Mission Statement
New England College is a creative and supportive learning community that challenges individuals to transform themselves and their world.
Description of Mission
New England College emphasizes experiential learning as an essential component in the development of an enduring academic community. Building upon a strong liberal arts foundation, we challenge our students to reach their full potential through informed discourse and the pursuit of excellence in a framework of academic freedom that reflects the following values:
- imaginative, innovative, and creative approaches to all endeavors;
- respect for self in the development of personal, social, physical, and intellectual abilities;
- caring and collaborative relationships among members of our community;
- respect for the varied qualities of individuals, communities, and the world;
- an appreciation of beauty and elegance in the search for truth;
- inquiry into and the pursuit of social justice;
- ethical and responsible citizenship, including service to the community;
- the pursuit of ecological sustainability;
- continuous learning and a lifetime of personal achievement.
Basic Facts: NEC at a Glance
Just fifteen miles from Concord, the busy capital of New Hampshire, lies the classic New England village of Henniker. The covered bridge, white clapboard buildings, antique stores, inns, and restaurants might all be seen on a postcard. With the hills of southern New Hampshire as a backdrop and the Contoocook River running through its midst, Henniker is the home of New England College. Visitors are immediately drawn in by the picturesque setting and the genuine welcome that they feel. The sense of community is pervasive and embracing with a strong connection between the College and the town.
New Hampshire has always been a popular destination for those seeking the finest in outdoor adventure. With its unparalleled scenic beauty and a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities, New Hampshire offers endless possibilities that include hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking, horseback riding, skiing, and the observation, study, and photography of nature and wildlife. The College’s location provides easy access to all of the state’s amenities. Nordic ski trails are available on campus, and alpine skiing is just two miles away.
Students at New England College represent great diversity. They discover a community that is internationally and culturally diverse, a campus that is informal and friendly, and an educational experience that is challenging; all of which leave lasting impressions.
In addition to the array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs that it offers, New England College features a wide range of co‐curricular activities that include both a high and low ropes course. The College supports thirteen intercollegiate men’s and women’s athletic teams including lacrosse, soccer, cross‐country, ice hockey, field hockey, softball, baseball, and basketball. More than half of the student body participates in interscholastic athletics, club, or recreational sports. There are more than two dozen student organizations from which to choose including Adventure Bound, the Carriage Theatre Ensemble, the International Student Association and CiviCorps, our organization of citizen scholars and activist. Students publish a campus newspaper, The New Englander, and manage the College’s radio station, WNEC. Cultural events, social activities, and other co‐curricular experiences are regularly scheduled by the Student Entertainment Committee (SEC) in collaboration with the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Student Involvement.
A Brief History of NEC
Academic visionary Boone Tillet identified an important opportunity to serve the educational needs of the numerous veterans returning home at the close of World War II. Their expanded vision of the world had awakened a keen interest in all they had encountered. With the growing demand for higher education and a new G.I. Bill available to finance their education, the sevice men and women of the Greatest Generation eagerly sought out the degree offerings of the nation’s colleges and universities.
Tillet chose Henniker, New Hampshire, as the home for a new college dedicated to educating returning veterans. He recruited a fellow scholar, Charles Weber, from Hofstra University to serve as the College’s first dean, and arrived in Henniker with a car full of books from his own library. In 1946 New England College welcomed its first class of 67 men and one woman.
A tireless entrepreneur, Tillet soon moved on to new ventures; the momentum he had created sustained the institution through its formative stage. After only three years, enrollment at New England College had more than quadrupled. Through the 1950s the College grew steadily, adding new programs, new faculty, and acquiring additional buildings in Henniker. A period of rapid growth in the 1960s resulted in the construction of several new buildings on campus: a residence hall, dining hall, gymnasium, library, and the Science Building.
New England College continued to expand during the early 1970s, this time across the Atlantic Ocean. The acquisition of a second campus in Arundel, West Sussex, England, proved at that time to be an unconventional and innovative approach to education. Students attending the British Campus were immersed in a learning environment that was international in its perspective and served to heighten their educational experience.
