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On the 25th of July, 1871, the Legislative Assembly of the District of Columbia
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
amended by law the Charter of the Columbian College so that the Board of Trustees became a self-perpetuating body.
On the 10th of August, 1871, Professor Welling accepted the Presidency of the Columbian College, and on the 7th of October, 1872, recommended imme- diate measures for raising a permanent endowment fund of $250,000. Mr. W. W. Corcoran, President of the Board of Trustees, proposed to give the Trinidad Estate of 152 acres immediately adjoining the city of Washington as his contribution to the permanent endowment of the College. This, when sold, became the nucleus of what is known as the Corcoran Endowment Fund. Mr. Corcoran with Mr. John Withers of Alexandria, remain today as the only large benefactors of Columbian College and University. On the 27th of January, 1873, the Trustees were authorized by the Corporation to sell the property on College Hill and to locate all of the departments of the College in the heart of Washington. On the March following the name of the institution was changed by Act of Congress to the Columbian University. At that time the College and University consisted of the
College proper with an enrollment of 40
Law School with an enrollment of. 103
Medical School with an enrollment of. 48
And a Preparatory School with an enrollment of. 75
Making a total of the College and allied schools of 266 students.
In 1884 the new building erected at 15th and H Streets, N. W., being com- pleted, the University in its departments of the College proper, the Law and Scientific Schools, took possession of this structure. The Chemical Laboratories were added from time to time and formed an extensive lateral annex on the south line of the lot, being separated from the main building by a heavy brick wall.
On June 7, 1882, a new preparatory school building was authorized and subsequently erected on H Street between 13th and 14th Streets and is now a part of the University Hospital, the preparatory school having been discon- tinued as a part of the University in 1897, there being no necessity for its continuance as a part of the College and University system in the face of the excellent High Schools of the District.
The grounds on College Hill, the original site of the College, extended along 14th Street from Florida Avenue to Columbia Road. Sales of this property had been made in three periods. The south sixteen acres were sold in sub- divided building lots beginning about 1868. Total receipts were about $65,000. The north sixteen acres were sold in 1882 for $50,000. The remainder was sold in 1883 for $87,500. Details concerning this are given in the Treasurer's report for 1886.
On October 1, 1884, the Corcoran Scientific School was established and inaugurated.
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On March 15, 1885, the Admiral Powell Scholarships for those desiring entry into the Navy or the Mercantile Marine were established on the founda- tion of a bequest made to the University by Admiral Levin M. Powell, of the United States Navy.
On June 15, 1885, Mr. Wm. W. Corcoran gave to the University a lot of ground in the rear of the Medical College building with a view to the eventual extension of that building. The Medical School was and still is situated on H Street between 13th and 14th Streets. In October, 1887, the Dental School was established in connection with the Medical College, and housed in the same building.
February 24, 1888, Mr. Wm. W. Corcoran, the President of the Corporation since 1869, died. He was during that period a constant benefactor to the College and University and it is hoped that his name will be permanently linked with the University, not only by a restoration of the Corcoran Endowment Fund to its full value, but by naming some dignified structure in the future after this generous benefactor, friend and official of the institution.
Although the University from its institution until 1904 had been more or less under the control of the Baptist denomination, and the President of the Insti- tution was a member of that denomination, it received but a poor and vacillating support financially from that denomination. After the separation of the Baptists into Northern and Southern bodies, it suffered accordingly in its contributions. Its greatest contributor was a member of the Episcopal Church-Mr. W. W. Corcoran-and it drifted away so much from the Baptist denomination that in December 27, 1888, it was determined by President Welling to bring the University to the attention of a newly formed Baptist Education Society. On May 18, 1889, a committee of the Board of Managers of that Society made a report to the Board which on October 2, 1889, adopted the report and in it states that "the effort of the Trustees and Overseers of the University to secure an adequate endowment of the institution should be and is commended to the favorable consideration of the denomination."
