Title
Honoring Peirce College for its 150 years of providing an affordable education to working class students.
Body
WHEREAS, Thomas May Peirce founded the Union Business College in 1865 to deliver a new kind of practical, business education in the post-war years, in its first year enrolling 550 students, many ex-Civil War soldiers who needed special teaching to land a career; and
WHEREAS, Ahead of its time in 19th Century America, Dr. Peirce also offered career-oriented education to women, with enrollment reaching 300 women by 1888, in a tradition that continues today, with Peirce College being a leading provider of part-time business education for Pennsylvania women; and
WHEREAS, Growth and recognition came hand in hand as the renamed Peirce College of Business moved to larger facilities, drawing commencement speakers like John Wanamaker, Andrew Carnegie and several ex-presidents, including Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft; and
WHEREAS, Peirce moved to its current location – a state of the art facility with a library, restaurant, gymnasium, showers, bowling alley, elevators and filtered drinking water delivered to fountains every day – in 1915, the same year a Building and Loan Association was formed to help students invest their earnings and support their income; and
WHEREAS, During World War I, special "War Courses" were taught free of charge to Armed Forces members designed to meet the demand for clerical workers, and during World War II, Peirce again prepared both civilian and government workers for their roles in the operations of the modern military; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the 1950s, Peirce offered specialized certificate programs to growing occupations, like medical, airline secretaries and receptionists; and
WHEREAS, Through the 1970s and the 1980s, Peirce's position as a leader in business education was fueled by interest in practical business and technology programs, such as its newly launched computer-related courses; and
WHEREAS, The 1990s saw a need for corporations and government agencies to guarantee a quality workforce, the Corporate College was opened and the Business Administration Degree was delivered to students entirely at their respective places of employment; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Peirce began offering Bachelor of Science degrees for programs in Business, Healthcare, Information Technology, Court Reporting, and Paralegal Studies, the only bachelor's degree program in Paralegal Studies in Philadelphia to be approved by the American Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, At the turn of the 21st century, Peirce became one of the first schools to offer online degrees with Peirce Online, enabling students to access quality Peirce courses through the Internet; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Peirce College launched its first master’s degree program, marking the latest milestone in the rich history of one of America’s oldest colleges; and
WHEREAS, Today, Peirce College continues the tradition of excellence and their mission of helping working adults advance their careers through flexible courses offered on campus or online; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does honor Peirce College for its 150 years of providing an affordable education to working class students.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Peirce College evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End