Women and Academic Life

 

The Academic Life section of this site addresses Davidson College's transition from an institution educating young men to an institution granting degress regardless of gender. section begins by highlighting the women students who took classes at Davidson prior to full coeducation in 1972. Some of these women completed all of the requirements for a degree, but did not receive a diploma from the college. This section also discusses pivotal moments and student leaders following the adoption of full coeducation in 1972 until today.

 

Landing Page:  You can find artifacts from the Davidson College Archives and Special Collections about academic life as related to coeducation at Davidson College on this page.

 

Coeducation, 1860s - 1960s: While women would not be allowed to formally enroll as full degree-seeking students until the 1970s, women did take classes at Davidson College beginning in 1861, when some of President Kirkpatrick's seven daughters took classes at Davidson.  A selection of those experiences are highlighted on this page.

 

Coeducation, 1969 - Today: The first step to full coeducation came in 1969 with the arrival of "exchange students" from seven colleges (Hampden-Sydney, Hollins, Mary Baldwin, Randolph-Macon, Sweet Briar, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, and Washington and Lee) to take classes at Davidson. Soon after, in 1972, Davidson College accepted our first degree-seeking women students. You will encounter the stories of some of those students, as well as major academic transitions at the college following coeducation, on this page. 

 

 

Advisory Statement:
Davidson College Archives and Special Collections contain materials originally published in yearbooks, newspapers, and other Davidson College publications. You may encounter upsetting racist, oppresive, and outdated representations in these documents. They are included for historical accuracy and do not represent the views of the current Davidson College community, which seeks to honor the dignity of all persons and commits itself to a quest for truth and building of a more just and humane future. 

 

Note: On these pages we may use the terms alumna, alumnae, and women graduates. Alumnae refers to a group of graduates who identify as women. Alumna is the singular form of alumnae. There are debates surrounding the use of alumnae and alumna as the terms can feel outdated. For some, the terms are an assertion of their identity. We try to use the terms we have seen individuals use for themselves and others when possible.