Location: by sanders 204

 

William Sanders made Fitchburg State the perfect place for soldiers coming

home from World War II looking to transition back to civilian life. He created veteran housing that was comfortable and affordable for these brave men and women coming back from war and expanded academic programming that took advantage of the skills they developed in the military. 

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College attendance boomed following World War II. During WW2 male enrollment had dropped drastically and the school (in order to make up for the low attendance) implemented a co-educational plan that allowed women to enroll at the Industrial Arts program.

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Sanders knew there would be a teacher shortage in the nation, especially in the Industrial Arts field as many of the I.A. teachers had moved to military services or to industries for war production. With a 34% increase in enrollment in 1945 along and eleven veterans enrolling under the GI Bill, Sanders arranged to move prefabricated housing from South Portland, Maine for veterans deciding to go to college.

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With many veterans coming home with experience in military service and war production industries these potential students could further their craft at Fitchburg State College. In 1957 the college became the only institution in Massachusetts to offer a baccalaureate in Industrial Arts. Today the Industrial Arts department continues to be a leading institution in its own field, producing many graduates eager and able to find careers around the country.