By the 1980s the College had increased its enrollment to more than 1,000 students and added steadily to its inventory of academic buildings. The Lee Clement Ice Arena was one of the largest construction projects completed during that decade.
The advent of the 1990s saw an overall decline in enrollment at the nation’s small liberal arts colleges. New England College persevered during the lean financial years, but reluctantly closed its British Campus and focused its energies on its resources in Henniker. New leadership in the ‘90s led to an unprecedented growth in campus facilities with the construction of the Simon Center in 1993, and in student enrollment. The College greatly expanded its graduate degree offerings and centered its undergraduate programming on innovative delivery. A state‐of‐the‐art teaching facility, the Center for Educational Innovation, opened in 2001, and a new art gallery, theater, and fitness center were brought online during this period.
The most recent addition to the New England College campus is the John Lyons Center, named after NEC’s long time business professor. The Lyons Center, situated where Larter Hall was located, represents a major expansion of academic program. In addition to ten state of the art classrooms, there are a number of small group study area’s, open study space, and a small cafe`. The Lyons Center is adjacent to the former Henniker railroad station, completely renovated and rededicated as the Currier Alumni Center. David P. Currier, a former trustee of the College and a member of the Class of 1972, provided a major gift to create a welcoming gathering place for all alumni of the College. Together these two buildings represent the first phases to expanding the southern portion of NEC’S campus.
Today, New England College continues to provide an enriching educational experience for both undergraduate and graduate students alike, in a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Our degree programs have recently expanded with new programs added to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies curriculum and the College’s first doctoral program. The completion of the $1.5 million artificial turf field in the spring of 2010 marks the largest building project undertaken by the College since the completion of the Center for Educational Innovation in 2001.
Shared Teaching Commitments: NEC’s Approach to Teaching and Learning
New England College Faculty have committed to the following shared teaching commitments:
- A commitment to natural and civic environments.
The NEC community and curriculum promotes engaged and experiential interaction with our rich natural and civic environments.
- A commitment to engaged and experiential teaching principles and practices.
NEC commits itself to a set of Pedagogical Principles and Practices that characterizes our students’ educational experience.
NEC Pedagogical Principles:
- Classroom experiences are connected to the real world
- Courses include physical, hands‐on exercises
- Faculty use alternative modes of teaching and learning
- Courses include outside‐of‐classroom experiences
- Programs include Community Placements or other Experiential Learning activities
- Students’ questions drive instruction and relevance
NEC Pedagogical Practices:
- Problem‐based Learning
- Service Learning
- Place‐Based Learning
- Project‐Based Learning
- Collaborative Learning
- A commitment to the 21st Century Essential Learning outcomes.
A New England College education is grounded in particular 21st century outcomes as articulated by the LEAP Campaign promoted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. These outcomes promote critical thinking skills which are essential for educated members of our society.
Accreditation
New England College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. The Teacher Education Program (and the certifications in elementary education, physical education, secondary education, special education, principal, and superintendent) is approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education.
New England College is also a member of the New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC). Under its Student Exchange Program, students may enroll at other NHCUC institutions to take individual courses, or as full‐time students for one or two semesters. This cross‐registration is on a space‐available basis. Courses taken at NHCUC institutions by a matriculating student are considered equivalent to courses taken at New England College, and are included in computing the NEC grade point average. Students wishing to participate in the Student Exchange Program should consult with their academic advisors and pre‐register with the student‐exchange coordinator in the NEC Registrar’s Office.
NHCUC member institutions include Antioch University of New England, Chester College New England, Colby‐Sawyer College, the Community College System of New Hampshire, Dartmouth College, Franklin Pierce University, Granite State College, Hellenic American University, Keene State College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, New Hampshire Institute of Art, Plymouth State University, Rivier College, Saint Anselm College, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of New Hampshire. Students remain degree candidates and continue to pay normal New England College tuition, but must make their own room and board arrangements and pay any extra fees (e.g. student activities) directly to the NHCUC institution. New England College is a charter member of Project Pericles and a member of Campus Compact.
