TO WEBSTER COLLEGE

“Today, you may justly look back with satisfaction over the trying task of organizing When Loretto College opened in 1915, so great an undertaking, of attempting pioneer work in the field that called for heroic it joined an array of elementary schools courage and unflagging enthusiasm.” and high school academies operated by the Sisters of Loretto. Often, the young The Courage To Act Produces a Singular College ~ From Rev. Francis V. Corcoran’s address at Webster’s first commencement college was confused with two Loretto Academies for girls in St. Louis. That issue was resolved in 1924 when its name was In June 1919, the young progressive concept in an era when US women changed to Webster College. The new college reached its first first gained the right to vote in 1920. name was chosen in honor of Webster significant milestone Groves, the city in which the home campus when it graduated In later years, the commencement ceremony is located, and in recognition of Benjamin the inaugural class of included ivy planting and the reading of an ivy Sr. Louise Wise Webster, the previous owner of the land Loretto College. poem written by a student. Today, Webster’s on which the college was built. annual main commencement includes over That first 1,000 graduates from around the world, with Webster cleared another hurdle a year later with commencement over 10,000 in attendance. accreditation from the North Central Association (NCA), featured two graduates: largely through the efforts of Sr. Louise Wise, Webster’s Florence Waddock, dean. who would teach high school English, French Webster’s tradition of academic excellence had been and math, and Sr. Ann established even then, and the college passed NCA’s Francis, a member of the Loretto Community.

The Courage To Act Produces a Singular College a Singular College Act Produces Act Produces The Courage To inspection with high marks. The NCA inspector called the teaching at Webster “superior” and said “he had inspected Loretto College's first commencement, held women’s colleges from Maine to the Gulf and never met June 4, 1919, fulfilled a bold decision by the one better organized and equipped.” Sisters of Loretto in 1915 to build the only Catholic college for women within several NCA unanimously recommended Webster for full hundred miles. The sisters developed a liberal accreditation in the spring of 1925, a distinction Webster education that trained women for careers—a 4 has held for the past ninety years. 5 1924 YEARBOOKS THROUGH THE YEARS 1926 MAY DAY

Starting in 1924, Webster published a traditional The holiday often includes students performing yearbook called the Lauretanum, filled with an intricate dance around a Maypole, and features found in most other yearbooks, then Webster College was no exception. But May and now. Although similar in content to its Day at Webster also included other features. peers, the 1926 Lauretanum distinguished itself The Lauretanum, Webster’s yearbook, first by winning a national yearbook competition. mentions May Day on campus in 1926. The festivities included students electing a queen But Webster’s traditional yearbook changed and her court. radically in 1967, a year that saw Webster become a secular college. Webster’s students The election of a May queen and her court produced the Non-Yearbook, a multimedia became an annual fixture at Webster until effort that included cartoons, quotations, and Today May Day, an important holiday in most 1963, when the celebration moved to a hotel audio recordings of students, faculty, and staff. of the world, goes largely ignored in the and included a spring dance. Citing costs, United States. At one time, however, the disinterest, and a belief that electing a queen The offbeat approach reached its summit in holiday was celebrated at numerous and her court had no purpose, Webster ended 1968 with the Webster College Year Box. As institutions throughout the nation, including the May Day tradition in 1966. the title implied, a box housed the yearbook’s Webster College. contents. They included a board game, a spinning wheel of photos, a jigsaw puzzle, and posters. The Year Box won prizes at the St. Louis Art Directors Annual Awards in 1968, including

The Courage To Act Produces a Singular College Act Produces The Courage To Best of Show and the Strathmore Paper Award for most creative use of paper.

