Chicago’s Kendall College Celebrates 75 Years of Excellence

The School Will Welcome Its Largest Class in History This Fall

CHICAGO, Ill., September 24, 2009 - Established in 1934, Chicago-based Kendall College today announced celebrations honoring its 75th anniversary. The school, originally founded in Evanston by two Scandinavian Methodist seminarians as a junior college with 34 students, has progressed to become a four-year baccalaureate degree granting institution located in a stunning “Riverworks” campus in downtown Chicago with nearly 2000 students. On September 30, 2009, Kendall will welcome its largest fall class to date.

Kendall was founded on the promise of offering a liberal arts education to students who could least afford it. For more than seven decades, the school has continued to fulfill unmet needs in education by offering instruction on topics that have typically been unavailable at other small colleges. In addition, Kendall has continued to offer a unique combination of education and work experiences on campus and in the surrounding community.

For example, Kendall launched its first distinctive “career” program with the Early Childhood Education program in 1972. Created originally to serve women in the school’s Woman’s Studies program, the offering served the needs of Kendall students who were preparing for careers in early childhood education by providing on-the-job experience. With the introduction of the School of Culinary Arts in 1985, the entire focus of the institution shifted from a traditional liberal arts education to a career-oriented curriculum.

Kendall’s School of Culinary Arts has grown to be recognized as one of the country’s leading culinary education programs, with the Associate degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission. Building on the success of the culinary program, Kendall introduced a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management in 1987. Revised into a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management in 2005, the program focus broadened to teach the art and science of hospitality management. The program also formed a strategic partnership with the internationally acclaimed Les Roches School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, ranked one of the top three international hospitality management schools in the world for an international career (Taylor Nelson Sofres 2007). While business programs at Kendall College began in the 1970s, a new School of Business was launched in 2007 to build on the college’s reputation for service excellence and professionalism.

Kendall’s School of Education facilitated the entrance of Kendall College into online delivery of coursework. Today, Kendall also has integrated online learning into its business, hospitality and psychology programs enabling students to complete their degrees through a combination of online courses and periodic classroom instruction. These flexible programs support Kendall’s historic and continuing mission to provide access to higher education for all students.

“I am thrilled to be able to celebrate this significant milestone within our college community,” said Dr. Nivine Megahed, President of Kendall College. “Kendall launched during the Great Depression when many colleges failed to survive, and it is still thriving 75 years later.”

All of Kendall’s programs offer a strong educational foundation, innovative and relevant classroom learning, and direct experience in the career world. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, Kendall’s students work closely with experienced faculty and have the ability to develop personal connections with local executives and industry experts. The colorful backgrounds of Kendall faculty range from Broadway actors and Olympic weight-lifters to local mayors and arctic explorers.

Today, Kendall offers distinct bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs in business, culinary arts, early childhood education, hospitality management and psychology.

• Business: The School of Business emphasizes the critical skills and professional edge needed to excel in today’s global workforce. Its courses use tools such as situation-based challenges, living case studies, management simulations and integrative projects. Succeeding in a changing and increasingly unpredictable marketplace is a fundamental focus. The goal is to generate graduates who are professional, confident and prepared for leadership roles in a variety of career fields.

• Culinary Arts: Named one of the Ten Best Culinary Schools in a survey of 150 leading food journalists and industry leaders (www.cookingschoolscompared.com), The School of Culinary Arts prepares students for successful careers and eventual leadership roles across the foodservice industry through strong professional skill development, comprehensive and current understanding of the foodservice industry, environmental awareness and exemplary professional demeanor.

• Education: The School of Education is committed to preparing teacher candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of successful early childhood educators who work in diverse settings and utilize the best educational practices based on research and theory.

• Hospitality Management: Kendall’s School of Hospitality Management is partnered with the Les Roches School in Switzerland, ranked one of the top three international hospitality management schools in the world for an international career (Taylor Nelson Sofres 2007). By blending management theory with experiential learning, case studies, projects and mandatory internships, the school helps give graduates a competitive edge. Students are able to gain additional “real-world” experience through Kendall’s stunning on-site facilities such as the Hyatt Hotels suite and a student-run fine dining restaurant.

“Laureate is fortunate to have Kendall College as part of its international network of universities,” said Douglas L. Becker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Laureate Education, Inc. “Kendall offers superior programs and provides an exceptional education for students from all over the world.”

To honor its 75th anniversary, Kendall College’s on-site fine-dining restaurant, The Dining Room, will host two seven-and-a-half course, retro-inspired “Diamond Dinners” on Friday, October 23 and Friday, November 20. The dinners are open to the public for $75.00 per person and reservations can be made by calling 312-752-2328.

About Kendall College
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2009, Kendall College offers undergraduate degrees in business, psychology, early childhood education, culinary arts and hospitality management. Current enrollment is approximately 1,900. The school occupies a stunning “Riverworks” campus near downtown Chicago. Since 1962, it has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org, 800.621.7440); The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission has accredited the Culinary Arts Associate and Baking & Pastry Associate programs since 1988. Kendall College is a member of the Laureate International Universities network.

Media Contacts:
Amber Cerda, acerda@kendall.edu, 312-752-2472
Maria Alexandra Velez, mvelez@kendall.edu, 443-627-7112