Warhawk Almanac: The First Summer Session

In 1899, Whitewater Normal School (now UW-Whitewater) opened for its first summer session. Running from July 5th to August 5th teachers from all parts of the state were expected to show up and take advantage of “the Normal School equipment.” [1] During the summer session the school also offered a Model Class for teachers to work with like they did during the normal school year. [2] This first session only had five instructors and was attended by 90 students. This continued for two years and then lapsed for two years after that. [3]

SummerSchool
Article about the 1905 Summer School Session from The Royal Purple.

In 1907, when the seventh annual summer session was held the session ran for six weeks beginning July 8th. This session included a “special set of primary courses for primary teachers who may obtain a new certificate, without examination by attending a two weeks’ course in Primary methods.” [4] By 1925, the summer session was streamlined for Commercial Teachers and added special courses in Vocation and Part-Time schooling. [5] For the 2023 summer session Whitewater is offering three-, six-, nine-, or twelve-week courses running May 22-August 12. Students can use the summer session as a way to improve their GPA by retaking a course or as a way to stay on track (or get ahead) in graduation requirements. In fact, “Students who take summer courses are 21% more likely to graduate in four years. [6]

[1] “The Summer School,” The Whitewater Register (Whitewater), May 25th, 1899.
[2] “The Summer School,” The Whitewater Register (Whitewater), May 25th, 1899.
[3] “Summer School,” The Royal Purple (Whitewater), April 1st, 1907.
[4] “Summer School,” The Royal Purple (Whitewater), April 1st, 1907.
[5] “Special Courses Planned for Summer School Session,” The Royal Purple (Whitewater), February 4th, 1925.
[6] “Summer Session,” Summer Session 2023, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, effective December 8, 2022, https://www.uww.edu/ce/summer.

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