History of George Washington University in Timeline

The George Washington University, located in Washington, D.C., is a private, federally-chartered research university. Chartered in 1821 as Columbian College, it holds the distinction of being the first university founded under Washington, D.C.'s jurisdiction. It is also one of only six universities in the United States with a federal charter, highlighting its unique relationship with the U.S. government.

1900: Thurston Hall used as staging ground

During the Vietnam War era, Thurston Hall was a staging ground for student anti-war demonstrations.

1904: Columbian University Renamed

In 1904, Columbian University was renamed George Washington University following an agreement with the George Washington Memorial Association, and funds were donated to construct Lisner Auditorium.

1904: Teacher Education Offered Since Founding

Teacher education has been offered since the university's founding in 1904.

1909: Graduate School of Education and Human Development Officially Started

In 1909, the Graduate School of Education and Human Development officially started.

1912: University Move to Foggy Bottom

In 1912, the university moved its principal operations to the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

1921: Closure of the George Washington Dental College

The George Washington Dental College closed in 1921 due to budget constraints.

1922: Campus Building

The Columbian College is primarily housed in Philips Hall, Rome Hall, Smith Hall of Art, MPA Building, Monroe Hall, Hall of Government, 1922 F Street, Corcoran Hall, Bell Hall, Samson Hall, Lisner Hall, and many other places around campus.

1924: "Hail to the Buff and Blue" Composed

In 1924, the official fight song "Hail to the Buff and Blue" was composed by GW student Eugene F. Sweeney.

1928: Business School Established

The George Washington School of Business was established in 1928 with a $1 million gift.

February 1929: GWU's Radio Club Founded

In February 1929, GWU's Radio Club was founded.

1934: George Washington University Press Established

In 1934, the George Washington University Press was established, with its first publication being Modern Hispanic America (edited by A. Curtis Wilgus).

January 26, 1939: Niels Bohr Announces Atom Splitting

On January 26, 1939, Niels Bohr announced that Otto Hahn had successfully split the atom at the Fifth Washington Conference on theoretical physics in the Hall of Government.

1942: Invention of the Bazooka

In 1942, the bazooka was invented at the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

1957: Building address

ESIA is primarily housed in Elliott Hall at 1957 E St.

1958: Carrier Current Radio Station First Operated

In 1958, a carrier current radio station first operated on campus as a result of efforts by GWU's Radio Club.

1962: SEAS Separates from Columbian College

In 1962, the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) separated from the Columbian College.

1966: Football Program Discontinued

In 1966, the football program was discontinued due to a lack of adequate facilities and the university's desire to develop an on-campus fieldhouse for basketball and other sports.

1973: Last Major Publication of the GWU Press

In 1973, The last major publication by the George Washington University Press was Elmer Louis Kayser's A Medical Center.

1981: President Reagan Treated at GW Hospital

In 1981, George Washington University Hospital became the center of the national spotlight when President Ronald Reagan was rushed to the emergency room after an attempted assassination.

1987: Graduate School of Political Management Joins

In 1987, the Graduate School of Political Management joined the university.

1989: "Hail to the Buff and Blue" Rewritten

In 1989, "Hail to the Buff and Blue" was rewritten by Patrick M. Jones.

1991: Ashburn Campus Established

In 1991, the George Washington University established a research and graduate campus in Ashburn, Virginia.

1994: Emergency Medical Response Group Active on Campus

Emergency Medical Response Group (EMeRG) has been active on campus since 1994 providing an all-volunteer 24/7 ambulance service for the campus and the Foggy Bottom/West End community at no cost.

1994: Focus Shift to Graduate Education

In 1994, the school shifted its focus to graduate education.

1996: The GW Pitches Founded

In 1996, The GW Pitches, a female a cappella group, was founded.

1996: Purchase of Mount Vernon College

In 1996, the university purchased the Mount Vernon College for Women in the city's Palisades neighborhood, which later became the school's coeducational Mount Vernon Campus.

July 1997: Milken Institute School of Public Health Established

In July 1997, the Milken Institute School of Public Health was established, bringing together three longstanding university programs in the schools of medicine, business, and education.

1997: First Use of Mount Vernon Campus

In 1997, the Mount Vernon Campus was first utilized as a women's college.

1999: Mount Vernon Campus Becomes Co-Ed

In 1999, GW changed its operations at the Mount Vernon Campus to a co-ed facility.

1999: Town Hall with President Clinton

In 1999, GW hosted the Town Hall with President Clinton, which was the first presidential town hall to ever be webcast live.

1999: WRGW Studio Relocated

In 1999, the WRGW studio was located to the ground floor of the University Student Center.