The 1969 edition, replete with photos and quotations, marked the final yearbook— traditional or otherwise—from Webster University. 6 First lay board Front row, l-r: Peg Jostedt, Sr. Rose Maureen Sanders, TRANSFER TO LAY BOARD Sanford J. Zimmerman, Sr. Jacqueline Grennan, 1967 Sr. Francetta Barberis, Lee M. Liberman; second row, l-r: Francis V. Lloyd Jr., Leonard Hornbein, Michael Witunski, Jane Hart, Joseph Kelly; On January 11, 1967, a decision was announced deeply personal. One of Grennan’s conclusions, back row: George D. O’Neill that laid the groundwork for today’s Webster she said, was that “the very nature of higher University. Sr. Jacqueline Grennan, then education is opposed to juridical control by president of Webster College, announced that the church.” That belief meant to her that she Webster would transition from a Catholic college could not keep her religious vow of obedience to a secular one. The college would be turned to the church as Webster’s president. At the over to a lay board of directors by the Sisters of same time as the Sisters of Loretto were asking Loretto, ending their ownership of the school the Vatican’s permission for the transfer of they had operated for just over fifty years. ownership, Grennan was requesting that she be Webster thus became the first Catholic college released from her . Both requests in US history to become secular. were granted, and a new era had begun for Grennan and for Webster. Sanford Jacqueline At the time Webster was one of many Catholic Zimmerman Grennan and colleges struggling to remain afloat. A third The college’s new lay board of directors met a student of Catholic colleges founded between 1900 weekly to address “a wide range of problems, and 1955 failed because of financial shortfalls, including debt, tenure, upgrading student living declining enrollment and secular competition. quarters, and others,” remembered Sanford Financial issues in particular vexed Webster. Zimmerman, chairman of the lay board and a The Sisters of Loretto were unsure they had well-known businessman. Thanks to their efforts the funds or the faculty to continue operating and Grennan’s leadership, the college was Webster. able to weather the storms caused by societal

The Courage To Act Produces a Singular College a Singular College Act Produces Act Produces The Courage To changes and financial pressures. This new group It was also an era when women were of leaders would help Webster set out on an reexamining their roles in the church and in ambitious path on its way to becoming the society at large. For Grennan, the issue was university it is today.

8 1916–2015 PRESIDENTS

1. Mother M. Dolorine Powers President, 1916-1919

2. Mother M. Edith Loughran President, 1919-1925

3. Mother M. Linus Maier

President, 1925-1931 A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership of Inclusive Leadership

4. Dr. George F. Donovan President, 1931-1950

5. Sr. Mariella Collins President, 1950-1958 1 2 3 6 7 8 6. Sr. Francetta Barberis President, 1958-1965

7. Jacqueline Grennan Wexler President, 1965-69

A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership of Inclusive Leadership A Tradition 8. Dr. Leigh Gerdine President, 1970-1990

9. Dr. Daniel H. Perlman President, 1990-1994

10. Dr. Richard S. Meyers President, 1994-2008

11. Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble 4 5 10 President, 2009- 9 10 11 11 1927 FIRST STUDENT GOVERNMENT 1967 SHARED GOVERNANCE

Including student scholarship and loyalty upon which Webster Faculty involvement in the governance of Webster The tremendous growth in the size and voices in the affairs of College was founded.” took on a very active role in the wake of the complexity of Webster University over the Webster University is a university’s transition to a secular institution. past fifty years has been accompanied by the tradition almost as old Student inclusiveness at Webster College didn’t President Jacqueline Grennan formed a increased involvement of both faculty and staff in as the school itself. end there. The powers of the Student Association Consultative Committee which included faculty its governance. Today faculty and staff work with also included electing 10 of the 12 members of to assist with decision-making during the administrators to provide effective leadership A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership While known as Loretto the Student Council, which sponsored all but transition and to help prepare a policy handbook for the university. Those voices come from two College, the school religious student activities. Today, the Student on governmental structure to be used after the lay organizations: the Faculty Senate and the Webster experimented with Government Association advocates on behalf board assumed responsibility. Staff Alliance, whose president and chair serve a form of student of students in university affairs, charters and on the eleven-member Administrative Council government from 1920- funds student organizations, supports student A Faculty Constituent Assembly composed of all with the university’s top-level administrators. The 22. The forerunner organization leadership, and funds large-scale faculty soon followed. Members elected a steering Administrative Council is led by the President. of today’s Student organization events and student trips. committee (later to be known as the Faculty Marta Brown Government Executive Committee) to represent the faculty in Founded in 1996, the Faculty Senate consists of Association began in administrative matters. This organization helped sixteen members who represent faculty opinion to 1927, three years after Loretto College became the faculty have a strong voice during this era of university leadership and who are empowered to Webster College. Students meeting on the night great change. decide issues important to the faculty. Senate of Nov. 8, 1927, adopted a constitution and by- members are elected from the 200-plus members laws for a student association made up of the of the Faculty Assembly, which represents the

A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership of Inclusive Leadership A Tradition entire all-female enrollment of 157 students. On colleges and schools that make up Webster Nov. 28, the Webster College Student Association University. elected Marta Brown as its first president. To represent all staff members to Webster’s The Student Association’s purpose was “to leadership, the Webster Staff Alliance was further students’ welfare by cooperation with the formed in 1990. The Staff Alliance also promotes faculty and to maintain the ideals of morality, professional development opportunities for Webster University’s staff.

