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1939-1945: War's Effects

1940 Notice to Evening Division Students.jpg

A notice announcing tuition refunds to students affected by the draft.

 

Despite remaining relatively well-attended through the worst of the Great Depression, the onset of World War II left the Bentley School, and many others, in a precarious position.

 

In less than a decade, enrollment went from an all-time high of 3,084 students in 1938-39, to just 1,055 in 1944-45. Students who enlisted or were drafted to the military sometimes re-enrolled at Bentley after their service. Others were killed in active duty or chose different paths when they returned home.