The effect of this appeal and commendation does not seem to have been of much consequence for the University which went on in its usual way. In 1893 the School of Graduate Studies was organized under the charge of Dean Munroe, who was also Professor of Chemistry of the University and who remains in both capacities at the present day.
President Welling resigned from the Presidency of the Columbian University June 18, 1894, and died shortly afterwards. His career was the most successful one up to that time and extended for a period of twenty-three years, the longest term held by any president of the College or University since its institution. The first endowment of the University was made in response to his efforts. The University grew from a college to a university in fact during his long term and he left behind him the memory of an agreeable and accomplished scholar, a public spirited resident of Washington, whose life has been identified with
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the city with much distinction not only in social life but also in his civic and national services.
The Rev. Dr. S. H. Greene of Calvary Baptist Church, of the city acted as President from the departure of Dr. Welling, until the Rev. B. L. Whitman, D. D., was elected to succeed Dr. Welling, July 1, 1895. Dr. Whitman had been previously the President of Colby University in the state of Maine. He was a man of fine presence and an eloquent preacher of the Baptist denomina- tion and not unnaturally after a short term returned to parochial life.
In 1898 the Law School building was erected adjacent to the College building at 15th and H Streets, N. W. The same year Congress amended the charter by an Act which required that two-thirds of the Trustees of the University and the President of the University shall be members of regular Baptist churches. The overseers were abolished and the Trustees were divided into three classes of seven each.
Dr. Whitman resigned on January 19, 1900, to take effect April 1, 1900. From that date until June 18, 1902, Dr. S. H. Greene again acted as President of the University. On the latter date Dr. C. W. Needham, a layman, a member of the District bar, who had been Dean of the Law School was elected President of the University.
In 1904, Congress passed an Act restoring the non-denominational character of the institution, and permitting a change in its name. In 1902 the New Medical School building had been finished and a very considerable addition made to its hospital. The same year the Columbian College, the Corcoran Scientific School, and the School of Graduate Studies were merged into one Department of Arts and Sciences. In 1903 conferences were held between the representatives of the Washington Memorial Institution, the George Wash- ington Memorial Association, which had been incorporated in 1898, and of the Columbian University with a view to combine and form a Memorial Insti- tution and Hall bearing the name of George Washington for graduate work and research and for cooperation in such work. For some time the name Columbian had been confused with that of Columbia College and University in New York, making such a change desirable for that among other reasons.
On September 1, 1904, a proposition of the George Washington Memorial Association that Columbian University change its name to that of the George Washington University was accepted by the Board of Trustees. As previously mentioned on January 23, this year, Congress passed an act making the University non-sectarian and giving the Board of Trustees power to change its name. A proposition from the George Washington Memorial Association had been made about that time to erect the Memorial Building at a cost of $500,000 to be used for graduate study and scientific research.
About this time, however, Mr. Andrew Carnegie established an Institute for Scientific Research, to be placed in Washington, D. C., with a munificent endowment, and covering the field of research proposed by the Memorial
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Association. This caused the abandonment of the project for the erection of the George Washington Memorial Hall, which had, however, advanced so far as the adoption of plans for this and other University buildings, prepared by Messrs. George B. Post & Sons, architects, of New York City.
The first convocation of the newly named George Washington University took place on February 22, 1905. In 1905 an Act of Congress was passed allowing the incorporation of colleges with financial autonomy to be affiliated with the University. Under this act the National College of Pharmacy and the College of Veterinary Medicine were subsequently organized and affiliated. In 1907, the College of Political Sciences was formed as a separate school in the University, and during the same year the Division of Education was also formed. At a later period the College of Political Sciences was amalgamated with the College of Arts and Sciences under the revived name of Columbian College, while the Division of Education became the Teachers College of the present day.
In 1910 and 1911 the Board of Trustees of the University drew up regula- tions providing for the representation of the alumni on the Board of Trustees by six of the alumni of the University, holders of any degree, honorary or in course, of not less than ten years standing, the voters being holders of any degree of not less than three years standing. These regulations have gone into effect and six out of the twenty-one members of the Board of Trustees are composed of elected representatives of the alumni of the University.
