Lesley University Archives

"Periissem ni perstitissem"

Lesley's original coat of arms bears the motto, "Periissem ni perstitissem" meaning "I would have perished had I not persisted." 

 

The elf is Lesley University's original mascot.

During one of her trips to Germany in 1930, Edith Lesley Wolfard brought back a statue of an elf who would reward good deeds and punish bad ones. The original elf was unfortunately knocked down the stairs in a burst of enthusiasm from the students.

Loyal Lesley Daughters

In 1953, Lesley President Trentwell Mason White wrote the school song entitled, "Loyal Lesley Daughters."

1900
Edith’s family moved to 29 Everette St. in Cambridge, MA.

1909
Edith Lesley founded the Lesley Normal School, a two-year school to train kindergarten teachers. The term “normal” originates from the French École Normale Supérieure, a school established to train teachers.

1911
The first class of 11 graduated at the First Parish Church in Harvard Square.

1912
The School of Practical Art was founded by Roy Davidson.

1922
Adjoining properties were acquired for three dormitories at the Lesley School, and Alumni Hall was built as an assembly hall with classrooms in the basement.

1930
International students from China are admitted to Lesley's Domestic Science Department as “special' students."

1939
The Lesley School began a four-year teacher training program.

1941
Harold Pollock became the second director of The School of Practical Art.

1943
The Lesley School became a four-year not-for-profit educational institution, renamed Lesley College, and was authorized to confer the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education.
Marguerite Franklin served as Lesley College's first president.

1944
Trentwell Mason White became Lesley College’s second president, replacing Marguerite Franklin, who served during the transition period.
Alan Furber became president of The School of Practical Art.

1945
Lesley’s first five bachelor’s degrees were conferred in June.
Harold Pollock served as president of The School of Practical Art.

1953
Edith Lesley Wolfard, Lesley’s founder, passed away.

1954
Lesley is authorized to establish a co-educational graduate school.

1955
Lesley’s first five graduate students received their degrees.

1957
Margaret Therestine becomes Lesley’s first African American graduate.

1959
Lesley College celebrated its semi-centennial, and President Trentwell Mason White unexpectedly passed away.

1960
Don Orton was appointed the third president of Lesley College.

1962
The New England Kindergarten Conference (NEKC) was established at Lesley College by Mary Mindess.
William (Bill) Willis Sr. became president of The School of Practical Art.

1963
Charles Tsoukalis, Lesley's first male graduate student, earns a Master of Science degree in Education.

1964
Lesley's graduate programs receive accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

1967
The School of Practical Art was renamed The Art Institute of Boston (AIB).

1968
Lesley students went on strike to demand more rights. The administration responded with changes in curriculum, curfew, scheduling, and living arrangements. 

1970
Lesley students voted to join the nationwide student strike in support of ending American military efforts in Southeast Asia. They also supported demands for the government to end war-related programs on university campuses, cease the systematic oppression of political dissidents, and ensure fair trials for political prisoners. Lesley faculty voted not to close the College but to conduct all academic activities flexibly to accommodate students.

1973
Lesley’s new campus was completed after eight years of planning and construction, creating a quad, a new library, and the Doble dormitory.

1975
Lesley’s Expressive Therapies Graduate Program began—the first of its kind in the United States.

1977
Lesley establishes a collaborative program with Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols.
William Willis Jr. (Tuck) became president of AIB.

1982
Lesley’s Threshold Program, a two-year residential certificate program for young adults with diverse learning needs, was launched.

1985
Margaret McKenna was inaugurated as Lesley College’s fourth president.

1990
Robert Simon became interim administrator of AIB.

1991
Stan Trecker became president of AIB.
Lesley admitted its first Ph.D. students in Education.

1994
Lesley purchased the Porter Exchange building in Porter Square.

1998
The Art Institute of Boston (AIB) became Lesley’s sixth school.

2000
Lesley College became Lesley University, and the women’s college was renamed Lesley College.

2003
Lesley's off-campus graduate programs expanded to 23 states.

2004
Lesley College became coeducational, admitting men to the undergraduate program for the first time.

2007
Joseph Moore was selected as Lesley University’s fifth president.

2008
Lesley University acquired buildings near Harvard Square and partnered with the Episcopal Divinity School, moving library services to Sherrill Library and expanding the Brattle Campus.

2009
On September 17, Lesley University celebrated its centennial convocation at Harvard University’s Sanders Theater, with Marian Wright Edelman as the keynote speaker.

2012
The Art Institute of Boston (AIB) celebrated 100 years of educating artists and designers.

2013
AIB was officially renamed the Lesley University College of Art and Design (LUCAD).

2014
Construction of the Lunder Arts Center was completed, and LUCAD moved from Kenmore Square in Boston to Porter Square in Cambridge.

2016
Jeff A. Weiss became Lesley University’s sixth president.

2017
The Lunder Arts Center won the Paul and Niki Tsongas Award for Most Innovative Design, presented by Preservation Massachusetts.

2018
Richard S. Hansen served as Lesley University’s interim president for one year.
Lesley expanded the Brattle Campus with the acquisition of former Episcopal Divinity School buildings.

2019
Janet L. Steinmayer was inaugurated as Lesley University’s seventh president.

2023
Lesley University began implementing "Better Lesley," its new strategic framework.