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On June 5, 2006, after notification by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and the Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, President Theodore C. Landsmark has announced a new name, The Boston Architectural College, for the BAC.

“This is a joyous time for our students, alumni, past and present faculty, staff, and dedicated supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of the Center as the foundation of our wider recognition as a College.” states Landsmark.

A committee of alumni, Board members, Overseers, faculty, students, and staff considered this name change during a 2004-05 Strategic Planning process. The decision took into consideration the BAC’s expansion of degree offerings to include design studies, interior design, and landscape architecture, and a desire to continue to serve as a learning resource for teaching practitioners and for the general public to discuss design issues.

This evolution in program, public identity, and name reflects a past century of growth and change. The last name change was in the 1940s, when the Boston Architectural Club became the Boston Architectural Center. The Institution honors a 116 year-old tradition by continuing to call itself “the BAC.”

The Boston Architectural College’s schools hold concurrent learning, linking academics and practice integral to the teaching and preparation of students for practice. Concurrent learning distinguishes the BAC from other professional design schools, and will continue to be a part of the College identity and pedagogy.

In recent years the BAC has increased the commitment to practitioner faculty development and support, and to improve student learning outcomes. The BAC currently has more volunteer faculty than at any time in history – nearly 300 practitioners. In supporting practitioners as the vast majority of its faculty, the BAC has become more rigorously collegiate than in the past and less informal about helping faculty and students achieve success, through increased faculty development and advising. The Boston Architectural College holds itself more rigorously accountable for student learning outcomes as good for students, and for the professions served.

The Boston Architectural College will maintain its long-standing commitments to accessibility (open admissions, and affordable tuition), and links to professional practice (with faculty composed primarily of practitioners volunteering their time and expertise, and a concurrent curriculum linking studio and academic work with learning in practice settings).  The BAC’s vision is to be the recognized leader in the education of design professionals, connecting theory and practice and engaging educators, practitioner, allied professions and the public, and re-affirms it’s Mission: The BAC is committed to provide excellence in design education grounded in practice and accessible to diverse communities.

The Boston Architectural College plans a fall season of celebratory events.