Milwaukee-Downer College - A Lasting Tradition

Milwaukee-Downer College was a pioneering institution for women's education, continuing Milwaukee Female College's close association with pioneering educator Catharine Beecher. In 1889, Wisconsin Female College changed its name to Downer College, in honor of Judge Jason Downer, associate justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, its trustee and benefactor. Two strong presidents led Milwaukee-Downer through most of its history, Ellen Clara Sabin, from 1895 to 1921 and Lucia Russell Briggs, from 1921 to 1951.

In 1964, Downer's 43-acre eastside Milwaukee campus was sold to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and 49 female students and 21 faculty members transferred to Lawrence. Forty-four of the original 49 Milwaukee-Downer students eventually earned bachelor's degrees from Lawrence, and 11 of the faculty members remained at Lawrence until retirement. Today Lawrence counts more than 1,600 living Milwaukee-Downer graduates among its alumnae.

Lawrence University is proud to present this documentary, which shines a light on the history and the people a unique and prominent institution.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Lawrence
• University
• Milwaukee
• Downer
• College
• Documentary

[BaraVita]

So appreciated this walk down memory lane. I'm grateful to have had the top quality education Milwaukee-Downer College provided. The campus was rich in history and so lovely and well maintained. In my dreams, I sometimes go back to Downer and recall the peaceful, warm and wonderful environment.

Hats off to the creators of this outstanding historial production.

Diana DeVita

MDC 1963 - Green Class

[anunsons]

@jazz61021 this is true. Eventually it was changed so that the diplomas said Lawrence University and Milwaukee Downer for both men and women due to students displeasure with the former.

[jazz61021]

Thank you for the history lesson. I graduated from Lawrence in the mid-1970's, and I can't remember any formal discussion about Milwaukee-Downer, except for naming of the buildings, and seeing some of the interior architecural elements that had been saved and displayed in Jason Downer Dining Hall. Is it true or not in the 1970's and later that the men of Lawrence recieved diplomas stating Lawrence, but the women's stated Milwaukee Downer? Just another triva fact to confirm or dispel.