Dean College was founded by Dr. Oliver Dean as a co-educational academy in 1865. Dr. Dean was an enthusiastic benefactor of the academy and donated approximately nine acres of land for the site of the school and donated $125,000 towards its construction. After the groundbreaking ceremony held earlier in the year, the first class at Dean Academy began on October 1, 1866, with 44 students attending. The students held class in the local Universalist Church. Dean Hall, the main building of Dean Academy, was not finished until 1868. During the summer of 1872, Dean Hall was completely destroyed by fire, but reconstruction efforts began immediately. On June 7, 1874, the newly rebuilt Dean Hall was rededicated. The school mascot is a bulldog named Boomer. Notable alumni include Richard Belzer who was kicked out of Dean College when it was known as Dean Junior College. The founders of CVS Pharmacy, Sid Goldstein and Stanley Goldstein, and the founder of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Austin Barclay Fletcher, also attended Dean. Major League Baseball players Eddie Grant and Gabby Hartnett, sportscaster Greg Dickerson, professional football player Zachary Dixon, NY Times best-selling authorEmilie Baker Loring, and Oscar Award-winning actor Broderick Crawford are also notable alumni.
Campus
The campus includes Dean Hall, the College's oldest structure which houses classrooms, Power 88 WGAO the radio station, offices, the Center for Student Administrative Services, Campus Safety, video production studios/classrooms, the President's office and board room, and two floors of student residences. Dean has completed an ambitious renovation program which included the installation of an elevator in Dean Hall, upgrades to Bourret Hall - a residence hall; and a complete renovation of the E. Ross Anderson Library. In 2011, Dean College unveiled a new Campus Center. There are many housing options for students including furnished condominiums in downtown Franklin, suite-style living, all-female residence halls, all-male residence halls and co-ed residence halls. Dean College offers bachelor's degree and associate degree programs within four schools: School of the Arts, School of Business, Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance, and School of Liberal Arts. Dean also offers Part-Time Continuing Studies options to serve students who wish to pursue their education on a part-time basis. Part-time students may also enroll in certificate programs.
Athletics
Dean College offers 16 athletic teams. The teams are known as the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs participate in Division III of the NCAA in the following sports:
