It has been a tradition for over 100 years in Franklin, Massachusetts.  As summer turns to fall – the site of moving vans, books and classrooms will once again return as Dean College welcomes its students back to campus on Sunday, September 2, 2012.

A private co-educational college with over 1,500 full or part time students and more than 18,500 alumni worldwide, Dean College will kick off its 147^th academic year.  Offering fifteen Associate and five Baccalaureate degree programs, Dean is currently in a strong growth period as they have added an incoming freshman class of over 500 students to complement the two largest classes in the school’s history the past two years.

In addition, Dean is following up on its recent $35M campus-wide improvement project by breaking ground on a new residence hall, set to open in late 2012.  The new facility, consisting of 120 beds will be used to house upperclassmen.  In addition, the College will also unveil The Morton Family Learning Center.  Named for John S. Morton III ’70 and his family, the new learning center will feature assistive technology such as smart pens, iPod/iPad applications, Read & Write Gold, Math Type, Zoom Text , Inspiration, and Dragon Dictate, along with a remodeled and state of the art academic coaching and tutoring space with flat screens and enhanced seating.

“Construction of our new residence hall and the unveiling of The Morton Family Learning Center are important parts of our institutional strategic plan to continually transform and improve Dean College for both current and future students,” says Dean College President, Dr. Paula M. Rooney.  “Over the past several years we have made a substantial investment in academics, technology, campus beautification and infrastructure, all with the focused goal of making Dean College a destination of choice for students.  We proudly point to our 2012 top 20 ranking by US News and World Report, our record enrollment the past several years and substantial on-campus improvements as proof of our success in bringing this plan to fruition and we are excited to continue shaping a bright future for the College.”

With a full slate of athletic, performance and community events over the next nine months, there will be plenty of opportunities for local residents to visit campus and see the transformation for themselves.  For more information, visit www.dean.edu.