Nils Yngve Wessell
Encyclopedia
Nils Yngve Wessell was an American psychologist
and the eighth president of Tufts University
from 1953 to 1966, overseeing its transformation from a small liberal arts college to an internationally renowned research university.
to Swedish immigrants Nils Johan Wessell, a Congregationalist minister, and Esther Walquist Wessell, a nurse.
He obtained his B.S. in psychology from Lafayette College
in 1934, his master's in psychology from Brown University
in 1935, and his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Rochester
in 1938. (He was later awarded honorary degrees from Lafayette College
, Lesley College
, Boston University
, Boston College
, Northeastern University, Brown University
, and Brandeis University
.)
He married Marian Sigler about 1938 and had two children, Nils H. and Roberta.
, Wessell taught psychology (1939-1947) and was dean of liberal arts (1939-1953) and vice president (1951-1953). Upon becoming president of the college on December 9, 1953, he called for Tufts to become a university, leading the Massachusetts Board of Corporations to change the name from Tufts College to Tufts University. In addition to the name change, Wessell committed to developing graduate programs in the colleges of arts, sciences and engineering in order to become a true research university.
Biology and chemistry laboratories, an engineering building, new dormitories, and the Wessell Library were built during his presidency, and the Experimental College and Lincoln Filene Center for Public Service were opened.
He resigned in 1966 due to his belief in "change in the office of president in a university every 10 or 15 years."
from 1968 to 1979. In 1976, he was chairman of a New York commission that studied the possibility of merging the City University of New York
system with the State University of New York
system, ultimately advising against it.
He died at his home in Naples, Florida
on March 4, 2007.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
and the eighth president of Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
from 1953 to 1966, overseeing its transformation from a small liberal arts college to an internationally renowned research university.
Early life and education
Wessell was born in Warren, PennsylvaniaWarren, Pennsylvania
Warren is a city in Warren County, Pennsylvania, United States, located along the Allegheny River. The population was 9,710 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Warren County. It is home to the headquarters of the Allegheny National Forest and the Cornplanter State Forest...
to Swedish immigrants Nils Johan Wessell, a Congregationalist minister, and Esther Walquist Wessell, a nurse.
He obtained his B.S. in psychology from Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
in 1934, his master's in psychology from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1935, and his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
in 1938. (He was later awarded honorary degrees from Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
, Lesley College
Lesley College
Lesley College is the undergraduate section, and founding institution of, Lesley University.The college was founded in 1909 by Edith Lesley as The Lesley School, a women's college which focused on early childhood education as a part of the international kindergarten movement established by...
, Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
, Northeastern University, Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, and Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
.)
He married Marian Sigler about 1938 and had two children, Nils H. and Roberta.
Career at Tufts
Brought to Tufts in 1939 by his mentor, Tufts president Leonard CarmichaelLeonard Carmichael
Leonard Carmichael was a U.S. educator and psychologist. Born on November 9, 1898 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he received his B.S. from Tufts University in 1921 and his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1924...
, Wessell taught psychology (1939-1947) and was dean of liberal arts (1939-1953) and vice president (1951-1953). Upon becoming president of the college on December 9, 1953, he called for Tufts to become a university, leading the Massachusetts Board of Corporations to change the name from Tufts College to Tufts University. In addition to the name change, Wessell committed to developing graduate programs in the colleges of arts, sciences and engineering in order to become a true research university.
Biology and chemistry laboratories, an engineering building, new dormitories, and the Wessell Library were built during his presidency, and the Experimental College and Lincoln Filene Center for Public Service were opened.
He resigned in 1966 due to his belief in "change in the office of president in a university every 10 or 15 years."
Later life
Wessell was president of the Institute for Educational Development from 1965 to 1968 and president of the Alfred P. Sloan FoundationAlfred P. Sloan Foundation
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization in the United States. It was established in 1934 by Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., then-President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors.-Overview:...
from 1968 to 1979. In 1976, he was chairman of a New York commission that studied the possibility of merging the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
system with the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
system, ultimately advising against it.
He died at his home in Naples, Florida
Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007...
on March 4, 2007.