George Washington University facts for kids
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Former names
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Columbian College (1821–1873) Columbian University (1873–1904) |
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| Motto | Latin: Deus Nobis Fiducia |
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Motto in English
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"God is Our Trust" |
| Type | Private federally chartered research university |
| Established | February 9, 1821 |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $2.8 billion (2024) |
| President | Ellen Granberg |
| Provost | Christopher Bracey |
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Academic staff
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2,663 |
| Students | 26,457 (2021) |
| Undergraduates | 11,502 (2021) |
| Postgraduates | 14,955 (2021) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
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| Campus | Large city, 43 acres (17 ha) |
| Newspaper | The GW Hatchet |
| Colors | Buff and blue |
| Nickname | Revolutionaries |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | George |
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The George Washington University (often called GW or GWU) is a private university in Washington, D.C.. It was started in 1821 by the United States Congress. This means it has a special connection to the U.S. government. GW was the first university in Washington, D.C. It is one of only six universities in the U.S. that were created by a special act of Congress.
GW is known for its high level of research. It offers many different study programs. About 11,500 undergraduate students and 15,000 graduate students attend GW. The university's sports teams are called the George Washington Revolutionaries. They play in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. GW also hosts many important political events. These include meetings for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Many important people have been involved with GW. These include Alexander Graham Bell and former presidents John Quincy Adams and Ulysses S. Grant. Many GW graduates have become leaders. These include 16 foreign heads of state, 28 U.S. senators, and 27 U.S. governors. Five Nobel Prize winners and two Academy Award winners also studied here. GW is a top school for people who want to work in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Contents
- History of George Washington University
- GW Campuses
- How GW is Organized
- Schools and Colleges at GW
- Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- School of Engineering and Applied Science
- Elliott School of International Affairs
- School of Nursing
- Law School
- Graduate School of Education and Human Development
- College of Professional Studies
- Milken Institute School of Public Health
- Schools and Colleges at GW
- Academics at GW
- Research at GW
- Student Life at GW
- Athletics at GW
- Notable People from GW
- Images for kids
History of George Washington University
How GW Was Founded
The first U.S. President, George Washington, really wanted a university in the nation's capital. He believed it would educate the best students from all over the country. He even left money in his will to help start it. After he died, Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison also supported this idea.
Finally, in 1821, a minister named Luther Rice helped raise money. Important people like James Monroe and John Quincy Adams contributed. On February 9, 1821, President Monroe approved the plan. This created Columbian College, which was open to everyone. People in Washington, D.C., saw this as making George Washington's dream come true. The first graduation in 1824 was a big event. President Monroe and other important leaders attended.
GW has some connections to the Freemasons. The Bible used when a new GW President takes their oath is George Washington's own Freemason Bible. You can also see Freemason symbols around the campus.
GW in the 1800s
During the 1800s, many students came from the Southern states. When the Civil War started, many left to fight. The college was even used as a military camp for the Union army for a while. After the war, in 1873, Columbian College changed its name to Columbian University. It also moved to a new location downtown.
GW in the 1900s
In 1904, Columbian University was renamed The George Washington University. This was done to honor George Washington. The university moved its main operations to the Foggy Bottom area of D.C. in 1912.
Many of GW's schools are very old. The law school is the oldest in Washington, D.C. The medical school is the 11th oldest in the country. The Columbian College, founded in 1821, is the university's oldest part.
In the 1930s, GW was a major center for studying theoretical physics. Important scientists like George Gamow worked on the Big Bang theory here. In 1939, a famous moment happened at GW. Scientist Niels Bohr announced that Otto Hahn had successfully split the atom.
During the Vietnam War, a student dorm called Thurston Hall was a meeting place. Students gathered there before going to anti-war protests. This building is only three blocks from the White House.
In 1996, GW bought the Mount Vernon College for Women. This became the coeducational Mount Vernon Campus. In 1999, GW hosted the first ever live webcast of a presidential town hall meeting with President Clinton.
GW in the 2000s
In recent years, GW has made some big changes. In 2020, the university started looking at changing the name of its sports teams. Some people felt the old name, "Colonials," was not appropriate. In 2022, the name was officially changed to "Revolutionaries."
