John F. Kennedy College

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John F. Kennedy College

Established: 1965
Type: Private
Location: Wahoo, Nebraska, USA
Campus: Rural

John F. Kennedy College was founded in 1965 in Wahoo, Nebraska, one of six colleges started by small-town businessmen on the model of Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. The college was named after President John F. Kennedy. Due to a drop in enrollment and financial difficulties following the end of the draft in 1973, Kennedy College closed down in 1975.[1]

Contents

[edit] Parsons Plan

The "Parsons Plan" academic model was the brainchild of Millard Roberts, who was the president of Parsons College from 1955 to 1967; the multi-faceted plan featured innovative teaching and administrative techniques, and emphasized the recruitment of a geographically and academically diverse student body. Among other characteristics, the "Parsons Plan" schools welcomed unconventional students who had not seen success at other colleges. In the 1960s, the schools were also attended by a substantial number of young men seeking draft deferments that would allow them to avoid military service during the Vietnam War.

[edit] Current usage

The first usage of the buildings on the campus after the college closed occurred in 2004 when a private physician bought the former library for use as an office. Since then several buildings have been renovated.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Luebke, F. (2005) Nebraska: An Illustrated History. University of Nebraska Press. p 315.
  2. ^ Pesek, C. (2004) "New life on a once-crumbling campus", Lincoln Journal Star. April 19, 2004. Retrieved 1/22/08.

[edit] External links

Kennedy College Alumni website