The division of Architecture now existing in the College of Engineering, takes the place of the College of Architecture formerly existing as a part of the University. It has always secured the interest of the local architects and has received at times generous aid from them.
The original charter of the Columbian College provided that the records of the proceedings, finances, etc. of the College should be open to the inspection or examination of the Attorney-General of the United States. On April 25, 1910, the House of Representatives requested such examination by the Office of the Attorney-General. On June 2, 1910, the Attorney-General made a pre- liminary report upon the financial affairs of the University and found that the expenses of the University had exceeded its income which resulted in the impairment of some of the endowment funds of the University and a very considerable indebtedness. A final report was made upon this subject by the Department of Justice on December 6, 1910.
On August 31, 1910, Dr. Charles W. Needham resigned as President of the University. Admiral Charles H. Stockton, LL.D., U.S.N. retired, was elected as Acting President from the Board of Trustees on August 31, 1910, and elected President of the University on November 30, 1910. In the meantime a re-organization of the University and reduction of the expenditures was effected which was followed by a sale of the property at 15th and H Streets, N. W. The Law School was moved to the Masonic Temple building at 13th
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
and H Streets being placed in the upper stories of that edifice. The remaining College departments of Arts and Sciences except that of Chemistry, were moved to a series of buildings on I Street between 16th Street and Vermont Avenue. The Medical and Dental Schools with the Department of Chemistry remained established in the University building on H Street between 13th and 14th Streets, N. W. The Associated Schools remained in the buildings pre- viously occupied by them.
In 1912 the Departments in the I Street buildings were removed to their present quarters on G Street between 20th and 21st Streets, which were at first rented but the following year were purchased by the University. Since then an Engineering Laboratory has been erected in the rear of the building just mentioned and other property in the vicinity acquired or rented. Two buildings at 13th and L Streets have been also acquired by the University for a Nurses Home through the efforts of the Board of Lady Managers of the University Hospital.
A provision was made in 1910 for the impairments of the endowment funds which had occurred at various times from the earliest days of Columbian College until 1910 by a deed of trust upon the most valuable property of the University, on H Street, N. W., upon which the Medical and Dental Schools and the University Hospital are now placed.
The financial condition of the University is now good, there being a small but effective endowment fund, considerable property on G Street and elsewhere, besides the H Street property and Law, Medical and Arts and Sciences libraries amounting to over 48,000 volumes, an excellent teaching plant and enrollment during 1915-16 of 1,973 students in all of the Departments. This is the greatest enrollment in the history of the University.
This enrollment is divided among the various schools of the University as follows :
Graduate School
115
Columbian College 699
Engineering 231
Teachers College 152
Law 424
Medicine
149
Dentistry
126
Pharmacy
48
Veterinary
65
2,009
Less duplicates
36
1,973
Of this number about seventy-five per cent. attend at the late hours after
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5 P. M. and 449 of the total are women. Since its founding in 1821 the University has conferred 8,734 degrees upon 7,120 persons.
CO-EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT.
In 1881 when the question of a re-organization and expansion of the Uni- versity came under discussion it was suggested by the Committee appointed for that purpose, that women should be admitted to all schools and departments of the University on the recommendation of a majority of the Faculties in each school and subject to the approval of the Corporation.
In 1884 after prolonged consideration, a bare majority of the Faculty of the Medical School favored the admission of women to the Medical School and the first woman graduate received a diploma in March, 1887.
In 1884, when the Corcoran Scientific School was opened, women were admitted to it.
In 1888 one woman was admitted to Columbian College under special regu- lations, and in 1889 women were admitted under the same regulations as men.
In the Medical School and Law School the admissions of women had a varying history, but at present all schools and departments of the University are open to women, and as a matter of fact there are women in all departments except the Veterinary College. There are no more loyal graduates of the College and University than these women.
