Beal University

Beal University, a private institution led by President Sheryl DeWalt, empowers its 429 students with a practical, career-focused education. Founded with the inspiring motto "Sed vitae discimus" ("We learn for life"), Beal has a rich history of adapting its offerings to meet the evolving demands of the professional world, establishing itself as a vital educational cornerstone in Maine.

The institution’s journey began humbly on October 23, 1891, as the Bangor Business School, initiated by Mary E. Beal and partners. Starting with fewer than 25 students, it experienced remarkable, rapid growth, exceeding 100 students within six months. This quick expansion necessitated additional space and signaled the immediate relevance of its early courses in banking, accounting, shorthand, and typing. Over the decades, the school transformed, bearing names like Miss Beal's School of Shorthand and Typing and Beal College of Business, consistently earning recognition as a leading educational provider in the state by 1928.

By its 50th anniversary, Beal Business College expanded its curriculum to include multiple two-year degree programs in business, administration, and secretarial studies. Its commitment to academic advancement was further solidified when it was authorized to offer an associate degree in science in 1968 and achieved accreditation as a junior college of business in 1970. Renamed Beal University in 2021, the institution continues its legacy of providing accessible, quality education that prepares students directly for their professional futures.