Goucher College facts for kids
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Former name
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Women's College of Baltimore (1885–1910) |
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| Motto |
Gratia et Veritas (Latin)
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Motto in English
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Grace and Truth |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | 1885 |
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Academic affiliation
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NAICU CIC AG |
| Endowment | $243.3 million (2023) |
| President | Kent Devereaux |
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Academic staff
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203 |
| Undergraduates | 1,100 |
| Postgraduates | 900 |
| Location |
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Maryland
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United States
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| Campus | Suburban, 287 acres (116 ha) |
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
| Nickname | Gophers |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division III – Landmark Conference |
| Mascot | Rowdy |
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Goucher College
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The Haebler Memorial Chapel is a place for all faiths at the center of Goucher's campus.
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, Maryland |
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| Area | 287 acres (116 ha) |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | Moore & Hutchins; Sasaki, Hideo, et al. |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000885 |
| Added to NRHP | August 28, 2007 |
Goucher College (pronounced GOW-cher) is a private liberal arts college in Towson, Maryland. It was started in 1885 as a college for women in the city of Baltimore. The school is named after John F. Goucher, a pastor who helped start the college.
In 1953, the college moved to its current campus in Towson. For a long time, only women could attend Goucher. In 1986, the college became coeducational, which means it began accepting men as students.
Goucher is famous for being one of the first colleges in the U.S. to require every student to study in another country. Students can spend a whole semester abroad or take a shorter three-week trip with their professors. The school is also known for being one of the Colleges That Change Lives.
Today, about 1,100 undergraduate students and 900 graduate students attend Goucher. The school's sports teams are called the Gophers, and their mascot is a gopher named Rowdy.
History
Goucher College has a long history of helping women get a college education. In its early days, many important female doctors and scientists graduated from the school.
How the College Began
In 1881, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore wanted to start a school. At first, they planned to open a seminary, which is a school for training religious leaders. But two ministers, John B. Van Meter and John Franklin Goucher, convinced them to create a college for women instead.
The Women's College of Baltimore City officially opened in 1888. Its first graduating class in 1892 had only five students.
John F. Goucher, who the school was later named after, became the college's second president in 1890. He and his wife gave a lot of money to help the school grow. In 1910, the school was renamed Goucher College to honor him.
Moving to a New Campus
By the 1920s, the college needed more space. In 1921, Goucher bought 421 acres of land in the nearby town of Towson. The college slowly moved all its buildings and classes to the new, larger campus. The move was finally finished in 1953.
The old campus in Baltimore is now a historic area called Old Goucher. The buildings are still there and are used for apartments and businesses.
In 1986, Goucher decided to start admitting men. This was a big change for the school, which had been a women's college for about 100 years. The decision helped the college grow, and more students began to enroll.
Campus
Goucher has a beautiful, green campus with 287 acres of land. It is filled with trees and has many hiking and jogging trails. Some trails are also used by students who ride horses at the college's equestrian center.
Newsweek magazine once called the campus "unusually bucolic," which means it is very peaceful and country-like.
Academic Buildings
Most of the classrooms and academic buildings are in an area called the "academic quad." The Hoffberger Science Building is home to the science departments. Next to it is the Meyerhoff Arts Building, which has a theater, a photo studio, and art galleries.
The Athenaeum, or "the Ath," is a large, modern building in the center of campus. It has the main library, a restaurant, classrooms, and a big open space for events and guest speakers.
Student Housing
Students live in residence halls on the south side of campus. In 2018, the college opened the "First-year Village," a group of new dorms just for freshmen. Students can live in single rooms, doubles, or suites with friends.
Sports Facilities
The campus has many places for sports. There is a large turf field called Gopher Stadium, several practice fields, and a track. The college also has twelve tennis courts, courts for racquetball and squash, and an equestrian center for horseback riding.
The Decker Sports and Recreation Center has a swimming pool, a basketball court, a gym, and a fitness center.
Academics
Goucher is known for providing a strong education in the liberal arts and sciences. This means students learn about many different subjects.
Rankings and Reputation
| USNWR Liberal Arts College | 126 |
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| Washington Monthly Liberal Arts | 58 |
| Forbes | 410 |
Goucher is often listed as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. For 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked it 7th in the nation for its study abroad programs and 10th for being one of the "Most Innovative Schools."
The school is also famous for being one of the first to require all students to study abroad. This unique requirement helps students experience different cultures and see the world.
Getting into Goucher
Goucher's admission process is considered "selective." In 2014, the college made news when it began allowing students to apply with a two-minute video instead of sending in their transcripts or test scores. This gives students a creative way to show who they are.
What Can You Study?
Students at Goucher can choose from 31 majors and 39 minors. A major is the main subject a student focuses on, while a minor is a secondary focus. Popular majors include biology, creative writing, dance, and subjects in the humanities like history and English.
Classes at Goucher are small, with an average of 16 students. This allows students to get to know their professors and classmates well.
Studying in Another Country
Every Goucher student must have an international experience before they graduate. Many students choose to go on a three-week trip led by a professor during the winter or summer. Others spend a full semester or year studying at a partner university in one of 30 different countries.
Graduate Programs
Goucher also offers graduate programs for students who have already finished their bachelor's degree. Students can earn a master's degree in subjects like historic preservation and art. The college also has a well-known pre-medical program that helps students prepare for medical school.
Student Life
Life at Goucher is full of activities, clubs, and traditions.
Clubs and Activities
There are over 60 student-run clubs on campus. Some popular clubs include an a cappella singing group, a poetry club, and a Model United Nations team. The college also has a student newspaper called The Quindecim and an online radio station.
One of Goucher's most famous traditions is the campus-wide game of Humans vs. Zombies, which was invented by Goucher students.
Sports Teams
Goucher's sports teams, the Gophers, compete in the NCAA's Division III. The college has teams for men and women in sports like lacrosse, soccer, basketball, and tennis.
Goucher also has a nationally ranked equestrian team. Students on the team compete in horse shows against other colleges.
Who Goes to Goucher?
Students at Goucher come from all over the United States and the world. In 2017, students came from 46 states and 50 different countries. About 37% of students identify as African-American, Asian, Hispanic, or Native-American.
Famous Graduates and Teachers
Many Goucher graduates have become successful in science, business, government, and the arts.
- Sarah T. Hughes was a judge who famously gave the presidential oath of office to Lyndon B. Johnson.
- Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre was the daughter of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and a leader in the movement for women's right to vote.
- Mildred Dunnock was an actress who was nominated for two Academy Awards.
- Lydia Villa-Komaroff is a biologist who has done important research on cells.
- Jonah Goldberg is a well-known author and political writer.
- Johnny Olszewski is the 14th County Executive for Baltimore County, where Goucher is located.
- Nathan Chen is a figure skater who has won two Olympic gold medals.
See also
In Spanish: Goucher College para niños
