ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY 

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY
1821—1827 William Staughton
1828—1841 Stephen Chapin
1843—1854 Joel Smith Bacon
1855—1858 Joseph Getchell Binney
1859—1871 George Whitefield Samson
1871—1894 James Clarke Welling
1894—1895 Samuel Harrison Greene, Acting
1895—1900 Benaiah L. Whitman
1900—1902 Samuel Harrison Greene, Acting
1902—1910 Charles Willis Needham
1910—1918 Charles Herbert Stockton
1918—1921 William Miller Collier
1921—1923 Howard L. Hodgkins, ad interim
1923—1927 William Mather Lewis
1927—1959 Cloyd Heck Marvin
1959—1961 Oswald Symister Colclough, Acting
1961—1964 Thomas Henry Carroll
1964—1965 Oswald Symister Colclough, Acting
1965—1988 Lloyd Hartman Elliott
1988—2007 Stephen Joel Trachtenberg
2007— Steven Knapp

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 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 10,300 are undergraduates, about 14,000 are graduate and professional students, and some 800 are nondegree students. The students come from all 50 states and about 125 different countries.

Mission Statement

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 Schools

The George Washington University includes nine 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, 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, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Health Sciences, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, 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, Specialist in 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.

In addition to these degree programs, The University is authorized by its Board of Trustees to award 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 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 State Education Agency—Board of Education of the District of Columbia 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. with a major in interior design is accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research. 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. program is 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
Lydia W. Thomas, Vice Chair
Nelson A. Carbonell, Jr., Vice Chair
Patricia D. Gurne, Secretary
I. Allan From, Assistant Secretary

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
*Emilio A. Fernandez, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wabtec Corporation
*Morton I. Funger, Partner, Condur Company
Estelle Gelman, President, Gelman Companies
David Gladstone, Chairman, Gladstone Management Corporation
*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
*Charles T. Manatt, Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
W. Jarvis Moody, Former Chairman and CEO, American Security Bank
*Abe Pollin, Chairman of the Board, Washington Sports & Entertainment
John T. Sapienza, Retired Partner, Covington & Burling
Robert H. Smith, Chairman, Charles E. Smith Residential
*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
Barbara Porter, Secretary of the University
Donald Richard Lehman, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Leo M. Chalupa, Vice President for Research
Carol Kimball Sigelman, Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Academic Affairs
D. Jeffrey Lenn, Associate Vice President for Academic Operations
Donna Scarboro, Associate Vice President for International Programs
Craig William Linebaugh, Chief Academic Operating Officer/Virginia Campus
Jack A. Siggins, University Librarian
Louis H. Katz, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
Ronald C. Bonig, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Donald W. Lindsey, Chief Investment Officer
Donald A. Boselovic, Associate Vice President for Budget
David D. Lawlor, Associate Vice President for Finance
Pamela Goodnow, Comptroller
Edwin C. Schonfeld, Associate Vice President for Financial Management, Schools and Divisions
Juan Ibanez, Associate Vice President for Facilities
Alicia M. O’Neil, Associate Vice President for Real Estate
Robert A. Chernak, Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services
Linda Donnels, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Frederic A. Siegel, Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshmen
Johnnie T. Osborne, Associate Vice President and CFO for Student and Academic Support Services
John Franklin Williams, Jr., Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs
Gerald H. Bass, Senior Associate Vice President for Health Economics
Frank J. Cilluffo, Associate Vice President for Homeland Security
Melanie F. Gehen, Associate Vice President for Health Economics
Anne Hirshfield, Associate Vice President for Health Research, Compliance, and Technology Transfer
Astra Bain-Dowell, Associate Vice President for Resource Management, Operations, and Emergency Preparedness
Brian McGrath, Associate Vice President for Faculty and Educational Resources
Laurel Price Jones, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Eugene J. Finn, Senior Associate Vice President, Campaign Operations
Jane B. Kolson, Associate Vice President, University Programs
Margaret Shepard, Associate Vice President, School Programs
Noel Salinger, Associate Vice President, Medical Center
John W. Kudless, Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts
Jerome T. Posatko, Associate Vice President, Operations
Adrienne A. Rulnick, Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations
Beth Nolan, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Charles K. Barber, Deputy General Counsel
Lorraine Voles, Vice President for External Relations
Val Monroe Berry, Vice President for Human Resources
Maria Alam, Associate Vice President for Human Resources

