ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

George Washington was determined to have a great national university in the nation's capital. His hope was that students from all parts of the country would gain a first-hand knowledge of the practice as well as the theory of republican government while being instructed in the arts and sciences. He bequeathed 50 shares of The Potomac Company "towards the endowment of a University to be established within the limits of the District of Columbia, under the auspices of the General Government, if that government should incline to extend a fostering hand towards it." Despite Washington's intentions, The Potomac Company folded and Congress never extended a "fostering hand," so the University did not take shape until a group of Baptist clergymen led by Reverend Luther Rice took up the cause. They raised funds for the purchase of a site and petitioned Congress for a charter. Congress insisted on giving the institution a nonsectarian charter stating "That persons of every religious denomination shall be capable of being elected Trustees; nor shall any person, either as President, Professor, Tutor, 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."

Columbian College, as it was originally named, took up residence on College Hill, a 46-acre tract between the present 14th and 15th Streets extending from Florida Avenue to Columbia Road. The name of the institution was changed in 1873 to Columbian University and in 1904 to The George Washington University.

By 1918, the University had moved to the Foggy Bottom neighborhood-between 19th and 24th Streets, south of Pennsylvania Avenue-in the heart of Washington, D.C. The more than 100 buildings are situated on 43 acres bordered by the White House, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the State Department, and the World Bank, as well as numerous federal agencies, national galleries, and museums.

GW's Virginia Science and Technology Campus, initiated for graduate studies, research projects, and professional development programs, is located along the high-tech corridor on Route 7, just to the west of Route 28, in Loudoun County. In 1998, GW established The George Washington University at Mount Vernon College; the Mount Vernon Campus is on Foxhall Road in Northwest Washington.

Currently, the University's enrollments total more than 25,000, of which 10,200 are undergraduates, about 14,500 are graduate and professional students, and some 500 are nondegree students. The students come from all 50 states and about 125 different countries.

The George Washington University, an independent academic institution chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1821, dedicates itself to furthering human well-being. The University values a dynamic, student-focused community stimulated by cultural and intellectual diversity and built upon a foundation of integrity, creativity, and openness to the exploration of new ideas.

The George Washington University, centered in the national and international crossroads of Washington, D.C., commits itself to excellence in the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge.

To promote the process of lifelong learning from both global and integrative perspectives, the University provides a stimulating intellectual environment for its diverse students and faculty. By fostering excellence in teaching, the University offers outstanding learning experiences for full-time and part-time students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in Washington, D.C., the nation, and abroad. As a center for intellectual inquiry and research, the University emphasizes the linkage between basic and applied scholarship, insisting that the practical be grounded in knowledge and theory. The University acts as a catalyst for creativity in the arts, the sciences, and the professions by encouraging interaction among its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the communities it serves.

The George Washington University draws upon the rich array of resources from the National Capital Area to enhance its educational endeavors. In return, the University, through its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, contributes talent and knowledge to improve the quality of life in metropolitan Washington, D.C.

The George Washington University includes ten academic units, as follows:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Forensic Sciences, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Policy, Master of Science, Master of Philosophy, Master of Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Psychology.

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Master of Science in Health Sciences, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Medicine.

The Law School offers programs leading to the degrees of Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Doctor of Juridical Science.

The School of Engineering and Applied Science offers undergraduate programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. Graduate programs lead to the degrees of Master of Science, Engineer, Applied Scientist, and Doctor of Philosophy.

The Graduate School of Education and Human Development offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts in Education and Human Development, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Education Specialist, and Doctor of Education.

The School of Business offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Accountancy, Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Information Systems Technology, Master of Science in Project Management, Master of Tourism Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy.

The Elliott School of International Affairs offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of International Policy and Practice, and Master of International Studies.

The School of Public Health and Health Services offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Public Health, Master of Health Services Administration, and Doctor of Public Health.

The College of Professional Studies offers programs leading to the degrees of Associate in Professional Studies, Bachelor of Professional Studies, and Master of Professional Studies.

