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Reed College

Type	Private liberal arts college
Established	1908; 117 years ago (1908)
Endowment	$726 million (2022)
President	Audrey Bilger
Academic staff	164
Students	1,534 (Fall 2022)
Undergraduates	1,523 (Fall 2022)
Postgraduates	11 (Fall 2022)
Location	Portland , Oregon , United States 45°29′N 122°38′W / 45.48°N 122.63°W / 45.48; -122.63
Campus	Suburban, 116 acres (470,000 m²)
Colors	Reed Red
Affiliations	Annapolis Group Oberlin Group CLAC NAICU
Mascot	Griffin

Reed College is a private college in Portland, Oregon, USA. It focuses on liberal arts, which means students study a wide range of subjects. The college was started in 1908.

Reed College has a beautiful campus with buildings that look like old castles. It even has a forest-like area called a canyon in the middle. Students at Reed must take a special first-year class called Humanities 110. They also have to write a big research paper, called a senior thesis, to graduate.

Reed is known for its strong focus on learning. It doesn't emphasize grades as much as other schools. Many Reed graduates go on to earn advanced degrees like doctorates (Ph.D.s). Reed has produced many successful scholars and leaders. For example, 32 of its graduates have won the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

History of Reed College

Reed College's Eliot Hall on a snowy day

Reed College was officially founded in 1908. The first classes were held in 1911. The college is named after Simeon Gannett Reed and Amanda Reed. They were important pioneers in Oregon.

A minister named Thomas Lamb Eliot helped convince Simeon Reed to create a lasting legacy. William Mead Ladd, whose family owned the land, donated 40 acres for the new college. The first president, William Trufant Foster, wanted a college that would challenge students. He aimed for a place where students would truly focus on learning.

Reed College was created to be different from older, more traditional colleges. It didn't have sports teams, fraternities, or social clubs. Instead, it focused on academics and intellectual life. The goal was to create a place dedicated to "the life of the mind."

After World War II, many veterans enrolled, and the college grew. Over the years, Reed has also become known for its students' interest in social and political issues.

What Makes Reed College Special?

Part of the interior of the Eric V. Hauser Memorial Library

Reed College is quite unique among colleges in the United States. It offers a traditional education in liberal arts and sciences. All first-year students take Humanities 110. This class introduces them to ancient Greece and Rome, ancient Jewish history, and more recently, ancient Mesoamerica and the Harlem Renaissance.

Reed College also has a special research reactor on campus. This makes it the only school in the U.S. where undergraduate students mostly operate a nuclear reactor.

To graduate, all students must complete a senior thesis. This is a big research project that takes two semesters. Students work with professors on their thesis. After finishing, they must defend their work in a 90-minute oral exam. This exam covers their thesis and how it connects to their overall studies.

Reed College has a small class size, with about 9 students for every teacher.

Cherenkov radiation at Reed's research reactor

Even though students get letter grades, Reed doesn't focus on them much. Instead, teachers give detailed comments on student work. Grades are recorded, but students usually don't see them unless their work is not satisfactory. This approach encourages students to learn for the sake of learning, not just for grades. Many Reed students graduate without knowing their exact grade point average (GPA).

Reed College does not have fraternities or sororities. It also has few NCAA sports teams. However, students must take physical education classes. These classes can be anything from kayaking to juggling. Reed also has club sports like basketball and soccer.

Academics at Reed

Reed College organizes its academic programs into five main areas, plus the Humanities program. Reed offers many different majors. These include 26 department majors and 12 interdisciplinary majors. Interdisciplinary majors combine subjects from different departments.

Reed also has six programs where students can earn two degrees. These are offered with other colleges and universities. There are also programs for students who want to become doctors or veterinarians.

Some of the most popular majors in 2021 were:

Psychology
Biology/Biological Sciences
Mathematics
Physics
Environmental Studies
Anthropology
English Language & Literature
History
Multidisciplinary Studies

Academic Divisions

The Reed College campus

Reed's academic programs are grouped into these divisions:

Arts: Includes Art (History and Studio), Dance, Music, and Theatre.
History and Social Sciences: Includes History, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, and Sociology. It also has a program for International and Comparative Policy Studies.
Literature and Languages: Includes Classics, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian, and Spanish. It also has Creative Writing and General Literature programs.
Mathematics and Natural Sciences: Includes Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, and Linguistics: Includes Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, and Linguistics.

Humanities Program

The Humanities program at Reed is very important. It started in 1943. It aims to connect different subjects like science and arts. The required freshman course, Introduction to Western Humanities, covers ancient Greek and Roman literature, history, art, religion, and philosophy.