Campus Facilities
Simon Center
The heart of the NEC campus is the Simon Center. Built through the generosity of former United States Secretary of the Treasury William Simon (1927‐2000) in honor of his three daughters who are alumnae of New England College, the Simon Center serves as the campus center for the College. Conveniently located, the Simon Center is the focal point for many of the College’s co‐curricular activities and larger public presentations. The Simon Center also features the Pathways Center, administrative offices for Student Life, several meeting rooms, the Great Room, the College Bookstore, Mail Center, and Campus Communications Center. Also in the Simon Center are the Campus Café, Tortington Arms Pub, the Sayce Lounge, Reflection Room (for quiet contemplation), and offices for student-oriented programs and activities.
Center for Educational Innovation
The CEI building is a 14,000 square‐foot state‐of‐the‐art teaching facility adjacent to the library and outfitted with the latest in educational technology. The first floor features classrooms with audio‐visual computer projection equipment as well as Promethean Boards. A link between the main teacher console and networked data ports allows students and faculty to participate in video conferencing with students and teachers all over the world. The second floor is the home of the College’s Education Department, where teachers‐in-training are given the opportunity to work alongside experienced mentors as both use the latest technology to enhance their approach to teaching and learning.
H. Raymond Danforth Library
Telephone: 603.428.2344
The H. Raymond Danforth Library, located at the center of campus, is an inviting space in which to conduct academic research or relax with a good book. The Library supports the mission of the College by providing a creative, innovative and supportive learning environment for the entire community, including students, faculty and staff. Combining its traditional responsibility as a repository for academic‐related materials with its mission to contribute to the dynamic learning environment of the College, the Library’s staff is dedicated to providing the New England College community with the professional expertise and personalized attention they need to fulfill their research and information needs.
In addition to the formal classroom instruction they receive, students enjoy opportunities for special workshops and individualized attention relating to their academic endeavors. A close working relationship between the College’s faculty and the Library staff allows for a successful coordination of homework and scholarly research.
A full complement of both print and electronic resources is available through the Library. More than 100,000 volumes and 150 print periodical subscriptions can be found in the Library’s two floors of open stacks. Access to more than 15,000 periodical titles, full‐text databases, and a number of reference sources is provided through the Library web page. Further resources provided at the web page include subject‐specific Internet resources as well as assignment‐specific topics designed by the librarians to aid students, faculty and staff with their research needs. A selective depository for New Hampshire state documents, the Library also contains specialized collections of Shakespeare and New Hampshire‐related materials.
The Pathways‐Tutoring Center, located on the second floor of the Danforth Library, provides a variety of academic services including professional and peer tutoring programs. Tutors are available for individual, group and drop‐in tutoring six days a week. They focus on core academic needs, such as math and writing, as well as support for specific academic courses. Professional and peer tutors also work with faculty members to assist students with study skills, study halls, time management, test reviews and goal setting. The center’s major objective is to facilitate academic success while encouraging students to become independent thinkers.
The Library is home to a thirty‐seat computer lab, several comfortable reading rooms, quiet study space and an instruction area. It is open nearly 100 hours each week and reference assistance is available more than 70 hours a week.
New England College is a member of the New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC), which supports an active interlibrary loan program with the participating institutions. The NHCUC members also allow students and faculty common borrowing privileges at each institution’s library and access to their combined holdings of more than five million volumes.
The Library is also a member of GMILCS, Inc., a consortium of public and academic libraries in southern New Hampshire. The consortium allows New England College students with a current ID to check out materials from any of its members, including the public libraries of Amherst, Bedford, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Salem and Windham, New Hampshire, as well as the New Hampshire Institute of Art. As a participating member in the OCLC worldwide network of libraries, New England College students have access to shared cataloging and interlibrary loan from library collections throughout the world.