Another building, the Marvin Center, was also looked at for a name change. It was named after a former president who supported segregation. In 2023, Ellen Granberg became the new president of the university.
GW Campuses
GW has three main campuses in the Washington, D.C. area. These are the Foggy Bottom Campus, the Mount Vernon Campus, and the Virginia Science and Technology Campus. Most of the classes and academic programs are at the Foggy Bottom Campus. There are dorms on both the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses.
The GW library system has several libraries. These include the Gelman Library, the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, and the Burns Law Library. GW libraries also share resources with other university libraries in the Washington area.
Foggy Bottom Campus
The main GW campus is about 43 acres in Foggy Bottom. It is just a few blocks from the White House, the World Bank, and the National Mall. GW owns much of the land in Foggy Bottom. It rents out some buildings to places like the World Bank. Other important places nearby include the U.S. State Department and the Kennedy Center.
The University Yard is the main open space and historic center of the university. The Gelman Library is also a key part of the main campus. This seven-story building has over two million books. It is open almost all the time for students and staff. The library also has special collections and the National Security Archives. The National Security Archives collects and shares declassified U.S. government files.
Near the library is the Lisner Auditorium. A large open area between them is called Kogan Plaza. The Foggy Bottom–GW Metro station is very close to campus. It gives students easy access to the city's subway system. The University Hospital is also right next to the Metro station.
The Foggy Bottom campus has most of GW's student dorms. Some well-known ones include Thurston Hall, Shenkman Hall, and District House. District House is one of the newest dorms, opened in 2016.
In 2014, GW took over the Corcoran Gallery of Art. This was the oldest private art museum in Washington, D.C. It became The Corcoran School of the Arts and Design within GW. In 2015, The Textile Museum also reopened at GW after joining the university.
Mount Vernon Campus
In 1996, GW bought the Mount Vernon College for Women. This campus is in the Palisades neighborhood. It first served only women but became co-educational in 1999. GW bought it to get more space, especially for sports teams.
Now, the Mount Vernon Campus is fully part of GW. It works with the Foggy Bottom campus. There are buses that connect students between the two campuses. This campus has Eckles Library, dorms, a gym, and athletic fields.
Virginia Campus
GW also has a research and graduate campus in Ashburn, Virginia. This campus was started in 1991. It has grown to over 100 acres. Besides graduate studies, it offers undergraduate programs in Health Science and Cybersecurity.
The university also has other smaller education centers. These are in Alexandria, Arlington, and Newport News, Virginia. The Virginia Science and Technology Campus focuses on research. It also offers more than 20 graduate degrees. This campus is home to the world's first walkable solar-power sidewalk. It was finished in 2014.
How GW is Organized
George Washington University is run by its Board of Trustees and the university president. The president is Ellen Granberg. GW has over 6,000 faculty members and staff. Important people like Ulysses S. Grant and John Quincy Adams have served on GW's Board of Trustees.
Schools and Colleges at GW
GW has fourteen different schools and colleges. Each one has its own leader and structure. The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences was the first part of the university. The Medical School was the first medical school in Washington, D.C. The Law School was also the first law school in the city. Each school has its own special focus.
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) is the oldest and largest college at GW. It started in 1821. This college offers many different majors and courses. It was one of the first American schools to offer a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) and the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration (SPPPA) are part of this college.
Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration
The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration is a graduate school within CCAS. It is known as one of the top public affairs schools in the U.S. It offers degrees in Public Policy and Public Administration. The school works with other GW schools to offer many study options.
School of Media and Public Affairs
The School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) is also part of CCAS. It offers degrees in Journalism, Mass Communication, and Political Communication. SMPA was the first school in the nation to offer a bachelor's degree in Political Communication. Its teachers include CNN reporters and political experts.
Corcoran School of the Arts and Design
The Corcoran School of the Arts and Design is one of the oldest art schools in the U.S. It is now part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. It is located in the historic Corcoran Gallery of Art building. This building faces the White House.
School of Business
The George Washington School of Business started in 1928. It received a large gift to help it begin. Today, it has modern buildings like Ric and Dawn Duquès Hall. GW's undergraduate business program is ranked highly in the U.S. Its International Business program is especially well-known.
