The History of BDIC

It's hard to believe that BDIC is now a 36-year old program that started with a revolutionary idea from one person. Dr. Arthur Kinney came up with the proposal to start a new type of major where students could design their own independent, individualized majors. He founded BDIC in 1970, when such a concept was not very common. Considering methods to ensure a good, solid and useful education for undergraduates was imperative to Dr. Kinney's plan. He also ensured that BDIC would be a desirable program, giving its students what they needed in a fulfilling way. A major concern of Dr. Kinney's was also to make sure that the BDIC program would not interfere with the regular course of study in other majors. He believed that finding exceptional faculty sponsors was an integral part of the success of the program, especially when the sponsors were actively engaged in students’ curricula.

When Dr. Kinney had the details and organizational aspects of BDIC worked out, it was time to convince the University that BDIC should become a major. The Faculty Senate, the Administration and the Board of Trustees in Boston all had to agree that BDIC was a viable program. We have Dr. Frederick S. Troy to thank for his support at this stage in the game. He had long ago retired from the University English Department and was then serving as the chair of the Trustees Academic Committee. He was a strong ally for sound academic ventures, including new and untried ones, such as BDIC.

From the moment BDIC became a major, some interesting students created cutting edge concentrations, placing them on the road to success. A shining example of one of the first BDIC students is Susan Howard, now a successful attorney.  Susan created a concentration in Women’s Studies through BDIC (before the Women’s Studies department existed).  For the last 36 years, hundreds of students like Susan Howard have come and gone through the BDIC program, inserting creativity and initiative into their majors, and discovering much success along the way.

Important Dates

Message Board