Bellevue University

Bellevue University, founded in 1966, is a not-for-profit institution situated in Bellevue, Nebraska, founded in 1966.

History

When Bill Brooks met with his fellow members of the Bellevue, Nebraska, Chamber of Commerce in June 1965, the No. 1 agenda item was discussion of creating a new college in Bellevue. The time and place were perfect, he reasoned, as Bellevue was a growing city, home to Offutt Air Force Base as well as a large contingent of potential college-age students. This became a practical idea because it was not always an option for many of these young adults to travel north to the University of Omaha.

Bellevue College opened its door in 1966 with just three full-time faculty and four staff members. All classes were held in the administration building, which the college bought from International Telephone and Telegraphy. From the beginning, the college sought to accommodate adult students, offering evening classes in three, 12-week sessions throughout the year. During the first year 355 students attended these evening classes; 54 students took daytime classes. That first year, students at Bellevue College paid $17 per credit hour. Dr. Sam Sollenberger was named the first president of Bellevue College. Dr. Sollenberger came to Bellevue College from the University of Omaha, where he was the assistant dean of the College of Adult Education. The school held its first commence ceremony on Jul 29, 1967, on land near Fontenelle Forest that overlooked the Missouri River. A flatbed trailer serves as the stage, and 400 guests looked on as the first 37 degrees were conferred.

In 1968, Bellevue College saw opportunities for growth and the need for a change in leadership. Richard Winchell, a history professor who had recently joined the college as a full-time faculty member stepped up as the school's second president. His first goals for Bellevue College were to increase student enrollment, degrees offered and donations to help grow the school. In 1974 it became the fourth largest private university in the state of Nebraska. Between 1969 and 1974, the college built a gymnasium, a student center, and a library. Students and employees borrowed shopping carts from the supermarket across the street to move some 30,000 books form the old library inside the administration building, into the new facility.

Bellevue University, founded in 1966, is a not-for-profit institution situated in Bellevue, Nebraska, founded in 1966.

History

When Bill Brooks met with his fellow members of the Bellevue, Nebraska, Chamber of Commerce in June 1965, the No. 1 agenda item was discussion of creating a new college in Bellevue. The time and place were perfect, he reasoned, as Bellevue was a growing city, home to Offutt Air Force Base as well as a large contingent of potential college-age students. This became a practical idea because it was not always an option for many of these young adults to travel north to the University of Omaha.