One of Boston, Massachusetts' leading private colleges, the Endicott College on Tremont Street has been a symbol of academic excellence since its inception in the year 1939. The college was established by George O. Bierkoe and his wife Eleanor Tupper who originally intended it to be a junior college for women. It was promoted to a degree college in the year 1944. Its campus sits on a beautiful landscape that spans 235 acres (95.10 hectares) and houses historic buildings like the Reynolds Hall, Diane M. Halle Library, Walter J. Manninen Center for the Arts.