Conversations with the Faculty, from left: Bob Strowbridge, 12 13 Barbara Polk, Peter Sargent, Helen O'Brien Sheahan WORLDWIDE DIRECTORS’ 1983 CONFERENCES 1986 THE PROVOST

“Better together through a stronger Webster.” Critical to Webster University’s success through and chief operating officer. the years has been the presence of exceptional top-level administrators. Together with the As chief academic officer, Dr. Schuster is That theme from 2011’s event aptly captures the spirit of presidents, these individuals have provided responsible for providing leadership and Webster University’s Worldwide Directors’ conferences. crucial leadership through both bountiful and strategic direction for the university’s academic The conferences are opportunities for directors from challenging times. mission, academic programs and support A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership Webster’s extended campus network to add their voices units, faculty, and research and grants. As chief to the future direction of the school. The position of provost was first created at operating officer, he is responsible for ensuring Webster in 1986. Dr. Joseph P. Kelly, a vice- that operations, such as finance, facilities, Held nearly every year for the past three decades, president who had been at Webster since information technology, and enrollment the conferences bring the directors together with the the late 1960s, served as the university’s first management, are aligned with the academic university’s leaders at Webster’s home campus in St. Louis. provost until 1991. Former religious studies endeavors to ensure a seamless experience for The directors interact with Webster’s leaders, participate Beth Russell and Nancy Hellerud professor and dean Dr. William J. Duggan students. in workshops on a variety of topics, and return to their followed from 1991-95, including a term campuses with a uniform vision for the future of higher as interim president. The provost position “Webster University has always been an education in general and Webster University in particular. was replaced in 1995 by the executive vice innovator,” Schuster said. “That innovation president and vice president for academic will accelerate in its next century and we will affairs position, which was held by Dr. Neil J. remain on the leading edge of global-based George until 2008, when he became interim experiential education. We are leading the

A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership A Tradition president. Dr. George became the university’s way in sharing our global capacity with others first, and so far only, chancellor in 2009. through quality academic programs and national and global partnerships.” In 2010, President Beth Stroble created the new position of provost, senior vice president, and chief operating officer with the goal of aligning academics and operations in one portfolio. Dr. Julian Z. Schuster was named to this position as the number two executive, 14 assuming the roles of chief academic officer 15 LEADERSHIP BY DEANS OF WEBSTERLEADS AND STUDENT 1992 SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES 1994 AMBASSADORS

The rapid growth of the university during the College of Fine Arts, the College of Arts & At Webster University, students are included last quarter of the 20th century required a new Sciences, the School of Education, and the School in important leadership roles, thanks to organizational model of inclusive leadership. of Communications. WebsterLEADS and Webster University Student Presidents Daniel Perlman and Richard Meyers Ambassadors. and their administrations built that model in The reorganization confirmed a far-sighted the 1990s. They reorganized Webster from leadership decision that would, as was said in WebsterLEADS is the culmination of a twenty- A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership of Inclusive Leadership departments with academic vice presidents to 1994, “provide an organizational structure to year-old undergraduate program to develop individual schools and colleges, each led by its support and encourage continued growth in campus leaders. Originally called the Student own dean. standards, focused promotional efforts in all Leadership Program at its birth in 1994, areas, and related curriculum developments.” WebsterLEADS has grown from a handful First to form was the School of Business and The structure of two colleges and three schools of participants to more than 250 students Management in 1992. The rapid growth of serves Webster well to this day as the colleges at Webster’s global campuses. The program information technology prompted the school and schools continue to evolve, most recently immerses students in five areas: classes, retreats, Student Ambassadors, 2013-14 to change its name to Business & Technology in in the creation of two divisions in the College of professional development workshops, service 1995. Under the leadership of Dr. Neil George, Arts & Sciences: Liberal Arts and Professional learning projects and practical experience. then executive vice president for academic Programs. Students completing the curriculum receive the conversing with guests at university-sponsored affairs, following in rapid succession were the WebsterLEADS Leadership Certificate and the events; providing student perspectives to confidence to lead from wherever they are. government officials, donors and dignitaries who L-R: Peter visit campus; and representing the university

