The Jamestown College of Business is pictured on Fairmount Avenue. On Thursday, the historic private university announced it would stop accepting new students and close by early 2025. PJ Photography: Eric Tichy
Jamestown had only been incorporated as a city for seven months when the Jamestown Business College was established in October 1886.
That fall, EJ Coburn near Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, opened the first of the colleges. At the time, its stated mission was “to provide, at a small cost, courses of study that will prepare young people for practical research in the shortest possible time.''
For 138 years, Jamestown College of Business has guided countless students to business-related careers, staying true to its founding purpose.
But citing its size and “expanding government regulations,” the university announced Thursday it would stop recruiting new students and cease operations after current students complete their courses.
“JBC has been part of our community and serving our students since 1886,” the university said in a statement posted on its website. “Over the years, countless students have earned degrees and gone on to successful futures. It would be hard to enter business in Jamestown, New York and not meet a JBC graduate. Most of them remain and work in their hometowns.”
Pictured is the old Gorky Building in Jamestown, which once housed the Jamestown College of Business. The building was destroyed by fire in March 1910. PJ file photo
Pamela Reese, vice president of the Jamestown College of Business, told the Post-Journal that the final group of students is scheduled to graduate in February 2025, adding that the college “will officially close some time later.” It will be done,” he said.
early roots
In its early days, JBC was located on the third floor of the first business block on the north side of East 3rd Street, according to Post-Journal records. The first class consisted of studying shorthand and typewriting.
In 1889, the university established its purpose to “operate a school or business college in the city of Jamestown, to teach bookkeeping, shorthand, typewriting, and other subjects, and to enable men to advance their human faculties.” It was incorporated by a group of “philanthropic citizens.'' Get practical business education for a small fee. ”
Members included Fred Hall, William Hallock, Edward Hall, William Proudfit, Elliott Hall, Robert Marvin, Edgar Putnam, William Warriner, John Aldrich, and Eleazer Greene.
At its inception, the university enrolled 125 students.
By 1892, operations had moved to the Gorky Building at Third and Cherry Streets. In an article celebrating JBC's 100th anniversary, a university catalog from the time states, “At night, 65 to 16 incandescent lamps with the output of candles illuminate the site of spiritual activities.''
During World War I, the university and its facilities were used by local residents and students alike.
A magazine article from October 1935 states: An equal number of typewriters were handed over to the service. ”
The university was then awarded the “Certificate of Patriotic Service”.
The Gorky Building and all of the university's facilities were destroyed in March 1910 in one of the city's most devastating fires. The fire, which continued to burn for several days, destroyed two of his downtown blocks.
JBC soon moved into a new, fireproof building on Cherry Street.
In the mid-1950s, the college moved to its current location on Fairmount Avenue.
“You'll be missed.”
News of JBC's pending closure came as a surprise on Thursday.
Comments on the Post-Journal article posted on Facebook included: “So sad!!” “This is a great school and teaches many good marketable skills. It will be missed”; “It will be a loss to our region”. “This is far more tragic than just sad. It has a devastating effect on the community. Every time a facility like this is lost, the town declines significantly. This is a huge loss to Jamestown. I think it's an SOS call.”
Last spring, the privately funded Medaille College in Buffalo announced it would close after plans to merge with Trocaire College fell through. After 148 years in business, Medaille closed in August 2023.
Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker said the district was “saddened to hear of the impending closure of Jamestown Business College.” He said the district and university have been partners for more than 100 years.
“Generations of Jamestown High School graduates have continued their education at JBC, and others have benefited from JBC’s presence through financial aid information sessions and field trips to campus.” Whittaker said. “We are grateful to have been able to leverage the university’s expertise locally and are committed to continuing these experiences for our secondary school students in the coming years.”
The university said in a statement on its website that it will continue to provide coursework and graduation requirements to all currently enrolled students.
“For the time being, JBC will continue to operate as usual,” the university said. “We look forward to continuing to celebrate the University’s remarkable history as we navigate this final chapter with our current students, alumni, and community.”