The School of Nursing offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.

In addition to these degree programs, The University is authorized by its Board of Trustees to award the Associate in Arts and the Associate in General Studies under particular circumstances.

Accreditation

The George Washington University is accredited by its regional accrediting agency, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The University is on the approved list of the American Association of University Women and is a member of the College Board.

The Law School is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools and is approved by the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association.

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has had continuous approval by its accrediting body, which is currently the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, sponsored jointly by the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. The clinical laboratory science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs has accredited the programs in sonography and physician assistant. The physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.

In the School of Nursing, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice are accredited by the Collegiate Commission on Nursing.

In the School of Public Health and Health Services, the public health programs have full accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health. The program in health services administration is accredited by the Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Administration. The program in athletic training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

In the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Bachelor of Science programs in civil, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. The Bachelor of Science computer science curriculum is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.

The Graduate School of Education and Human Development is a charter member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education for its eligible master's, specialist, and doctoral degree programs; the master's programs in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling and the doctoral program in counseling are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; the master's program in rehabilitation counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.

The School of Business is a member of AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; the Association accredits its undergraduate and graduate business administration and accountancy programs. The programs in accountancy satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant and the Certified Management Accountant professional examinations.

The Elliott School of International Affairs is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

In Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the B.F.A. and M.F.A. in interior design are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The Department of Chemistry is on the approved list of the American Chemical Society. The Department of Music is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology in the Department of Psychology and the Psy.D. program in the Center for Professional Psychology are on the approved list of the American Psychological Association. The M.A. program in speech-language pathology is accredited by the Education and Training Board of the Boards of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The M.P.A. and M.P.P. programs are on the approved list of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

The Board of Trustees of the University

The University is privately endowed and is governed by a Board of Trustees of which the President of the University is an ex officio member. Trustees who are GW alumni are indicated by an asterisk; a dagger indicates a graduate of Mount Vernon College before it became part of GW.

W. Russell Ramsey, Chairman

Nelson A. Carbonell, Jr., Vice Chair

I. Allan From, Secretary

*W. Scott Amey, President and CEO, Amyx, Inc.

Cynthia Baker, President, Access Washington

*Richard W. Blackburn, Retired Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, Duke Energy

Maria Matilde Pastoriza de Bonetti

*Christopher J. Bright, Historian

*Nelson A. Carbonell, Jr., President and CEO, Snowbird Capital

*George A. Coelho, Managing Director, Good Energies (UK)

Lee Fensterstock, Chairman and CEO, Fensterstock Associates

*Heather S. Foley

*I. Allan From, Shareholder, Howard, Stallings, From, & Hutson

*Diana Henriques, Senior Financial Writer, The New York Times

*Mark V. Hughes, Retired President, System and Network Solutions Group (SAIC)

*James F. Humphreys, President, James F. Humphreys & Associates

*David C. Karlgaard, Retired CEO and President, PEC Solutions

*Stuart S. Kassan, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado; Chief Medical Officer, Infusion Center of Denver

*Jay E. Katzen, Ophthalmologist

Bobbie Greene Kilberg, President, Northern Virginia Technology Council

*J. Richard Knop, Co-Founder and Co-Manager, Fed Cap Partners

Peter Kovler, Chairman of the Board, Blum-Kovler Foundation

*Gerald Lazarus, Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

*Randy L. Levine, President, New York Yankees, and Senior Counsel, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld

Ann Walker Marchant, CEO, Walker Marchant Group

*David A. Nadler, Vice Chairman, Marsh & McLennan Companies

*B.J. Penn, Former Acting Secretary of the Navy

*Robert G. Perry, Chairman and President, National Trust for the Humanities

*Linda D. Rabbitt, Chairman and CEO, Rand Construction Corporation

*W. Russell Ramsey, Chairman and CEO, Ramsey Asset Management

Steven Roberts, President and COO, The Roberts Companies

*Steven S. Ross, Senior Vice President, RBC Wealth Management

*Deborah Ratner Salzberg, President, Forest City Washington

*Mark R. Shenkman, President and Chief Investment Officer, Shenkman Capital Management

