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

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G. W U. THE 1916 CHERRY TREE G. W, U was so rapid, however, tha t within the next five years the law, medical, philosophical and preparatory departments were opened The College con- tinned to grow until by 1824 there were one hundred and fifty students on its rolls, attracted to the young institution from twenty -one of the twenty- four states which then composed the Union, On December 15, 1824, the first commencement was held . In the presence of President Monroe, General Lafayette, the Secretaries of State. War and Navy, and the leading members of Congress, three men were graduated. To Mr. Luther Rice Columbian College during the early years owed its life and prosperity. Up to the time of his death in 1836 he had secured for the institution subscriptions amounting to almost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This money was collected from every state in the Union, and no small portion of it was received from abroad. Somewhat later Columbian College found another staunch friend in the person of Mr. John Withers, of Virginia, who contributed liberally to its support from time to time, giving in alt some seventy thousand dollars. In the first administration of President Jackson Congress appropriated lots worth twenty-five thousand dollars to Columbian College, and a similar amount to Georgetown. This is the only assistance the institution has ever received at the hands of the Na- tional Government. The effects of the Civil War were keenly felt by educational institutions in the South. In Columbian College classes were practically suspended. A large number of the students entered the ranks of the Federal armies, and a larger number — Southern Baptists — casting their lot with their respective states, served in the armies of the Confederacy. The college buildings were for the time turned into government hospitals. At the close of the great struggle a few students returned to their studies and Columbian College once more took up the task of educating the American youth. A deep debt of gratitude is owed to Mr. W, W. Corcoran, who at this period in the develop- ment of Columbian College contributed large sums to the work of the insti- tution. An act of Congress in 1872 changed the name of Columbian College to the Columbian University, and made the Board of Trustees self-perpetuating. The work of transforming the institution from a suburban to a city college was begun in 1879. The Trustees had reached the conclusion that, in order to hold the student body. Columbian must remove to a central location in the city. So the sale of College Hill property was undertaken. The site of the old Arlington Hotel was presented to the LTniversity bv Mr. Corcoran. The property, however was considered too small, and Mr. Corcoran was induced to allow the sale of his gift and investment of the proceeds in cheaper lands. Accordingly the Harris property at the corner of Fifteenth and H Streets, where a clubhouse had previously stood, was purchased. In 1883 the erection of a building, considered at that time to be one of the most up-to-date college buildings in the United States was begun. Removal to this new location in the heart of the city was completed in 1884. In the beginning the Fifteenth Street building housed not only the classical and law departments, but also the Corcoran Scientific School which had recently been founded. Growth of the law department necessitated increased accommodations so that in 1898 a new building was erected on H Street in which the departments of law and diplomacy were accommodated. By permission of Congress and with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior Columbian College changed its name in 1904 to “George Washington University. 11 14