A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership A Tradition Sargent, Eric The Student Ambassadors are a diverse group at external conferences. To be accepted into Rothenbuhler, Brenda Fyfe, of students who are chosen to represent the the program, Student Ambassadors must meet David Wilson, university. Originally organized as the Student rigorous academic standards, demonstrate and Benjamin Alumni Association to connect students with credibility, enthusiasm, initiative and leadership, Akande alumni, the Student Ambassadors serve as the and pass an interview. The result is a cadre of official student representatives for Webster students who showcase the quality and diversity University’s President’s Office and Office of of the student body and who promote pride in Advancement. They can be found greeting and and understanding of Webster University.

16 17 1997 DELEGATES’ AGENDA 2012 WORKING GROUPS

“The Delegates’ Agenda has “We will show true teamwork — where every move that is made relates to stretch become a really important part of goals, where every hand off and pick up is executed with precision and skill and student life as student leaders have intent to achieve great things.” found a way to effectively advocate ~ Provost, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Julian Z. Schuster for change on campus.” A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership of Inclusive Leadership ~ Associate Vice President and Where Webster University wants to go, and math and medicine; diversity and inclusion; Dean of Students Ted Hoef how it will get there, will be decided not by external outreach and engagement; and a few administrators, but by every faculty policies, procedures and shared governance. member, staff member, and student who wants to get involved. More than 300 individuals joined working groups to review current practices, search Students have had a voice in the affairs of reports back to the delegates on how each topic One major opportunity to do that was provided for better ones, and recommend changes. Webster University since its early days. Today will be addressed. by working groups established in 2012. The These recommendations informed a new student involvement takes many forms, including working groups focused on seven areas vital strategic plan as faculty, students, staff and one begun in 1997 and thought to be unique The Delegates’ Agenda has improved many to Webster University’s future: recruitment administrators worked together to map the among colleges and universities: the Delegates’ aspects of student life, including student and enrollment; retention; organizational direction for Webster University. Agenda. housing, on-campus food, parking, facilities, and realignment; science, technology, engineering,

A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership A Tradition academic, sustainability, and diversity issues. Twice annually, delegates from student clubs and organizations and the Student Government Through this process, students and administrators Association convene to collect ideas and work together to improve Webster University. prioritize them. About a dozen delegates Administrators receive vital input from students’ research the top ideas and propose realistic perspectives, and students develop leadership action on them at a meeting with the president, skills and gain invaluable experience in effecting provost, vice presidents, deans, and any positive change. The Delegates’ Agenda is interested students, faculty, and staff. Within a prime example of putting students first at 18 two to four weeks, the university administration Webster University. 19 L-R: Linda Dahlgren, 2012 GLA Jade Venditte, Cohort and Kelly Lyon 2012 GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

“I’m honored to work for an institution that values the voices of its stakeholders – faculty, staff, students, and community. Webster’s commitment to an engaged institutional culture is demonstrated by its investment in the GLA and other collaborative ventures.” ~ Linda Dahlgren, Development Officer, Foundation & Government Grants

Scholars throughout history have debated what applicants annually to participate as fellows. In leadership means and how it is acquired. But it is addition to online work throughout the year, they agreed that leadership must be cultivated in any meet in person for three weeklong sessions—at President Stroble and Provost Schuster organization seeking excellence. the home campus, at an international campus, and at military and metro campuses—to Webster University took that lesson to heart in learn how to incorporate specific elements of 2012 when President Beth Stroble and Provost leadership into their work. Julian Schuster created the Global Leadership Academy. The academy helps faculty and staff “At the core of the academy is empowerment of develop the ability to lead from where they are, the university’s people,” says Laura Wainz, no matter what the level or the job. a 2012 fellow. “We have great people working here, and the academy encourages us to step up

A Tradition of Inclusive Leadership of Inclusive Leadership A Tradition All full-time and part-time faculty and staff are and be a vibrant part of the university.” eligible. The academy selects fifteen to twenty

2013 GLA Cohort

20 Stephanie Schroeder