Follett has assumed management of the campus bookstore at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. Wendy Woodward, chief information & campus services officer, said the college's "self-operated bookstore struggled to break even financially, and lost money in recent years." The decision to go with Follet came after the administration designated a Bookstore Contract Committee consisting of multiple offices on campus, including Student Government, to brainstorm solutions. The committee focused on evaluating ways to make the bookstore cost-effective and "revenue positive."
Alma Wilhelm, Follett managing director for the Wheaton bookstore, said, "Beyond course materials, Follett will refresh general merchandise offerings to be a one-stop shop for class and campus life essentials. Wheaton College bookstore customers can expect a custom merchandise assortment that reflects local interests, as well as national trends in supplies, technology, clothing, gifts and more."
The student-run Wheaton Record noted that Follett and Wheaton "have a long history." In the 1860s, avid reader and former army chaplain Charles Barnes followed his mentor, Wheaton College President Jonathan Blanchard, to Illinois. Barnes used his personal library as the seed inventory to open a bookstore catering to Wheaton students.
Barnes eventually moved to Chicago and expanded the bookstore. One of his stock clerks was C.W. Follett, who would eventually become a company executive. Follett purchased the business after Barnes's death and renamed it Wilcox & Follett Company. Barnes's son went on to launch his own bookselling business with G. Clifford Noble. Their partnership resulted in the formation of Barnes & Noble.