Older students can take other Humanities courses. These include Early Modern Europe, Modern Humanities, and Foundations of Chinese Civilization. There is also a Humanities Senior Symposium.

Combined Degree Programs

Reed offers programs that combine studies from different fields. Examples include American Studies, Environmental Studies, and Biochemistry.

Reed also has programs where you can earn two degrees from different schools. For example, you can study Computer Science with the University of Washington. You can also study Engineering with Caltech, Columbia University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Other options include Forestry with Duke University and Fine Art with the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

College Rankings

U.S. university rankings

USNWR Liberal Arts College	72
Washington Monthly Liberal Arts	78
Forbes	105

Reed College decided in 1995 not to take part in the U.S. News & World Report college rankings. This was because they felt some schools were changing their information to get higher ranks. U.S. News believes their rankings are helpful.

Despite not participating, Reed is still ranked by other groups. Money magazine ranked Reed 512th out of 623 schools in 2022. U.S. News & World Report ranked Reed as tied for the 72nd best liberal arts college in 2022. They also ranked it high for undergraduate teaching and innovation.

In 2006, Newsweek magazine called Reed one of the "New Ivies." These are elite colleges that are not part of the traditional Ivy League. In 2012, Newsweek said Reed was the 15th "most rigorous" college in the country.

Admissions and Costs

Eliot Hall in 2007

Becoming a Student

For the Class of 2026, 394 students were accepted. The average SAT scores for these students were 690 in math and 720 in reading. This class was chosen from over 9,000 applicants. It was the most selective class in Reed's history, with only about 30.8% of applicants being accepted.

Reed encourages students from diverse backgrounds to apply. They have a "Discover Reed Fly-In Program." This program pays for high school seniors to visit the campus.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The total cost for one year at Reed College in 2022–23 was about $80,710. This includes tuition, fees, and room and board. Other costs like books and transportation could add another $3,950.

However, many students receive financial help. In 2022–23, over half of the students received financial aid from the college. The average financial aid package was about $52,284.

Reed's endowment, which is money the college has saved, was $726 million in 2021. This money helps support the college's programs and financial aid.

Academic Achievements

Reed College has a strong record of academic success. It has produced 32 Rhodes Scholars, which is the second-highest number for any liberal arts college. Many graduates also become Fulbright Scholars and Watson Fellows. Three Reed alumni have even won MacArthur ("Genius") Awards.

A very high number of Reed graduates go on to earn PhDs. This is especially true in science, history, political science, and philosophy. Reed is ranked third in the country for the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs. Only Caltech and Harvey Mudd are higher.

In 1961, Scientific American magazine said that Reed was one of the best colleges for producing future scientists. Reed is also highly ranked for producing PhDs in specific subjects like biology, chemistry, and humanities.

A former education editor for The New York Times once wrote that Reed is the best place for "genuine intellectuals." He said it's for those who "love the life of the mind" and want to learn for learning's sake.

Campus Life and Features

Map of the Reed College campus

A. E. Doyle's 1920 Master Plan

The Reed College campus is located in southeast Portland, Oregon. It covers 116 acres. This includes a wooded wetland area called Reed Canyon.

The first buildings on campus were designed in a Tudor Gothic style. They look similar to buildings at older Ivy League schools. Later science buildings were built in a more modern style.

The campus has grown over the years. There are now 21 academic and administrative buildings. There are also 18 residence halls where students live. Reed has also bought nearby properties to expand.

Student Housing

The Old Dorm Block

Reed College houses 945 students in its residence halls and college-owned houses. The dorms have different styles. Some are traditional, like the Gothic Old Dorm Block. Others are more modern. There are also special "theme" dorms. These include language houses (for Spanish, Russian, French, German, Chinese) and dorms for students interested in specific activities like outdoor adventures.

One complex of dorms, MacNaughton and Foster-Scholz, is sometimes called "Asylum Block" by students. This is because of its modern design with long, straight hallways. Reed plans to update or replace some of these older dorms.

In 2008, Reed opened new residence halls called the Grove. These buildings were designed to be environmentally friendly. In 2019, a new large dorm called Trillium was completed. This building helps ensure that all first-year and sophomore students can live on campus.

Many students also rent houses in the nearby Portland neighborhoods of Woodstock and Eastmoreland.

Reed Canyon

The eastern half of the Canyon, visible from Blue Bridge

The Reed College Canyon is a natural area that cuts through the campus. It is also a national wildlife preserve. Crystal Creek Springs, a natural spring, flows through the canyon.

