At its conception Lexington Normal School, which would evolve to become what is now known as Framingham State University, was designated to teach and train women teachers exclusively. However 125 years after the establishment of the school, as the institution continued to grow and evolve, in 1964 Framingham State began to enroll male students during its transition from a teacher-only college to a multi-disciplinary institution.
With the enrollment of Joseph Ahern, George Duane, David Hurley, Francis Murphy, Norman Taylor, Paul Willitts, Terrence Montinari, Joseph Valenti, William Priestman Jr., Paul Champagne, Alexander Exarhopoulos, and Michael Desilets, the first thirteen male students of the university in September 1964, Framingham State became a co-educational institution.
Out of these thirteen men, six students went on to graduate in 1968, including Duane, Taylor, Montinari, Desilets, Taylor, and Willitts. David Hurley, another one of the original thirteen, went on to complete his degree and graduate in 1970.
By 1970, only four years after the admittance of the original thirteen, Framingham State was able to yield a full men’s basketball team. Only two years later, in 1972, Framingham State was able to have a complete football team which held a 44 man roster.
Though the co-educational transition was ultimately successful, the initial reaction from students who were enrolled prior to the transition as well as female students coming in the class of 1964 included expressions of concern as the majority did not want to attend a co-educational college.
Some female students expressed that they felt this inclusion of male students would alter the traditions of the institution and one student even expressed that they felt that this transition was “the worst thing that could ever happen to Framingham State.”
In September of 1965, as the male enrollment rates increased the Boston Sunday Advertiser ran an article about the newly established co-education Framingham State: the article opened with, “There are 32 reasons why the 1100 girls,” at Framingham State, “are going to look prettier, better dressed, and more crisply groomed this year,” which was in reference to the 32 male students that they would be attended classes with.
Despite the sexist beginnings, male enrollment rates have only risen since the enrollment of the original thirteen male students. Currently, male enrollment rates are at 42% overall.
Although the institution was rooted in a female-only enrollment basis which remained in place for 125 years, it is difficult to imagine Framingham State University with a little less than half of its current student population.
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