History of Champlain College

When G. W. Thompson established Burlington Collegiate Institute—which would later become Champlain College—in downtown Burlington in 1878, he opened the doors to a tradition for innovation and evolution. The College saw several transformations as it evolved into the Burlington Business College and then into a junior college before becoming the institution it is today— a national leader in educating students to become skilled practitioners, effective professionals and global citizens.

In 1958, the College moved from its downtown location to Burlington’s historic Hill Section and was renamed Champlain College, after the beautiful, adjacent lake.

Champlain continued to grow and in the early 1990s began offering its first bachelor’s degree programs, which now draw students from around the country. Champlain instituted one of the nation’s first online education programs, establishing satellite campuses abroad and hosting international students on campus. In 2002, the College again made history by offering its first master’s degree program in Managing Innovation & Information Technology. The College’s study abroad campus in Montreal will open in the fall of 2007, with other overseas campuses forthcoming.

Champlain's distinctive campus now comprises nearly 40 buildings, a blend of Victorian-era mansions and high-tech facilities with views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

Today, the College remains committed to the importance of innovation and discovery by offering a relevant education, a unique integration of professionally-focused programs with an interdisciplinary core curriculum, great professors with real-world experience and a passion for teaching, and an engaged campus where students can connect with each other through activities and community service.