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
The School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) opened in 1824. It was the first medical school in Washington, D.C.
In 1981, the George Washington University Hospital became famous. President Ronald Reagan was taken there after an assassination attempt. The emergency room was later named the Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicine. Other important people, like former Vice President Dick Cheney, have also received care at GW Hospital.
School of Engineering and Applied Science
The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) started in 1884. It was one of the first engineering schools to accept women. The bazooka was invented at SEAS in 1942. In 2015, the school moved into a new building called the Science and Engineering Hall.
Elliott School of International Affairs
The Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA) was founded in 1898. In 2003, Colin Powell opened a new building for the school. It is located near the Department of State. The Elliott School is ranked among the best in the world for international affairs programs.
School of Nursing
Nursing education at GW has a long history, over 100 years. The GW School of Nursing was officially re-established in 2010. It is now GW's tenth academic school. It offers different nursing degrees, including a bachelor's and master's.
Law School
The George Washington University Law School started in 1826. It is the oldest law school in Washington, D.C. Many U.S. Supreme Court Justices have taught there. Current Justices like John Roberts and Sonia Sotomayor have visited the school. The law school is located on the east side of University Yard.
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
Teaching education has been offered at GW since 1904. The Graduate School of Education and Human Development officially began in 1909. In 1994, the school started focusing mainly on graduate-level education.
College of Professional Studies
The George Washington University College of Professional Studies (CPS) offers courses on both the Foggy Bottom and Virginia campuses. The The Graduate School of Political Management is part of this college.
Graduate School of Political Management
The The Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) is part of the College of Professional Studies. GSPM offers graduate degrees in areas like legislative affairs and political management.
Milken Institute School of Public Health
The Milken Institute School of Public Health was established in 1997. It was renamed in 2014. Over 900 students from many countries study public health here. The school offers various degrees, including a Master of Public Health (MPH). It also has special programs, like one where students can be Peace Corps volunteers while studying.
Academics at GW
GW is the biggest university in Washington, D.C. About 10,000 undergraduate students and 14,000 graduate students attend. They come from all 50 U.S. states and over 120 countries. Many students also study abroad in other countries. Since 2015, GW no longer requires SAT or ACT test scores for most applicants. This helps more students apply.
GW requires undergraduate students to live on campus for their first two years. The university offers a lot of financial aid to students.
Student Enrollment at GW
In the 2013–2014 school year, many students were enrolled in different GW schools. The largest group was in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Students come from all over the U.S., with many from New York, California, and New Jersey.
GW also has many international students. In 2013–2014, students from over 130 countries were at GW. The most students came from China, South Korea, and India.
University Rankings
GW is often ranked among the top universities. Times Higher Education ranked GW among the "Top Universities for Producing Billionaires." Forbes also ranks GW highly among research universities and private colleges.
The Princeton Review often puts GW in its Top 10 lists for things like:
- Most Politically Active
- Dorms Like Palaces
- Great College Towns
- Best College Newspaper
- Most Popular Study Abroad Program
GW was once removed from some rankings because of a mistake in reporting student data. But it was put back on the lists a year later.
GW is also ranked highly for its specific programs. U.S. News & World Report ranks GW's international business program as one of the best in the world. The Elliott School of International Affairs is also ranked very highly for international relations. The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration is a top public affairs school. The GW Law School is ranked highly for its international law and intellectual property programs.
Research at GW
George Washington University is the largest research university in Washington, D.C.. In 2018, GW spent $260 million on research. This made it one of the top research universities in the nation. In 2023, GW was invited to join the Association of American Universities. This group includes top research universities.
Research Centers and Institutes
GW has many research centers and institutes. These places focus on different areas of study. Some examples include:
- Centers
- Sigur Center for Asian Studies
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology
- GW Cancer Center
- National Crash Analysis Center
- Biostatistics Center
- Institutes
- Institute for International Economic Policy
- Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication
- Institute for Security and Conflict Studies
- George Washington Institute for Neuroscience
- GW Cancer Institute
- Space Policy Institute
Student Life at GW
GW is in downtown Washington, D.C. This means students are close to many cultural events and embassies. Students at GW are known for being very interested in politics.
