Kirkland Stories
Student activism in the 1960's produced many innovations and profound changes in the processes of education and culture. Kirkland College was a graphic example of the influence of an era on advanced learning. Today, that sense of activism and Kirkland College can only be seen in the stories of the people who lived them. Story Chip is delighted to collaborate with the women of Kirkland in sharing those stories.
Kirkland Background
Kirkland College, the last coordinate women's college in America, was born in the mid-1960s during a time of great change. As social structures were questioned, moon exploration beginning, and educational frameworks stretched beyond traditional boundaries, Kirkland was created. The college opened her doors in 1968.
Kirkland was founded upon the principles of critical discourse, independent exploration and innovative approaches to learning. Students were encouraged to develop independent judgment and beliefs by designing their own education with the help of advisors. Perhaps most importantly, Kirkland created a supportive environment for women.
The college had a young administration and faculty and created nearly everything from scratch – from her seal, to her purposeful architecture, academic (and open) curriculum, to the creation of divisions (versus departments), self-governance and concentrations (versus majors). She offered in-depth evaluations versus grades and fostered a strong sense of community and engagement. Every corner of the campus vibrated with possibility and synergy. We could examine any topic in depth, thus preparing us for challenging and rigorous lives, careers and graduate studies.
Our counterpart, Hamilton College, embraced tradition, structure - the tried and true. That counterpoint created a generation of graduates willing to embrace diverse thought before it was fashionable, to take risks academically and emotionally, and to face the challenging and the fearsome with a well-executed plan.
It is important and necessary to place this college into context some four decades later. Our impressions may illustrate the value of what was lost when Kirkland was absorbed into Hamilton College in 1978. Additionally, they are intended to help document, and commemorate the vibrant women’s school that impacted the Hamilton College of today. We invite you to meet her enthusiastic and committed faculty, administration and the 1100+ young women and their families who put their faith in the bold educational promise and possibilities of Kirkland College.
Jean McGavin on Kirkland
I went to a wonderful college in upstate New York. It was the sister school to a very prestigious men’s liberal arts college. It only survived 10 years but I always saw the men’s school as the poor little brother rather than the other way around. Kirkland College was a glorious experiment in education built by Hamilton College in 1968. It fostered creativity, deep thought, personal responsibility and a commitment to serious academic and artistic work. Kirkland College’s graduates are vital, active, sharp-as-tacks, curious women and certainly in part because of the story of Kirkland, have held onto their commitment to the issues facing women. Kirkland’s creativity and rebellious nature was always a thorn in the side of Hamilton College. Hamilton College swallowed up Kirkland in 1978.
Our two institutions were starkly different. Kirkland’s angular, cement and primary color buildings were the visual shout that Kirkland was new and different from the stately Georgian buildings of Hamilton. Kirkland’s curriculum was student based. We devised our own concentrations, we had no grades, no exams. Hamilton’s coursework was traditional in contrast and reality. This was a time when women were knocking on glass ceilings that my daughter’s generation cannot imagine. Kirkland women who took biology at Hamilton were told that women did not belong in science or medicine.
Hamilton men called us Kirkies. We were considered flaky artsy hippies. Hamilton men tended toward the pre-law and pre-med, and the consuming of large quantities of alcohol. The fraternity system was a substantial part of Hamiton's social life. Kirkland had no sororities. But, Kirkland’s short vibrant life attracted some men to Hamilton who would have preferred to enroll at Kirkland and perhaps some women who would have preferred to enroll at Hamilton (although I don’t know of any). Hamilton’s conservative students and Kirkland’s liberal ones challenged and balanced each other forcing us to find ways to listen to each other and coexist. The administrations were, unfortunately, not so successful. The Hamilton administration, behaving as the Republicans currently in the Senate, chose to shut Kirkland down rather than to find a way to work with Kirkland.
The demise of Kirkland was heartbreaking to everyone Kirkland, including alumni and staff. This was a beautiful and idealistic college populated with dedicated and deeply caring, creative and energetic people. Hamilton was shocked at what they created and was unable to see its beauty. It was a terrible thing for Hamilton to feel compelled to destroy its rebellious child.
Comment on this Story