Lea College
Encyclopedia
Lea College was a private liberal arts
college
that operated from 1966 to 1973 in Albert Lea, Minnesota
. Lea was one of several Midwestern colleges established by local civic leaders with the support and encouragement of Parsons College
in Fairfield, Iowa
. These Parsons "satellite schools" were by-products of the strong growth and apparent success of Parsons during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and all followed the "Parsons Plan" academic model developed at that school. None of the schools, however, were ultimately successful.
The "Parsons Plan" academic model employed at Lea 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
.
At least initially, Lea's reputation and fortunes were strongly tied to those of Parsons, and when Parsons faltered in the late 1960s the prospects for Lea and the other Parsons satellite schools grew bleak. Although the satellite schools ended their relationships with Parsons, they suffered from a lack of funding, high student turnover, and accreditation issues. Ultimately, none of the "Parsons Plan" colleges became economically viable, and all closed by the mid-1970s. Lea College closed in 1973. While the old Hotel Albert was demolished, other campus buildings survive, including the former Lea College Fieldhouse, which is now the Albert Lea City Arena.
Liberal arts colleges in the United States
Liberal arts colleges in the United States are certain undergraduate institutions of higher education in the United States. The Encyclopædia Britannica Concise offers a definition of the liberal arts as a "college or university curriculum aimed at imparting general knowledge and developing general...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
that operated from 1966 to 1973 in Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea is a city in and the county seat of Freeborn County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 18,016 at the 2010 census....
. Lea was one of several Midwestern colleges established by local civic leaders with the support and encouragement of Parsons College
Parsons College
Parsons College was a private liberal arts college in Fairfield, Iowa. The school, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, was founded in 1875 and closed in 1973....
in Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield is a city and the county seat of Jefferson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,464 in the 2010 census, a decline from 9,509 in the 2000 census. - History :...
. These Parsons "satellite schools" were by-products of the strong growth and apparent success of Parsons during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and all followed the "Parsons Plan" academic model developed at that school. None of the schools, however, were ultimately successful.
History
Planning and fundraising for the new school at Albert Lea, originally intended to be called "Mid-Continent College," began in 1964. An 800 acres (3.2 km²) campus site was obtained on Lake Chapeau west of town, a large new dormitory was constructed, and several older buildings were acquired for college use. The new dormitory was named Christopherson Hall, in honor of Alfred Christopherson, a local banker who was a major college benefactor. Additional dormitory space was provided in the former Hotel Albert building downtown. The Lea College name was adopted in 1965, following a contest. The school opened its doors in 1966.The "Parsons Plan" academic model employed at Lea 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
Selective Service System
The Selective Service System is a means by which the United States government maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription. Most male U.S. citizens and male immigrant non-citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 are required by law to have registered within 30 days of...
deferments that would allow them to avoid military service during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
At least initially, Lea's reputation and fortunes were strongly tied to those of Parsons, and when Parsons faltered in the late 1960s the prospects for Lea and the other Parsons satellite schools grew bleak. Although the satellite schools ended their relationships with Parsons, they suffered from a lack of funding, high student turnover, and accreditation issues. Ultimately, none of the "Parsons Plan" colleges became economically viable, and all closed by the mid-1970s. Lea College closed in 1973. While the old Hotel Albert was demolished, other campus buildings survive, including the former Lea College Fieldhouse, which is now the Albert Lea City Arena.