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS.
The Medical School of the University was established as previously men- tioned in 1825. Chronologically it is in order of establishment the seventeenth medical school in the United States. For many years the school was known as the National Medical College, subsequently as the Department of Medicine of the Columbian University. It now bears the official title of The Medical School of the George Washington University.
When it was first established and for many years afterwards, the Medical School, like most others in the United States, gave only a two years' course of five months each. In 1878 the course was lengthened by the establishment of a Spring Session devoted to lectures in certain special subjects. In 1879 the course was lengthened to seven months and attendance upon three annual sessions was required, and in 1893 attendance upon four annual sessions was required from all candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In order to increase the facilities for actual bedside teaching the University Hospital and the University Dispensary were established in 1898 and made a part of the Medical School. In 1902 the old Medical School building in use since 1897 gave way to the present large and well-arranged structure.
The Medical School has been for several years a member of the Association
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of American Medical Colleges and it is one of the schools contained in Class A of that Association. The degree of M. D. given by the University is recog- nized by every Medical Examining Board in the United States as evidence of adequate medical education and it is accredited for all of the work by the combined (Royal) Medical Examining Boards in England. At least one year at college is required for admission. The Medical School is the only one of the departments of the University which requires so many hours of attendance as to bar admission to employees of the general government. With its adjoining hospital and dispensary it is in excellent condition.
The Law School of the University was first organized as previously men- tioned in 1826, but was discontinued a year later. In 1865 it was re-established and has been in continuous session since that time. It is the oldest law school in the District of Columbia. It began with a two years' course and with only two instructors, one for the senior class and one for the junior class. During the earlier period its classes met for one hour session on three evenings of the week. At present the course for the degree of Bachelor of Laws requires three years of attendance averaging twelve hours of class work per week and the classes meet both in the forenoon and in the late afternoon. Its faculty has grown from two to fifteen, six of whom devote their entire time to its work.
In 1900 the Law School became one of the charter members of the Asso- ciation of American Law Schools and it has remained a member of the Asso- ciation since that time. About forty per cent. of the regular students in the Law School have graduated from college before taking their law course. Its graduates may be found in every state of the Union occupying positions of trust and honor on the bench, at the bar, in business and in the administration of the affairs of the State and Nation. In numbers it is the second school in the University and it has always borne a high reputation among the law schools of the country.
The Dental School .- The first course of lectures in the Dental School began November, 1887, under the title of The Columbian University Dental Depart- ment. The course then extended over two years of five months each. Two years later the course was extended to seven months; but this additional time being found inadequate to keep pace with the ever increasing demand for higher dental education, the course was gradually increased, until now it extends over three years of eight months each.
The College of Engineering and the Teachers College as well as the School of Graduate Studies are parts of the Department of Arts and Sciences and their curriculum has much in common with Columbian College so that they have in part only a distinct entity. Their significance is shown largely by their titles. Allied to this Department of Arts and Sciences but in an unofficial capacity is the Society of Columbian Women, who have by their exertions pro- vided scholarships for the use of young women of merit unable to secure collegiate education.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
ASSOCIATED COLLEGES.
These are institutions in the District of Columbia organized as corporations under the revised Charter of the University, having separate financial founda- tions but educationally forming a part of the system of the George Washington University.
The National College of Pharmacy, which is the outgrowth of the Columbian Pharmaceutical Association, organized in April, 1871, was chartered under the provisions of an Act of Congress in 1872, and opened its doors to students November 11, of that year. In February, 1906, it became a member of the educational system of the George Washington University, under the charter of the University granted by Congress March 2, 1905, providing for the organi- zation of colleges. The President of the University is ex-officio president of the National College of Pharmacy and the College is represented in the Presi- dent's Council by a Dean. The College building is centrally located on I Street, N. W., between 8th and 9th Streets.
