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Bridgewater State University

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Bridgewater State University
NameBridgewater State University
Established1840
TypePublic
PresidentFrederick W. Clark Jr.
CityBridgewater, Massachusetts
StateMassachusetts
CountryUnited States
CampusSuburban, 278 acres
Students10,651 (Fall 2022)
ColorsCrimson, white
NicknameBears
AffiliationsNCAA Division III – MASCAC
Websitewww.bridgew.edu

Bridgewater State University is a public university located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Founded in 1840 by Horace Mann as the Bridgewater Normal School, it is the oldest permanently located institution of public higher education in Massachusetts. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its several colleges and is a prominent member of the Massachusetts state university system.

History

The institution was established in 1840 through the efforts of education reformer Horace Mann and local legislator John H. Marshall as the Bridgewater Normal School, dedicated to training teachers for the Commonwealth's public schools. It was the first of its kind in America to have a building constructed specifically for teacher preparation. In 1932, the school relocated to its present campus, and in 1960 it was renamed Bridgewater State College following its expansion into a four-year liberal arts college. Reflecting its growth into a comprehensive university with multiple graduate programs, it was renamed Bridgewater State University in 2010 by an act of the Massachusetts General Court.

Academics

The university is organized into the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Education and Health Sciences, and the School of Social Work. It grants bachelor's degrees in over 100 academic concentrations and master's degrees in more than 40 fields, including notable programs in criminal justice, astrophysics, and special education. Bridgewater State University is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Campus

The 278-acre suburban campus is situated in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, approximately 30 miles south of Boston. Key facilities include the Maxwell Library, the Rondileau Campus Center, and the Dana Mohler-Faria Science and Mathematics Center. The campus also features the university observatory, the John Joseph Moakley Center for technological learning, and the Boyden Hall which houses administrative offices. Recent developments include the state-of-the-art Pedro and Lora Hartel Hall for the health sciences.

Student life

Student life is supported by over 150 recognized student organizations, including academic clubs, cultural associations like the Caribbean Student Association, and performance groups such as the BSU Dance Company. The university hosts major events like the MLK Day of Service and the annual Arts for Youth Festival. Student media includes the newspaper The Comment and the radio station WBIM. Residential life is centered around several housing complexes, including Great Hill Student Apartments and Shea and Durgin Halls.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Bears, compete in the NCAA Division III as a member of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The university fields 23 varsity teams; notable facilities include Swenson Field for football and Alumni Park for baseball and softball. The Bears have won multiple MASCAC championships, particularly in sports like football and women's soccer. The Adrian Tinsley Center serves as the primary venue for basketball, volleyball, and indoor track.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts and 1988 Democratic nominee for President of the United States; Angus McQuilken, co-founder of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center; Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, former Mayor of Baltimore; and Bill Weld, former Governor of Massachusetts. Other distinguished graduates are Michele Courton Brown, United States Ambassador to OSCE; and John F. Tierney, former U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 6th congressional district.

Category:Universities and colleges in Massachusetts Category:Bridgewater, Massachusetts Category:1840 establishments in Massachusetts