Lemania College

Lemania College was founded by Dr. Paul Du Pasquier, who was born in Colombier in the Canton of Neuchâtel on August 5, 1879. It was his father's wish that he take over the family orchards, and consequently, the young man began his training for this. Unfortunately, however, he developed rheumatoid arthritis which effectively put an end to any future he might have had as a farmer. He changed course and completed the first part of his studies at Neuchâtel Gymnasium. He was five years older than his classmates. He excelled in his studies and finished a year ahead of time, having completed the final class in only a few months, while simultaneously preparing for the entrance examination to the Polytechnic of Zürich. As this type of examination could only be taken on fixed dates, he worked for a few months, waiting patiently until his classmates had caught up. He came first in that examination. He then had no trouble earning the title of Professor of Sciences, conferred by the Polytechnic after three years of study instead of four. He began his teaching career at "Ecole Minerva" on the shores of the river Limmat in Zürich, where he also prepared his thesis, obtaining his doctorate in 1908. Dr. Paul Du Pasquier was naturally curious, always hungry for learning and eager to share his knowledge with as many people as possible. He opened the school of his dreams on the 20 th of October, 1908, at 5 Avenue de la Harpe in Lausanne. Lemania College offered young people with a late calling to studies a concentrated study plan that would enable them to obtain the Maturité Suisse (the Swiss Federal University Entrance diploma - which had only recently been established) in less than the usual three years at college. The results of the first class spoke for themselves: 13 passes for 13 students. The school went on to forge a reputation for serious and efficient pedagogy, constantly expanding to eventually establish a campus on its present location on Chemin de Préville. In 1928, in response to new needs, Dr. Paul Du Pasquier increased the programs on offer at his school to include a Commercial section, the second in a long series of innovation that now includes the French Baccalaureate and the Secondary School (Swiss "Prégymnase" and "Supérieure" sections), the evening school and adult education. The student body continued to grow: 146 pupils in 1938, 269 in 1943, 475 in 1958 and more than 900 since 1983. To accommodate this rapid growth, the school inaugurated a second building at Easter in 1974. Dr. Paul Du Pasquier was always very efficiently assisted by his wife, who managed the running of the boarding house. In 1958, he passed the torch on to his two sons Jean and Eric, and they, with flexible and shrewd management, were careful to preserve the school's human and dynamic qualities. In 1986, Jean Du Pasquier's son, Jean-Pierre Du Pasquier, became President and Managing Director and took over full responsibility for the school. Lemania College, now counting over 3000 students, has since developed into one of the largest educational groups in Switzerland, consisting of twelve schools situated in Lausanne, Geneva, Sion, Sierre, and some of the major cities in the German speaking part of Switzerland,. It maintains its dynamic approach by offering a wide range of studies in various fields covering all levels of education from secondary, classical and commercial studies to management, tourism, secretarial, and university studies.