GW has a Division I athletics program. This includes sports like men's baseball, basketball, soccer, and women's lacrosse. The teams play in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Indoor sports are played at the Smith Center. Outdoor events are at the Mount Vernon campus. The university's colors are buff and blue. These colors come from George Washington's uniform during the Revolutionary War.
Student Organizations
There are over 500 student organizations at GW. The George Washington University Student Association (SA) helps run most of them. The SA is set up like the U.S. government, with different branches.
The GW College Democrats and GW College Republicans are very active. They often host famous politicians and speakers. The International Affairs Society (IAS) runs the university's Model United Nations team. They also host conferences for high school and middle school students.
GW also has many a cappella singing groups. These groups often record albums and travel. They also hold concerts to raise money for charity.
Another student group is the Emergency Medical Response Group (EMeRG). This group provides free ambulance service to the campus and local community 24/7. They also help at big events in D.C. like marathons.
Greek Life
GW has a large Greek community, with over 3,000 students involved. This is about 27% of the undergraduate students. There are many different fraternities and sororities. Some are social, while others focus on professional or community service.
Campus Media
There are several news sources on campus. The GW Hatchet is an independent student newspaper. WRGW is the student-run radio station. GW Today is the university's official news source. Students also publish The International Affairs Review, a journal.
WRGW Radio
WRGW is GW's student radio station. It broadcasts live online every day during the school year. The studio is in the University Student Center. The station started in 1958.
Environmental Sustainability
George Washington University is known for being environmentally friendly. It was ranked highly on The Sierra Club's "Cool Schools List." Many GW buildings are designed to be energy efficient. They have features like green roofs and rainwater collection systems.
Religious Organizations
GW has groups that support different religious communities on campus. The Newman Center supports Catholic students. GW Hillel is one of the largest Jewish student organizations in the U.S.
Athletics at GW
George Washington University is part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Most of its sports teams play at the NCAA Division I level. The university's colors, buff and blue, come from George Washington's uniform.
Basketball
GW's men's basketball team has had some great seasons. In 1993, they reached the NCAA Sweet 16. In 2004, they won the BB&T Classic by beating two highly ranked teams. The team also won the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2005 and 2007. In 2006, the team reached its highest ranking in 50 years, at No. 6 in the nation.
In 2016, the Colonials won the 2016 National Invitation Tournament. This was their first national title in a postseason tournament. Several GW players have gone on to play in the NBA. These include Yinka Dare and Yuta Watanabe.
Baseball
The GW baseball team started in 1891. It is also part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The team plays its home games at Barcroft Park in Arlington, Virginia.
Football
GW used to have a college football team from 1881 to 1966. The program was stopped because the university wanted to focus on other sports. One GW alumnus, Alphonse Leemans, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Spirit Programs
The GW Spirit Program includes a Cheer Team, the First Ladies Dance team, and the university mascot. The mascot's name is George. He is dressed like General Washington. In 2012, George won first place at a national mascot competition. The official fight song is "Hail to the Buff and Blue." Bells on Corcoran Hall play it twice a day.
Club Sports
GW also has many club sports. These are not varsity sports, but they compete against other colleges. Examples include ice hockey, rugby, soccer, and ultimate frisbee.
