Lasell University

Offering both graduate and undergraduate degrees, Lasell College is a liberal arts institution based in the city of Newton, Massachusetts. The college was originally founded in 1857 as Auburndale Female Seminary, but has been co-educational since 1997. It  named for its founder Edward Lasell, who was a Professor of Chemistry at Williams College. The town of Newton itself is just seven miles west of Boston, allowing students an easy commute to one of the best student cities in the United States.

There are over forty academic programmes offered at Lasell. The Hospitality division also offers majors in Event and Resort & Casino management, and the course offers on-site visits to locations in Boston and across New England.

Lasell College prides itself on an interconnected approach to education, combining academic study with practical work experiences. Some examples of this are programmes offered to Justice students at the Victim’s Rights Law Centre, trainee accountants taking lessons directly from the IRS, and fashion students interning at CranBarry Inc.

The office of Student Activities both oversees clubs and organisations, and manages its own campus events. Dating back to the 1800s, the Torchlight Parade sees students light torches and set ablaze objects symbolising issues that have ‘irritated’ them over the past year. Another Lasell tradition is the annual River Day, in which students, family and faculty participate in boat races on the Charles river that runs through the campus.

Sports teams at Lasell are known as the Lasers, and compete in the NCAA Division III. The team play in colours of blue and white, and the mascot is known as Boomer, inspired by the industrialists who were instrumental in the establishment of the college.