In 1908 the College of Veterinary Medicine was organized and became an Associated College of the University with a financial autonomy and Board of Trustees of its own. Very considerable instruction is given to the students of this College in the Medical School and the Department of Chemistry of the University. Graduates from this school are eligible for examination to the army as veterinarians and for entry into the Department of Agriculture in its relation to domestic animals. After an examination and the regular course they receive the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
The city of Washington has become more and more an educational center and a desirable place for research and residence, and the instruction late in the day specially given by this University affords opportunities for employees in the Government service and elsewhere to acquire both collegiate and pro- fessional education. The George Washington University with its many and varied activities is now performing a most useful function in the city and nation and is ready for the desired and natural expansion in plant and teach- ing which should soon come by the aid of its alumni, from the public spirited members of the community and from the friends of education everywhere.
ABBREVIATIONS.
A. A .- Athletic Association.
abd .- abdominal. Acad .-- Academy. Acct .- acountant. act .- acting. adi .- adjunct. Adv .- advertising. advance .- advancement. Advoc .-- advocate.
agr .- agriculture.
Agt., agt .- agent.
Am .- America, American.
anat .- anatomy.
Arch .- architect, architecture. Assemb .- Assembly.
Assn .- association,
assoc .- associate, associated.
asst .-- assistant. Astro .- Astronomy.
asyl .- asylum. athl .- athletic.
attg .- attending. Aud .- auditor.
hact .- bacteriology, bacteriologist. Bapt .- Baptist.
Bd .- Board.
Bell -Bellevue.
hiol .- biologist, biology.
BkIn .-- Brooklyn. Bldr .- builder.
Blvd .- Boulevard.
bot .- botany.
Br .- Branch.
Bur .- Bureau. bus .- business. capt .- captain. cert .- certificate.
Ch .- church.
Chapl .- chaplain.
chapt .- chapter.
chem .- chemistry, chemical. Chem .- chemist. chrmn .- chairman.
class .- classica].
Clerg .- clergyman. climatol .- climatological. clin .- clinic, clinical. Co .- County, Company. Col .- Columbian. Coll., coll .- college. Colleg., colleg .- collegiate. comm .- committee.
commenc .- commencement. Commis .~ Commission. commr .- commissioner. compar .- comparative.
Conf .- Confederate, Conference. Cong .- Congregational, Congress. const .- constitution, constitutional. constr .- construction. consult .- consulting. contag .- contagious. contr .- contractor. conv .- convention. Corp .- corporation. Corr .- Correction. corres .- correspondent, corresponding couns .~ counsellor.
d .-- died. D. C .- District of Columbia. del .- delegate. dem .- demonstrator. dep .- deputy. dept .- department.
dermatol .- dermatology. descript .- descriptive. diag .- diagnosis. dip .- diploma. dir .- director.
dis .- disease, diseases.
Disp., disp .- dispensary. dissert .- dissertation. Dist .- District. div .- division.
do .- ditto. Dom .- Dominion. Ecl .- Eclectic. Econ .- Econom, Economic, Econo- mies. ed .- editor.
Educ .- educator, education, educa- tional. electrol .- electrology.
emer .- emeritus.
emerg .- emergency.
empl .- employed.
Engr., engr .- engineer, engineering.
Engl .- English.
Epil .- Epileptics.
evang .- evangelist.
exam .- examination, examining, ex- aminer.
exec .- executive.
fac .- faculty.
Fcd .- Federal, Federation.
Frat .- Fraternity. fresh .- freshman.
genl .- general.
G. W. U .- George Washington Uni- versity. Geol .- geologist.
Gov .- Governor.
Govt .- Government.
grad .- graduate, graduation.
Gym .- Gymnasium.
gyn .- gynaecology, gynaecologist.
H. S .- high school.
hist .- history, historical.
histol .- histology. Homeo .- Homeopathy, Homeopathic.
hon .- honorary. Hosp .- Hospital.
hyg .- hygiene, hygienic. I. C. A. A. A. A .- Inter-Collegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America.
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