Notable People from GW
Famous Alumni
- Notable George Washington University alumni include:
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William Greenleaf Eliot, founder of Washington University in St. Louis; Columbian College, 1831
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Hsu Mo, founding judge of the International Court of Justice; Law School
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Belva Ann Lockwood, first woman to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court; Law School
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Syngman Rhee, first president of South Korea; Columbian College, '07
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J. Edgar Hoover, first FBI Director; Law School, '16
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Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States; Columbian College '51
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John Foster Dulles, 52nd U.S. Secretary of State; Law School
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George W. Romney, former American Motors president and governor; Columbian College
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L. Ron Hubbard, Church of Scientology founder; Columbian College
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J. William Fulbright, U.S. Senator and founder of the Fulbright Program; Law School, '34
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Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts; Columbian College
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James E. Webb, 2nd Administrator of NASA; Law School
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Kun-Hee Lee, Chairman of Samsung; School of Business, '66
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William Barr, former U.S. Attorney General; Law School
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Harry Reid, U.S. Senate Majority Leader; Law School
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Colin Powell, 65th U.S. Secretary of State; School of Business, '71
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Mark Esper, 27th U.S. Secretary of Defense; Trachtenberg School, '08
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Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Senator from Illinois; Elliott School, '92
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Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia; Columbian College, '77
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John Shalikashvili, 13th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Elliott School, '70
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Michael Coats, astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, '77
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Glenn Greenwald, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist; Columbian College, '90
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Chuck Todd, television journalist; School of Media and Public Affairs
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Bob Woodward, Pulitzer Prize-winning editor for the Washington Post
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Kerry Washington, actress; Columbian College, '98
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Alec Baldwin, actor; Corcoran School
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Jared Leto, actor; Corcoran School
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David Lynch, filmmaker and artist; Corcoran School, '64
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Many GW alumni have become important political figures in the U.S. and other countries. Sixteen GW alumni have been heads of state or government in other nations. Many have also served in the U.S. Cabinet. GW has many alumni who have served in the U.S. Congress. These include former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
In business, GW alumni include Lee Kun-hee, who was the Chairman of Samsung. Also, Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, and Kathy J. Warden, CEO of Northrop Grumman. Famous company founders like Elaine Wynn (Wynn Resorts) and Tom Cortese (Peloton) also studied at GW.
In science, GW alumni include Julius Axelrod, a Nobel Prize winner in medicine. Ralph Asher Alpher, a physicist who helped develop the Big Bang theory, also studied here. Seven NASA astronauts are GW alumni.
In arts and entertainment, GW alumni include William Peter Blatty, who wrote The Exorcist. Emmy-winning actors Alec Baldwin and Kerry Washington also attended GW. Filmmaker David Lynch and Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto studied at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. Famous journalists like Glenn Greenwald and Chuck Todd are also GW alumni.
In sports, GW alumni include Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who won many NBA championships. NBA players like Yinka Dare and Yuta Watanabe also played at GW. Several alumni have owned major sports teams.
Famous Faculty
- Notable George Washington University faculty include:
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Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice; faculty member
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Edward Teller, nuclear physicist known as "the father of the hydrogen bomb"; faculty member
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Robert Cutler Hinckley, American portraitist; faculty member
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José Andrés, famous chef; faculty member
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George Gamow, physicist known for Big Bang Theory; faculty member
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David J. Brewer, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice; faculty member
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William J. Crowe, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman; faculty member
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Willis Van Devanter, former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice; faculty member
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Al Gore, former U.S. vice president; faculty member
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John Marshall Harlan, former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice; faculty member
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Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice; faculty member
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Ferid Murad, Nobel Prize winner; faculty member
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Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Islamic Philosopher; faculty member
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Marcus Raskin, political theorist; faculty member
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William Strong, former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice; faculty member
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Herman Aguinis; business professor and author; faculty member
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Jonathan Turley, U.S. Constitution law scholar; faculty member
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Vincent du Vigneaud, Biochemist and Nobel Prize winner; Faculty Member
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Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary; faculty member
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Tom Perez, former U.S. Secretary of Labor; faculty member
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Amy Coney Barrett, U.S. Supreme Court Justice; faculty member
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Walter Reed, U.S. Army Physician and pioneer in medicine; faculty member
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Many important people have also taught at GW. These include two current Supreme Court Justices, Clarence Thomas and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Scientists like George Gamow (Big Bang theory) and Edward Teller (hydrogen bomb) were also faculty members. Nobel Prize winners Vincent du Vigneaud and Ferid Murad taught at GW.
Other notable faculty include former Vice President Al Gore and former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino. Edward P. Jones, who won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction, also taught at GW.
Images for kids
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A conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and Stephen Colbert held at GW's Lisner Auditorium in 2014.
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"Trump's First Year," a 2017 School of Media and Public Affairs event with White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and chief correspondents.
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Hillary Clinton presenting a health care plan at GW Hospital.
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- Campuses of George Washington University
- GW-TV
- Hail to the Buff and Blue
- National Security Archive
- The GW Hatchet
- WRGW