Information Technology
The Office of Information Technology installs and maintains all campus technology used for teaching and learning. The College maintains approximately 145 Windows and nearly 40 Apple Mac computers for students located in five campus buildings. The Science Building has four computer labs, two of which feature Macintosh computers for academic use. The Science Building also has a mobile wireless cart with 10 laptops and printing capabilities, movable to any classroom in the building. The Danforth Library has a lab featuring 30 computers with printing capabilities, along with an additional 6 Macintosh computers. Spaulding Hall’s Writing Center has 35 PCs and printing capability for use by students in writing courses. Both classrooms have Promethean interactive white boards. The CEI (Center for Educational Innovation) has two mobile laptop carts available for classroom use. The Simon Center contains a small lab in the Pathways Center for quick email checks, casual surfing, and printing. All student and instructional buildings on the campus provide wireless network access to complement the primary wired network.
In support of the student portfolio program, the CEI has a small design studio containing PCs with scanning and multimedia capability.
In addition to computers, the CEI’s classrooms are all equipped with multimedia technology including VCR/DVD players, speakers and digital projectors. Room 110 in CEI, named after NEC alumnus David Lockwood, has a high‐end multimedia system featuring video and computer projection systems along with high‐end audio output. Classrooms across also contain Promethean interactive white boards. New England College has an active online course program, supported through the use of Blackboard course management software. Students can find valuable course supplements and engage in virtual discussions through this medium. Faculty can use the latest design software to produce interactive courses.
Administration Building
Built in 1805 as a resort hotel, the Administration Building maintains its historic charm while serving as the location for many of the College’s administrative offices. In addition to the Office of the President, the Administration Building houses the Offices of Admissions, Public Information, Student Financial Services, and Human Resources.
Currier Alumni Center
The historic Henniker railroad station, constructed in 1900, is the newest addition to the New England College campus. David P. Currier, a former trustee of the College and a member of the Class of 1972, provided a major gift to create the center in 2011. The facility serves as an entryway and meeting place for visiting alumni, and houses a large collection of archival material and memorabilia. The Currier Alumni Center provides office space for members of the Office of Advancement.
Science Building
Built in 1972, this complex is completely outfitted with laboratories and classrooms. Two of the Science Building’s laboratories underwent extensive renovations in 2011 and now feature new equipment, instruments, and space for student research and experiments. The building contains four multi‐station computer labs, a state‐of‐the‐art Mac Lab that supports our digital photography and graphic design programs, and a video‐conferencing facility that promotes collaboration with an extended network of students and scholars.
Bridges Gymnasium
Bridges Gymnasium is the home of the College’s intercollegiate men’s and women’s basketball teams. It also functions as a center for recreational sports and extracurricular activities such as Tae Kwon Do and dance. Many of the coaches’ offices, the varsity athletic training room, locker rooms, and the fitness center may also be found in Bridges Gymnasium.
Fitness Center
The fitness center, located in the lower level of Bridges Gymnasium, is open to all members of the New England College community. It is designed to provide the community with a facility dedicated to the pursuit of physical conditioning. In addition, the Fitness Center serves as a venue for the practical training of our students studying the field of kinesiology. It is equipped with cardio machines, more than 2000 pounds of free weights, and plate‐loaded Bodymasters weight equipment.
Lee Clement Ice Arena
Built in 1991 and named for an alumnus and long‐time staff member of the College, the Lee Clement Ice Arena is home to the men’s and women’s ice hockey programs and serves the College’s hockey and figure skating clubs. The Office of the Athletic Director, as well as offices of several coaches, is located in the arena.
The Field House
The Field House is an all‐purpose facility that serves the College’s varsity and recreational sports teams. It is equipped with an artificial playing surface that replicates outdoor capabilities in an indoor, weather‐protected facility. It is adjacent to both the Lee Clement Ice Arena and Bridges Gymnasium.
Laurie Cox Athletic Fields
With more than 26 acres of athletic fields, New England College offers an extensive facility for intercollegiate and recreational programs. Our students enjoy baseball, softball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, cross-country track, and informal recreational activities that require the use of open stretches of land. Located adjacent to the Laurie Cox Athletic Fields are the College’s tennis courts.