The Schools

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences—Dean Peg Barratt; Senior Associate Dean Roy James Guenther; Associate Deans Paul Brooks Duff, Randall Kent Packer, Geralyn M. Schulz, Tara Ghoshal Wallace; Assistant Deans Katherine Z. Keller, Daniel A. Cronin

School of Medicine and Health Sciences—Dean James Lee Scott; Senior Associate Deans Jean E. Johnson, W. Scott Schroth; Associate Deans Nancy D. Gaba, Rhonda M. Goldberg, Mark Batshaw, Sylvia Silver, Keith Holtermann, Linda Werling

Law School—Dean Frederick M. Lawrence; Senior Associate Deans Gregory Eaton Maggs, Thomas A. Morrison; Associate Deans Alfreda Robinson, Renee Y. DeVigne, Scott B. Pagel, Susan Karamanian, Anne M. Richard, Phyllis Goldfarb, Lee Paddock, Paul Butler, John M. Whealan, Charlotte Wise

School of Engineering and Applied Science—Dean David S. Dolling; Associate Dean Martha Pardavi-Horvath

Graduate School of Education and Human Development—Dean Mary Hatwood Futrell; Associate Deans Janet Craig Heddesheimer, Robert Nicholas Ianacone, Joel Gomez (Interim)

School of Business—Dean Susan Phillips; Senior Associate Dean Prabir K. Bagchi; Associate Deans Mehmet Murat Tarimcilar, Lawrence G. Singleton, Krishna R. Kumar

Elliott School of International Affairs—Dean Michael E. Brown; Associate Deans Hugh Lecaine Agnew, David Alan Grier, Douglas Shaw; Assistant Dean Lisa Stephenson

School of Public Health and Health Services—Interim Dean Josef J. Reum; Associate Deans Rebecca Tyrrell Parkin, Katherine Louise Hunting, Blaine Parrish (Acting)

College of Professional Studies—Dean Kathleen M. Burke; Senior Associate Dean Ali Eskandarian; Associate Deans F. Christopher Arterton, Charles Cushman; Assistant Dean Constance A. Mokey

The Faculty Senate

In addition to the elected members listed below, the president of the University is ex officio; the 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. In general, only primary appointments are listed below.

Arthur Edward Wilmarth, Jr., Professor of Law and Chair of the Executive Committee
John Martin Artz, Associate Professor of Information Systems and Technology Management
William H. Becker,Professor of History
Lisa M. Benton-Short, Associate Professor of Geography
Brian L. Biles, Professor of Health Policy
Michael Scott Castleberry, Professor of Special Education
Joseph John Cordes, Professor of Economics and International Affairs
Michael D. Corry, Associate Professor of Educational Technology
David P. Costanza, Associate Professor of Psychology and Organizational Sciences
Ernest J. Englander, Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy
Miriam Galston, Associate Professor of Law
Charles Alexander Garris, Professor of Engineering
William Byron Griffith, Elton Professor of Philosophy
Robert Joseph Harrington, Professor of Engineering and Applied Science
Hermann Josef Helgert, Professor of Engineering and Applied Science
Peter Hotez, Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine
Diana Entwisle Johnson,Associate Professor of Biology
Diana Leigh Lipscomb, Professor of Biology
Sylvia A. Marotta, Professor of Counseling
Barbara Diane Miller, Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs
Scott B. Pagel, Professor of Law
Donald O. Parsons, Professor of Economics
Margaret Plack, Assistant Professor of Health Care Sciences
Lilien Filipovitch Robinson, Professor of Art
Robert Warren Rycroft, Professor of International Science and Technology Policy
Gary Leonard Simon, Professor of Medicine
Richard Windsor, Professor of Prevention and Community Health
Philip William Wirtz, Professor of Decision Sciences and of Psychology