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G. W. U. THE 1916 CHERRY TREE G. W. U. THE UNIVERSITY George Washington University as an institution of learning has a record of which any institution might be proud, and with which it is the privilege as wel] as the duty of every student to famil iarize himself. Academic traditions are not readily fostered by city universities, for such traditions are, as a rule, associated with old buildings on the campus and are regularly commemorated by various, for which the tolerant atmosphere of a college town and the privacy of a campus are essential. The urban college must, therefore, be- cause of the necessities of the situation, be prepared to sacrifice much in the way of custom and tradition. For metropolitan police do not look kindly upon the “concrete expressions of college spirit and undergraduate animation ' So George Washington like other institutions similarly situated, has been de- prived of many customs and traditions that in other conditions commemorate the history of a college, A national university to be located at the National Capital is an idea as old as the republic itself. In his will George Washington bequeathed a large sum of money to be used in founding such an institution, and in his plan of the Capital City on the Potomac he pictures a great university, the center of a broad scheme of national education. The first plan for an educational sys- tem in the District of Columbia — drawn up by Thomas Jefferson — provided three branches, or stages of education: primary schools, academies and a university. Congress, however, doubting its authority under the Federal Constitution to establish such a university, took no action, so that today George Washington ' s bequest is still unfulfilled. The movement which resulted in the founding of what is now George Washington University began in 1819, Mr, Luther Rice, a minister of the Baptist church r realizing the opportunities offered by a college located at the seat of the Federal Government, set about collecting the Hinds for a college. Subscriptions were received from all classes of people in all parts of the United States. In 1821, through the influence of President Monroe. Congress granted a charter for the establishment of the Columbian College in the District of Columbia for the “sole and exclusive purpose of educating youth in the Eng- lish, learned and foreign languages, the liberal arts, sciences and literature, Power was given the new institution to confer all the degrees usually conferred by institutions of collegiate standing. The liberal principles upon which Columbia College was founded are indicated by a clause in the original charter providing that “persons of all religious denominations shall be capable of being elected trustees, nor shall any person, either as president, professor, tutor t or pupil, be refused admittance into said college or denied any of the privileges, immunities, or advantages thereof, for or on account of his sentiments in matters of religion 1 In 1822 — thanks to Mr, Rice ' s ability as a college financier — land was purchased in what is now known as Columbia Heights and a college building was erected. To the funds which made this first little College building possible many prominent people, in England as well as America, had contributed. Among them were John Quincy Adams, William F. Crawford, John C, Cal- houn, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Bishop of Durham, Lord Ash- burton, Sir Janies Mackintosh, members of both branches of the national legislature, and many other distinguished people. The College was formally opened on January 9. 1822, with the Rev. William as president. The departments of theology and classical studies were opened at this time, and there were thirty-nine students in attendance. Growth 13

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G. W. U. THE 1916 CHERRY TREE G. W. U. A few years later it became evident that the property at Fifteenth and H Streets was too valuable to be used to advantage for educational purposes, so the site and buildings were sold to Mr. W. S, Woodward for the sum of $450,000. The departments of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Mechanic Arts, and the Teachers College were removed to a block of buildings on the south side of I Street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets. The School of Architecture ceased for the time being to exist as a department of the Uni- versity although arrangements were made whereby students in architecture could continue their work in the city and receive credit toward their degrees. About this time the administration of George Washington ' s affairs was placed in the hands of President Charles Herbert Stockton. Rear Admiral U. S. N., retired. Under the able and farsighted management of Admiral Stockton the money received from the sale of the Fifteenth Street and other University properties was applied to the reduction of existing indebtedness : operation of the University was placed on a scientific basis, and up-to-date methods introduced in every department. As a result of this policy the institution is now on its feet financially, operating expenses are being met from operating income, and the endowments are being gradually restored to their former condition. In February 1912 the Arlington Hotel Company served notice that the I Street buildings would shortly be demolished to make room for a new hotel and must, therefore, be vacated by the first of May of that year. At once negotiations were undertaken looking toward the acquisition of the building at 2023 G Street, northwest, formerly occupied by the St. Rose Industrial School, These negotiations resulted satisfactorily for the University, During the Easter vacation, which was extended one week to allow sufficient time for the removal, the executive offices. Engineering departments and the Columbian College were transferred to the new location, and on April 15, 1912 classes were resumed in the new quarters. This building has been remodeled to meet the University ' s needs, and from time to time additional property has been pur- chased until now George Washington occupies four buildings in G Street in addition to the Medical School, With a steadily growing student body and a sound financial policy George Washington ' s future seems to be assured. This year’s registration has al- ready reached something over eighteen hundred students: when registration for the second semester has closed, the University will undoubtedly have two thousand students. This increased attendance brings with it new problems. Educational standards are being raised, changing economic conditions demand technical training along new lines, and the Government service makes de- mands iipon the institution. Being situated at the Nation ' s Capital George Washington is peculiarly fitted to prepare men for special branches of work, as for instance, the Consular Service. It is a sound college policy to develop and strengthen all courses of study contributory in so important a way to the public service of the Government, to professional studies in law. and to higher and more intelligent conceptions of citizenship. George Washington is in spirit and in fact a national university — although since 1873 no financial assistance from a national source has been received, The educational facilities of Washington are especially adapted to the needs of higher education. In addition to the University libraries there is the Library of Congress, the best library in the United States, and special collec- tions in the various scientific departments of the Government, all of which by a special act of Congress have been made accessible to students.