Mr. Jack Nesson VP and Director, 1955-1971
Jack Nesson passed away on August 8, 2019 after a very long battle with cancer and other health issues.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Jack Nesson, Vice President and Director of CSB and GJC from 1955 to 1970. It was his vision, drive and determination to transform our college from a for-profit business school to an bona-fide college.
The story
…In August of
"55 I noticed an ad under "women" for a admission director for the
Cambridge School of Business (the Radio-TV division had its own
director). Evidently
Milton Grahm was curious why a male would answer his ad so he gave
me an interview. He was only prepared to pay $75 per week but
agreed to give me the opportunity and he agreed to $100 per week.
I took over
the School of Business with 13 students and we occupied one floor at
687 Boylston St. Two rooms were devoted to Radio and one to
the business school. There was 1 part-time instructor being
paid $10 an hour. The rest of the rooms were dark and unoccupied.
During the
first few weeks I interviewed only middle aged women looking to take
a shorthand and/or bookkeeping course. It was very evident
that something had to be done if this job I took would be a lasting
one.
In order to
grow my first job was to convince Milton Grahm to open all rooms on
the floor and equip them with blackboards, chairs, typewriters (no
computers then) and a variety of office machines. I even
included a lounge with TV.
This was very expensive but Grahm agreed when he heard of my
plans on how I believed we could succeed.
My first plan
was to go to every local high school where it was arranged for me to
speak to girls who were not going to college but were interested in
a secretarial/business program.
Appointments
were made and every time a prospective student came to my office
(day or night) bells were ringing and I always said the students
were on break. That first year no prospective full time
student ever saw an enrolled student.
My first day
school class consisted of 25 girls paying $14.50 per week and if
they missed a week they were not charged. We were not making
any money but again Grahm agreed to allow me to increase the area of
recruiting and I then went to NH, Me. and VT The following
year the enrollment increased
and by this
time I was speaking to both business and radio students. Grahm
again invested in more modern radio equipment and hired local
personalities to teach on a as needed basis.
…. In the
early 60's I found I needed space to house the students and we
rented space in some of the houses on Exeter Street and Comm.
Avenue. Our student body was growing each year.
...It might seem
to you that my focus was on the business school. You are right
because I felt our growth was in that direction. The
School of Broadcasting was always a night school and didn't take off
until the school moved to Kenmore Square and we hired Bruce Williams
as full-time Director of Admissions.
…. By
this time I led the school of business to national accreditation and
eventually to Junior College with the right to award the Associates
Degree.
Milton Grahm
was always the financier and it was his money that allowed the
College to grow and prosper during the 60's and early 70's. …
Both the
College of Business and the School of Broadcasting grew
simultaneously and Grahm spent the money necessary to buy and equip
the building in Kenmore Square, the Kenmore Hotel, the Wadsworth and
eventually the Buckminster Hotel. He did it with reinvesting
and his own money. …