History

In 1905 Brandrup and Nettleton Business College opened a branch in Winona.  In 1910 that school purchased the rival Toland School of Business and changed the school name to Winona School of Business.  However, it should be noted that R. V. Lambert, later associated with the Toland school, operated a business college in Winona as early as 1879.   Initially Winona Business College, operating with a small faculty, offered a basic curriculum consisting of typing, shorthand, office practice, bookkeeping, penmanship, business law, commercial arithmetic, business English, spelling, letter writing, and spelling.  Later the school was able to add a normal course to train business teachers, civil service training, and courses in banking, auditing, and sales. 

 

W.B.C. required an eighth-grader education for admission.  Like many business schools, it utilized a 50-week calendar and also offered night classes. Also like many of the better business schools, it guaranteed employment for qualified graduates.

 

In addition to the sports teams, W.B.C. sponsored a small school orchestra, which sometimes played at school dances.  Since the college had a close relationship with both the Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A., two school clubs—the Business College Club (for men) and the Busi-Coeds Club were organized through their cooperation.

 

School-sponsored banquets, parties, and dances were frequent. Each school year began with a  “Get Acquainted” party.  Halloween saw a masquerade party and dance; Christmas was celebrated with a Yule Program of music and readings.  The major social even was the annual alumni banquet and ball, featuring a Grand March.  Home basketball games were often followed by dancing parties.