Emerson College

Emerson College
source
Name	Emerson College
Established	1880
Type	Private
President	Jay Bernhardt
City	Boston
State	Massachusetts
Country	United States
Campus	Urban
Affiliations	ProArts Consortium
Website	emerson.edu

Emerson College is a private institution in Boston, Massachusetts, with a global campus in Los Angeles. Founded in 1880, it is widely recognized for its specialized programs in communication, the arts, and media. The college is named after its founding president, Charles Wesley Emerson, and has evolved from a small oratory school into a comprehensive liberal arts institution with a strong international presence.

History

The institution was founded in 1880 in Boston by Charles Wesley Emerson as a "school of oratory," focusing on elocution and persuasive speaking. It was originally located in the Back Bay neighborhood before moving to its current location in the Boston Theatre District in the early 21st century. A significant expansion occurred in the 1990s with the establishment of its permanent campus in Los Angeles, known as Emerson College Los Angeles, to provide students with direct access to the entertainment industry. The college has also developed global study centers, including the Emerson College European Center in the Netherlands.

Academics

The college is organized into several schools, including the School of the Arts, the School of Communication, and the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies. It is renowned for its programs in film production, journalism, marketing communication, performing arts, and creative writing. The institution grants undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, and offers a low-residency Master of Fine Arts program. It is a member of the ProArts Consortium, allowing cross-registration with other Boston-area arts colleges like the Berklee College of Music and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.

Campus

The main urban campus is centered in Boston's Theatre District and Washington Street corridor, anchored by the Cutler Majestic Theatre and the Paramount Center, which houses a restored Art Deco movie palace. Key facilities include the Tufte Performance and Production Center, the Iwasaki Library, and the Max Mutchnick Campus Center. The Emerson College Los Angeles facility is located in the Hollywood neighborhood, featuring residence halls, production spaces, and proximity to major studios like Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures.

Student life

Student life is heavily centered on media production and performance, with over 90 student organizations including the award-winning newspaper *The Berkeley Beacon*, the television station *ETV*, and the radio station *WERS*. The college fields 14 NCAA Division III athletic teams known as the Emerson Lions, competing in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference. Major annual events include the EVVY Awards, a student-produced award show, and the Emerson Stage production season. The campus is also home to several professional performing arts organizations in residence.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence across entertainment, journalism, and comedy. Notable figures in film and television include producer Norman Lear, actor Henry Winkler, and comedian Jay Leno. In journalism, alumni include television host Maria Menounos and *The New York Times* journalist John Koblin. The comedy scene is strongly represented by alumni from the institution's troupe, This Is Pathetic, such as Steven Wright, David Cross, and B. J. Novak. Other distinguished graduates include poet W. S. Merwin and playwright Lydia R. Diamond.

Category:Universities and colleges in Boston Category:1880 establishments in Massachusetts