Founded in 1914, Dunwoody is a private, non-profit, endowed institution of higher education. It is the oldest institution of its kind in the Upper Midwest, with an international reputation for outstanding educational programs. The prominent Minneapolis businessman, William Hood Dunwoody, left three million dollars in his will to establish Dunwoody. His purpose was to "provide for all time a place where youth without distinction on account of race, color or religious prejudice, may learn the useful trades and crafts, and thereby fit themselves for the better performance of life's duties."

When his wife, Kate L. Dunwoody, died a year later in 1915, she left an additional trust to help sustain the new school. Income from the endowment established by Mr. and Mrs. Dunwoody, supplemented with annual gifts from alumni, friends, and the industry-business-labor community, supports the yearly operation of the school. Because of such support, student tuition at Dunwoody is lower than at many other private institutions, for-profit or non-profit.

Reputation

Dunwoody's success can be seen in its outstanding alumni, the consistently high rate of placement of its graduates, enrollment of more than a quarter million students in over 90 years of operation, the extensive number of special training programs it provides for industry and labor, and its international reputation gained through development of technical education programs and consulting activities in over 20 foreign countries. Dunwoody`s regional accreditation also provides public assurance of educational quality and institutional integrity.

Location

Dunwoody is located just off freeways I-94 and I-394 near downtown Minneapolis, at the hub of a seven-county area of more than 2,500,000 people. Minneapolis is a growing metropolitan area that is the transportation, business, finance, and industrial center of the Upper Midwest, serving regional, national, and world markets.

Dunwoody's close proximity to industry is a distinct advantage for field trips, part-time jobs, and placement after graduation. Industry representatives for seminars, demonstrations, and industry shows are available within minutes of the school. Nearby are lakes, parks, professional sports, theater, music, hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, fine residential areas, and a mix of friendly, hospitable people.

Educational Philosophy

Dunwoody is a technical institution of higher education teaching men and women through hands-on learning. Dunwoody offers an intense, structured approach to education that facilitates individual learning and development. Programs are job-oriented and the learning environment fosters the qualities employers seek: productivity, self-discipline, confidence, teamwork, a positive attitude toward productivity, and an appreciation for a job well done.

The integration of the Arts and Sciences is a key component of each program. Dunwoody is committed to excellence in education and believes skill and technical competence must be balanced with a broad academic education to enhance each graduate's success and facilitate life-long learning. Life-long learning skills that go beyond the technical aspects of an occupation are learned in course work that imparts the knowledge, concepts, and attitudes needed to live in a diverse society.

Working with industries and businesses employing Dunwoody graduates, Dunwoody instructors design all of the career programs. Technical instructors are industry-experienced and challenge students to perform to industry standards in both quality and quantity of work. Technical course requirements are based on what it takes to perform successfully on the job, so curricula are continually revised and updated. Instruction is organized on a semester schedule. Offerings include certificates, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in a variety of disciplines.

Quality education requires personal attention, a primary emphasis at Dunwoody. With a small class size, instructors have time to get to know their students and provide individual attention. The relatively small size of the full-time student body provides opportunities for students to be personally involved in their school and encourages them to get to know their classmates. In addition, hands-on classroom/laboratory experiences and both individual and group projects give our students the quality foundation that employers demand.

Educational Objectives

During his lifetime, William Hood Dunwoody lived a philosophy of helping others to help themselves. Dunwoody perpetuates this philosophy. In the spirit of this heritage and long tradition, Dunwoody facilitates the learning process by preparing people for technical employment and by retraining employed workers. As Dunwoody's students are taught to learn more effectively, they develop the skills needed to adapt to industry demands and technological changes.

It is Dunwoody's goal that graduating students will become responsible, contributing citizens, as well as able technicians and leaders in their professions. In addition to the specific employment objectives indicated for the respective programs, graduates should exhibit personal qualities that industry and society value. They should:

• Work responsibly, follow instructions, take initiative, and provide leadership.
• Think both logically and creatively.
• Apply knowledge to solve technical problems.
• Demonstrate confidence and project a positive self-image.
• Take advantage of opportunities for continued learning, both formally and on-the-job.
• Share knowledge, respect the rights of others and work effectively in cooperative endeavors.
• Possess the interpersonal skills to work effectively within a culturally diverse society.
• Recognize quality and strive for excellence.

These objectives represent attitudes and values that Dunwoody helps to develop and reinforce in its students during their learning experience.

Inclusiveness Statement

It was through the last will and testament of William Hood Dunwoody that Dunwoody came to exist, including its "policy" for diversity. Diversity is not a new concept to Dunwoody; rather, it began with the very conception of the school.

Despite the fact that "cultural diversity" is a contemporary concept, William Hood Dunwoody understood its importance in 1914. To him and to Dunwoody today, inclusiveness is not a program or a movement, but a value and a daily celebration. Dunwoody cherishes the history, culture and accomplishments of everyone regardless of racial or ethnic heritage, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Everyone has a part to play, and all contributions enrich Dunwoody.