George Washington University - Cherry Tree Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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It became evident that the property at Fifteenth and H Streets was too valuable a piece of land to be utilized economically for college purposes, and it was sold to S, W, Woodward for $450,000. The Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Mechanic Arts, and the Teachers College were removed to a row of six buildings on I Street between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets, occupied by ihe University, and the Division of Architecture was dropped, I he money from the sale of the University property was applied to the indebtedness of the institution with such results that the University was soon freed from debt and steps were taken to restore the endowment to its former figure. Under the wise and eco- nomical management of President Charles Herbert Stockton, Rear Admiral U. S. N., retired, the expenses of the University have been reduced to a minimum, and it is due to his efforts that the University is now on its feet. The University is now free from debt, and its income for the next five years has been fully assured. Formal notice was served on the first of February, 1912, by the Arlington Hotel Company that the I Street building would be torn down to make room for a larger hotel, and must be vacated by May first. Shortly afterward the University leased the former home of the St, Rose Industrial School at 2023 G Street, N, W. That the University is on the progressive path is evident from the steadily increasing registration and the interesting changes reported this year. Approximately 1,500 students are enrolled with a faculty of 200. The building on G Street is now adequately meeting the requirements of the Department of Arts and Sciences, 1 he mortgage debt upon this building is being gradually liquidated. An addition of a new and well-equipped laboratory to and the amalgamation of the Division of Architecture with the College of Engineering are vital factors in promoting the efficiency of this College, Increase in service rendered by the Hospital made it advisable to secure a Home for the Nurses, A suitable building was purchased for that purpose at I 3th and L Streets for the consideration of $8,000. Under the Department oT Arts and Sciences are now conducted, the Columbian College, the College of Engineering, the Teachers College, and courses leading to the Master’s Degrees, the Engineering Degrees and the Degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Doctor of Philosophy, The other departments comprising the University are the Law School, the Medical School, the Dental School, and the two associated colleges, the National College of Pharmacy and the College of Veterinary Medicine, The spirit which should permeate all college life has perhaps lacked expression at George Washington. An urban university rarely has the conditions favorable to the growth of academic traditions. These generally cluster around some particular building or spot on the campus, and are commemorated by observances which the privacy of the campus gives free opportunity for development. The college located in the city, and especially in the heart of the city, must be prepared to surrender many of its customs and traditions, from ihe very necessities of the situation. The freedom of a campus in the business section of a city is out of the question. So George Washington has from its situation lost much of its student life, and much of the tradition and custom that serves to commemorate the history of an institution. 20