Purdue University. College of Liberal Arts
Organization
Historical Information
The Purdue University College of Liberal Arts first started as specific courses in communication, social sciences, and humanities, which later grew into departments within the School of Science. Then, it became the School of Science, Education, and Humanities (SEH) after these departments grew further.
Later, it was renamed to the School of Humanities, Social Science, and Education (HSSE) when it split from the School of Science in 1963 to become its own "school". Within a decade, it had become the second largest school at Purdue, after Engineering. It was also during the 1960s that graduate and interdisciplinary programs were established, including women's studies and African American studies.
In 1989, the School of Education split from the School of HSSE to become its own entity, and another name change was required. The name chosen was the School of Liberal Arts, submitted by Ralph Webb, a professor of communication. In 2004, the School of Liberal Arts, along with six other schools, were renamed from "Schools" to "Colleges." As of 2024, the College of Liberal Arts had 11 academic departments and 14 interdisciplinary programs.
The Purdue University College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Office of Honors and Scholars was created in 1993 by merging two CLA programs during the college’s move into Beering Hall: The Dean’s Scholars Program and the Liberal Arts Honors Program. The Dean’s Scholar Program, founded in 1976, focused on improving recruitment and retention by allocating scholarships for one Dean’s Scholar per academic department. In 1984, the program was expanded to include approximately 40 scholars and a seminar class. The Liberal Arts Honors Program was created in 1978, and facilitated Honors course offerings for students with strong academic records. Administrative roles and funding for both programs were combined in 1993, bringing the two already-intertwined programs under one office.
Later, it was renamed to the School of Humanities, Social Science, and Education (HSSE) when it split from the School of Science in 1963 to become its own "school". Within a decade, it had become the second largest school at Purdue, after Engineering. It was also during the 1960s that graduate and interdisciplinary programs were established, including women's studies and African American studies.
In 1989, the School of Education split from the School of HSSE to become its own entity, and another name change was required. The name chosen was the School of Liberal Arts, submitted by Ralph Webb, a professor of communication. In 2004, the School of Liberal Arts, along with six other schools, were renamed from "Schools" to "Colleges." As of 2024, the College of Liberal Arts had 11 academic departments and 14 interdisciplinary programs.
The Purdue University College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Office of Honors and Scholars was created in 1993 by merging two CLA programs during the college’s move into Beering Hall: The Dean’s Scholars Program and the Liberal Arts Honors Program. The Dean’s Scholar Program, founded in 1976, focused on improving recruitment and retention by allocating scholarships for one Dean’s Scholar per academic department. In 1984, the program was expanded to include approximately 40 scholars and a seminar class. The Liberal Arts Honors Program was created in 1978, and facilitated Honors course offerings for students with strong academic records. Administrative roles and funding for both programs were combined in 1993, bringing the two already-intertwined programs under one office.
Citation
"History," College of Liberal Arts, accessed April 30, 2024. https://www.cla.purdue.edu/about/history.htmlCitation
Board of Trustees minutes, 2004 Nov. 19 (Stated Meeting), BOTM20041119SM, UA 58, Purdue University Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries, 25. https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/bot/id/31169/rec/5Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Purdue University College of Liberal Arts records
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 90
Scope and Contents
This collection contains administrative documents from the College of Liberal Arts as well as records from individual departments and programs within the college.
Dates:
1925 - 2019