*David Bruce Smith, Editorial and Writing Consultant

*Robert K. Tanenbaum, Principal, Lerner Enterprises, and Principal Owner, Washington Nationals

Cynthia Steele Vance, Broadcast Journalist

Sunil Wadhwani, Chairman and Co-Founder, iGate Corporation

*Kerry Washington, Actress

*George W. Wellde, Jr., Former Vice Chairman, Securities Division, Goldman, Sachs

*Omar Woodard, Principal, Venture Philanthropy Partners

*Ellen M. Zane, President and CEO, Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children

*Emeritus Trustees

*Luther W. Brady, Drexel University

*Joseph L. Brand, Partner, Patton Boggs

*Nancy Broyhill, Associate Broker, Long & Foster Realtors

Mortimer M. Caplin, Senior Member, Caplin & Drysdale

*Oliver T. Carr, Jr., Chairman, Oliver Carr Company

A. James Clark, Chairman & CEO, Clark Enterprises, Inc.

*Sheldon S. Cohen, Farr, Miller & Washington

Myron P. Curzan, Chief Executive Officer, UniDev

*Emilio A. Fernandez, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wabtec Corporation

*Morton I. Funger, Partner, Condur Company

David Gladstone, Chairman, Gladstone Management Corporation

Gary Granoff, Granoff, Walker, and Forlenza

*Patricia D. Gurne, Partner, Gurne, Porter

*Howard P. Hoffman, CEO, Hoffman Associates

*Daniel K. Inouye, United States Senator

*Marvin L. Kay, Secretary/Treasurer, Richmarr Development Company

*Clifford M. Kendall, Retired Chairman, Computer Data Systems

Melvin R. Laird, Formerly U.S. Secretary of Defense; Senior Counselor, National and International Affairs, Reader's Digest Association

Eugene I. Lambert, Senior Counsel, Covington & Burling

*Theodore N. Lerner, President, Lerner Enterprises, and Principal Owner, Washington Nationals

*Thaddeus A. Lindner, Chairman, Colonial Parking

*Raymond J. Oglethorpe, President, Oglethorpe Holdings

John T. Sapienza, Retired Partner, Covington & Burling

*Robert L. Tull, Former Chairman of the Board, Security Storage Company

*J. McDonald Williams, Former Chairman, Trammell Crow Company

John D. Zeglis, Former Chairman and CEO, AT&T Wireless Group

Honorary Trustees

F. Elwood Davis, Attorney

Dorothy Shapiro, President, J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Trust

Officers of Administration

The University

Steven Knapp, President

Steven Lerman, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Forrest Maltzman, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Planning

Jeffrey Scott Akman, Vice Provost for Health Affairs

Stephen Ehrmann, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning

Carol Dianne Martin, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Terri Harris Reed, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion

Jack A. Siggens, University Librarian

Leo M. Chalupa, Vice President for Research

Louis H. Katz, Executive Vice President and Treasurer

Michael Morsberger, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Beth Nolan, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Lorraine Voles, Vice President for External Relations

Sabrina Ellis, Vice President for Human Resources

Aristide Collins, Vice President and Secretary of the University

Deans of the Schools

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences-Peg Barratt

School of Medicine and Health Sciences-Jeffrey Scott Akman (Interim)

Law School-Paul Schiff Berman

School of Engineering and Applied Science-David S. Dolling

Graduate School of Education and Human Development-Michael J. Feuer

School of Business-Doug Guthrie

Elliott School of International Affairs-Michael E. Brown

School of Public Health and Health Services-Lynn R. Goldman

College of Professional Studies-Ali Eskandarian

School of Nursing-Jean Johnson

The Faculty Senate

In addition to the elected members listed below, the president of the University is ex officio; the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, the University registrar, and the deans of the schools are administrative members; and a parliamentarian is selected by the Faculty Senate.

The Schools

Mission Statement