Twice a year, Reed holds "Canyon Day." On this day, students and neighbors help clean up and restore the canyon.

A famous landmark on campus is the Blue Bridge. It crosses the canyon and connects different parts of the campus. In 2008, a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge, sometimes called the "Bouncy Bridge," was also opened.

Douglas F. Cooley Gallery

Reed has an art gallery called the Cooley Gallery. It shows modern art from around the world. The gallery helps support the art and humanities programs at Reed. It hosts exhibitions, lectures, and artist visits throughout the year.

Food Services

The main cafeteria at Reed is called "Commons." It is known for serving environmentally friendly food. The food service company, Bon Appétit, buys food on an item-by-item basis. The menu often includes many vegan and vegetarian dishes.

Students have a tradition called "Scrounging." This is when students offer unfinished food from their trays to other students who don't have meal points.

The Reed College Co-ops are special dorms where students buy and prepare their own food together. They share chores and make decisions as a group. They focus on sustainability and organic food.

The Paradox is a coffee shop run by students on campus. There are also other small cafes on campus, like Caffe Circo.

The Aubrey R. Watzek Sports Center the day following its collapse.

In February 2021, the Aubrey R. Watzek Sports Center collapsed during a winter storm. Heavy snow on the roof caused it to break. The sports center was being used as a COVID-19 testing center at the time.

Student Life and Traditions

*Demographics of student body (Fall 2021)*
African American	5.0%
Asian American	15.0%
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	0.3%
Hispanic American	9.0%
Native American	2.0%
International	9.0%
White American	59.0%
Unknown	2.0%
Female	58.0%
Male	42.0%

Reed College students, faculty, and staff marching in Portland Pride 2014

The Griffin Mascot

The official mascot of Reed College is the griffin. A griffin is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. In stories, griffins often pulled the chariot of the sun. The griffin was on the family crest of Simeon Reed, one of the college's founders. It is now on the official seal of Reed College.

School Color and Song

Reed's official school color is Richmond Rose. However, over time, the color used in school materials has become a darker maroon.

The school song is "Fair Reed." It is sung to the tune of an old popular song. It was written by the first president, William Trufant Foster. Today, students rarely sing it. An unofficial school song, "Epistemology Forever," is sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Student Nicknames

In the early days, students and alumni called themselves "Reedites." After World War II, the term "Reedie" became more common and is used today. Prospective students who visit the campus are called "prospies."

Reed Folklore

Faux Reed Seal

Reed College has some fun traditions and folklore. One unofficial symbol is the Doyle Owl. This is a heavy concrete statue that has been stolen and re-stolen many times since 1919. The stories about the Doyle Owl are so many that a student even wrote a senior thesis about them!

Paideia: A Festival of Learning

Every January, before the second semester starts, Reed holds a special period called Paideia. This word comes from Greek and means 'education'. During Paideia, anyone can teach a class or seminar. Students, professors, staff, and even outside guests can lead these informal classes.

The classes are meant to be fun and intellectual, without the usual academic pressure. Some classes are silly, like "underwater basket weaving." Others are more serious, like martial arts or mini-classes on interesting topics. The goal of Paideia is to learn new things and encourage students to teach.

Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs attended Reed College for a short time. He famously said that a calligraphy class he took at Reed helped him focus on good typefaces for the Macintosh computer.

Renn Fayre

Renn Fayre is a big, three-day celebration held every year. It has a different theme each time. It started in the 1960s as a renaissance fair, but it has changed a lot since then. The event begins with graduating seniors throwing their thesis notes into a large bonfire. This happens after they have submitted their completed theses.

Reed Arts Week

Reed Arts Week is a week-long event that celebrates the arts at Reed. It includes music, dance, films, creative writing, and visual arts.

Student Groups

Students at Reed pay a fee each semester that helps fund student activities. This money supports the student newspaper, extracurricular activities, and other student groups.

The student-run newspaper is called The Reed College Quest. It has been published since 1913. The college also has a radio station, KRRC, which now broadcasts online.

Many student groups at Reed are informal. There isn't a strict process to start a group. If a group of students wants to do something together, they can just call themselves a student organization. Some groups, like the MLLL (Comic Book Reading Room), have been around for decades. Beer Nation is a student group that organizes events with beer gardens. Some groups, like the Motorized Couch Collective (which puts motors on furniture), are more like legends now.

Reed also has recreational facilities, a ski cabin on Mount Hood, and clubs like the Reed Outing Club (ROC). Club sports include ultimate frisbee, soccer, rugby, basketball, and squash.