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

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i9sw.y2i It has twice been on the verge of collapse. The greatest contributors to the college were John Withers, John Quincy Adams, William W. Corcoran, General Maxwell Van Zandt Woodhull, and A. Lisner. The Medical Department was orginated in 1825, and is the seventeenth medical school in seniority at this time in the United States. The Law Department was or- ganized the following y ear, but was discontinued in 1827 and not re-organized until 1865. The Dental School was organized in 1887, but discontinued in 1920 for finan- cial reasons arising out of the increasing requirements for dental education. 1 he Cor- coran Scientific School, established in I 884, the School of Graduate Studies, established in 1893, the Teachers’ College, established in 1907, and the College of Engineering, established in 1906, all form a part of the Department of Arts and Sciences. In 1872 the University moved to the corner of 15th and H Streets and remained upon that site until 1902, when the buildings were completely outgrown and the prop- erty had increased loo greatly in value longer to be occupied for university work. I he Van Ness property was purchased for a permanent site, but later sold at a large ad- vance to the Bureau of American Republics. The state of the University at this time was critical and there was grave question whether it would not have to close its doors entirely. Fortunately, the wisest possible guide was found in this emergency in Rear Admiral Charles H. Stockton, who had re- tired from the Navy. He accepted the presidency of the University and served in that capacity for nine years, the first three without salary. He placed the University, prob- ably for the first time in its history, in a perfectly sound financial position and so left it when he retired from the presidency two years ago. Proposed Buildings in Van Ness Park 22 mg jtD f ' mi ii-.yv : : ••.V 3 ■ ' ' ' 3 V 11 W- V ■ J| ■m. xfm m I If m

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mt M W m m y Mfc ' H MtSfy m IP •.vf .- ' ife,- 1p Mf- ’ v v $ I t® f§- . ' ■ ' •i ' - ' v. W. $)k ffe P i 9 s,ui.y 21 dent of the Board, and it was resolved that the college should be divided into two departments, the Classical and the Theological. Dr. Staugh- ton, a native of England and an eminent pul- pit orator, was elected President of the insti- tution. The original site of the institution was gen- erally known as College Hill, which extended west of what is now Fourteenth Street, and north of Florida Avenue. The college opened with thirty-nine students in 1821, whereas the first commencement was on December 15, 1824. Its first graduates with the degree of A. B. were Alexander Ewell and Albert Fairfax, of Vir- ginia, and James D. Knowles, of Rhode Island. The commencement was graced by the presence of President Monroe, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, Speaker of House of Representatives Henry Clay, and the distinguished French visitor Marquis de LaFayette. During the early period conditions of living were very different from those at pres- ent, for in I 824 it is stated, in a pamphlet issued by the college, that tuition, board, fuel and light, bed and bedding, room rent, steward s salary, servants, shoe blacking, etc., would not ordinarily exceed $200.00 a year — and that $10 would, in the opinion of the trustees, be quite as much as ought, in any case, be allowed a student for pocket money. For a number of years the regulations of the college provided that — “No student is allowed to attend the theatre or any such place or to visit any barroom or similar estab- lishment or to visit any hotel but for special and adequate reasons.” The first five Presidents of the University were Doctors of Divinity of the Bap- tist Church, William Staughton (1821-1827), Stephen Chapin (1828-1841), Joel S. Bacon ( I 843-1 854), Joseph G. Binney (1855-1858), George W. Samson (1859-1871). The next three Presi- dents were also Baptists, although not ministers. Dr. James C. Welling served from 1871 to 1894, Dr. Beniah L. Whitman from 1895 to 1900, and Dr. Charles W. Needham from 1902 to 1910. It may be of interest to note that Chapin Street above Florida Avenue is named in honor of our second President. There has never been a time in the history of the University when it has been sufficiently supported financially. J •s. Old Athletic Field and Club House in Van Ness Park First Medical Building 21 fi tJtjT-, ' m - g iv 1 V -V.v . • 5 ,

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19GW1 21 Now when a new era is opening for the Uni- versity after one hundred years of trials, struggles, successes and accomplishments, we feel that there is before us the greatest of futures. We are happy in the belief that the next years of the University are to be marked by that same spirit of perseverance and achievement, which in the past has helped to make this institution one of prominence. Our greatest desire is that our bi-centennial may have seen as many steps of advancement as the first one hundred years, and so enthusiastic is the spirit for progressiveness and for betterment, not only among the faculty, but among the whole student body, that it is certain that our desire will be fulfilled. Law School Building About 1903 Old Building at I 3th and H Streets 23