When I first stepped onto Dean College’s campus in 2017, I was struck by the sense of history woven into every building. Dean isn’t just a college in Franklin, Massachusetts it’s a community defined by resilience, transformation, and what many call the Dean Difference. Founded in 1865 by Dr. Oliver Dean, a Franklin native and philanthropist, Dean began as Dean Academy, a residential school serving students from New England and beyond. Over time, it evolved in step with the nation’s history. Following World War II, Dean entered a period of rapid growth: new dormitories, a science center, a library, and a vibrant student center rose to meet the needs of a changing student body. By the 1990s, under the leadership of President Paula M. Rooney, the institution transitioned from Dean Junior College to the Dean College we know today a private college dedicated to student success, innovation, and community engagement.

For me, Dean College carries a personal connection. My father attended when it was still Dean Junior College, and I often heard his stories of campus life in Franklin. Walking past Dean Hall years later as a student myself, I realized that the same traditions, support systems, and drive for excellence that shaped his experience were still alive on campus. That’s the power of the Dean Difference: it’s a legacy that bridges generations. But Dean isn’t just about its past it’s about the creative energy that defines the present. Whether in classrooms, studios, or athletic fields, students are encouraged to find their voice and make their mark. For me, that voice came through both art and writing. I began illustrating in middle school, fascinated by how an image could capture emotions words sometimes couldn’t. Later, through writing, I found another way to explore relationships, experiences, and the stories that shape our everyday lives.

That’s what makes Dean unique. It’s a place where history and innovation intersect, where students are supported to discover their passions, and where personal stories like my father’s and my own connect to a much larger narrative of resilience and growth. Dean College isn’t just an institution. It’s a living, evolving community. And what makes a Bulldog is exactly that spirit! A commitment to carrying forward tradition while embracing the future.