Don Melander Turf Field
One of the cornerstones of the College’s athletic facilities is the $1.5 million dollar Don Melander Turf Field completed in 2010. Supporting both varsity and recreational sports, the turf field is an integral component of the learning experience of our students and is used by men’s and women’s lacrosse and soccer, field hockey, classes, club sports, recreational sports, individual users, and community groups.
Ropes Course and Trails
New England College has more than three miles of woodland trails for snowshoeing, cross‐country skiing, and short hikes. We also have a state‐of‐the‐art high and low ropes course used for classes in outdoor leadership and education as well as co‐curricular programs which promote team building, leadership development, and communication skills. Downhill skiing and snowboarding facilities are available free to students, faculty, and staff through a partnership with the Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker.
The Mainstage Theatre
The Mainstage Theatre, located in the College’s Science Building, is an ideal venue for the ambitious schedule of dramatic performances held throughout the calendar year. Built in 2002, it is an intimate, Off‐Broadway style theatre. It seats 103 and is handicap accessible. The theatre features a two‐level stage, computerized lighting and audio systems as well as a fully equipped workshop for scenery construction.
Studio Theatre
Providing a second space ideal for the dramatic presentations of New England College students, this black‐box theatre is suitable for full theatre productions, workshops, or poetry readings. It is located in the Carriage House and is the home of the student‐run Carriage Theatre Ensemble.
Art Studio
Tucked away on the edge of campus, the Art Studio offers both students and faculty a quiet setting for creative expression in the visual arts. This intimate space is conducive for work in oils, pencil, photography, sculpture, or the graphic arts.
Art Gallery
The New England College Gallery is committed to promoting and exhibiting contemporary and historically significant art to enhance the curriculum and encourage cultural inquiry and dialogue. The Gallery produces rotating exhibitions and programming in support of the mission and values of the College and provides a cultural access for the community and the region. The 1,500 square feet of light‐filled exhibition area is ideal for drawings, prints, paintings, photography, sculpture, and multimedia works. The Gallery’s permanent collection includes more than 550 works in a variety of media and was recently gifted 150 original Andy Warhol photographs through the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program. It is open to the NEC community and the general public free of charge throughout the year.
Carriage House
Located behind the Administration Building, Carriage House is the home of the College’s Studio Theatre. The offices of the Finance Department are located in Carriage House, which also houses the English Language program and International Students Resources.
Cogswell House
This impressive Colonial‐styled structure is the home of New England College’s president. Many College functions are held at Cogswell House as well as informal meetings for students, staff, and faculty.
Spaulding
Located on Bridge Street, Spaulding House is the home of the communication, English, and writing departments, and the College’s writing lab.
Tower House
The Art Department is located in Tower House. Art faculty offices are also found in this building as well as the home of the carreer & life planning department.
Davis House
Located across the street from Bridge Street House, Davis House serves as the Headquarters for the Office of the VPAA and Office of Academic Affairs.
Preston Barn
Located next to the Administration Building and the Art Gallery, Preston Barn Theatre Lab is home to offices for theatre faculty, the theatre lecture classroom, properties storage, and the costume shop.
Greenhouse
The Greenhouse was constructed by NEC students and completed in 1973. It is a valuable resource for the biology department and is used frequently for horticulture and botany courses. Funds for the construction of the building were donated by Ernest DuPont.
New England College Center in Concord
NEC Concord began operations in the fall of 2013. Located centrally in the state capital at 62 North Main Street, NEC Concord strategically supports the College’s mission. Graduate and undergraduate courses are taught in the state‐of‐the‐art classrooms. Educational series, musical and theatrical performances, and panel discussions with local professionals are scheduled 3‐4 nights a week, open to both the NEC community and the general public. NEC faculty and students use the site as a home base for local internships, service learning initiatives, and meetings with business and non‐profit leaders. The emphasis is on community engagement, on bridging the gap between college and community.
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