2002: Nursing Program Assessed

In 2002, the nursing faculty assessed GW's capacity to create GW's degree programs.

September 3, 2003: Elliott School Complex Opened

On September 3, 2003, alumnus Colin Powell opened a new complex for the Elliott School.

2003: GW Sirens and GW Motherfunkers Created

In 2003, The GW Sirens, another all-girls a cappella group, and the GW Motherfunkers, a coed top 40 a cappella group, were created.

2004: Edward P. Jones Wins Pulitzer Prize

In 2004, Edward P. Jones, a faculty member at George Washington University, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

2004: First MSN Class Admitted

In 2004, the first MSN class was admitted.

2005: Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé as President of Togo

Since 2005, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé (MBA) has been the president of Togo.

February 6, 2006: Ric and Dawn Duquès Hall Opened

On February 6, 2006, Ric and Dawn Duquès Hall, housing the business school, was opened.

December 2006: Steven Knapp Appointed President

In December 2006, Steven Knapp was appointed as the 16th President of the George Washington University.

2006: Chief Justice John Roberts Presided Over Moot Court

In 2006, Chief Justice John Roberts presided over the moot court at The George Washington University Law School.

2006: First MSN Graduating Class

In 2006, the MSN program, led by Ellen Dawson, achieved accreditation, coinciding with the graduation of its inaugural class.

2006: Richard B. and Lynne V. Cheney Cardiovascular Institute Established

In 2006, the Richard B. and Lynne V. Cheney Cardiovascular Institute was started at GW.

August 1, 2007: Steven Knapp's Presidency Begins

On August 1, 2007, Steven Knapp's presidency at the George Washington University began.

2007: Justice Sonia Sotomayor Presided Over Moot Court

In 2007, Justice Sonia Sotomayor presided over the moot court at The George Washington University Law School.

2007: Steven Knapp Named President

In 2007, Steven Knapp was named the university's sixteenth president.

2007: First DNP Classes Admitted

In 2007, the first classes for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program were admitted.

2007: Construction Begins on Square 54

In late 2007, construction began on a large mixed-use development on the site of the old GW Hospital (Square 54).

2009: Justice Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia Presided Over Moot Court

In 2009, Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Antonin Scalia presided over the moot court at The George Washington University Law School.

2009: First ABSN Classes Admitted

In 2009, the first classes for the accelerated second-degree Bachelor of Nursing Science (ABSN) program, located in Ashburn, VA, were admitted.

2010: Ashburn Campus Growth

By 2010, the Ashburn, Virginia campus grew to 101 acres (41 ha).

2010: Freshman Retention Rate

For the 2010–2011 school year, the freshman retention rate was 94.3%.

2010: GW School of Nursing Re-established

In 2010, the George Washington School of Nursing was re-established as the university's tenth academic institution, with Jean Johnson and Ellen Dawson as the founding deans.

2011: FY2011 Student Loan Default Rate and Acceptance Rate Data

For the FY2011 cohort of students, the student loan default rate was 1.4, one of the lowest in the nation. According to self-provided data by George Washington University, as of the 2011–2012 academic year, the acceptance rate for the Medical School was 3%, receiving 10,588 applications. GW Law School's acceptance was 23%, receiving 10,021 applications. GW's Undergraduate studies' acceptance rate was 32%, receiving 21,433 applications.

2011: Eric Cantor as House Majority Leader

In 2011, Eric Cantor, a GW alumnus, became the House Majority Leader.

2011: The Textile Museum merged with GW

In 2011, the Textile Museum merged with the university.

2012: FY2011 Student Loan Default Rate and Acceptance Rate Data

According to self-provided data by George Washington University, as of the 2011–2012 academic year, the acceptance rate for the Medical School was 3%, receiving 10,588 applications. GW Law School's acceptance was 23%, receiving 10,021 applications. GW's Undergraduate studies' acceptance rate was 32%, receiving 21,433 applications.

2012: Misreporting of Admissions Data

In 2012, GW officials announced that they had misreported admissions data on their student body for over a decade, overstating the number of students who had graduated from high school in the top ten percent of their classes due to a "data reporting error".

2012: George Wins National Mascot Competition

In 2012, George, the university's mascot, took first place at the National Cheerleaders Association Mascot Competition.

2012: GW Motherfunkers Created

In 2012, the GW Motherfunkers, a coed top 40 a cappella group, were created.

2012: Walkable solar-power sidewalk project began

The project began in 2012.

September 2013: Report of Need-Aware Admissions Policy

In September 2013, The GW Hatchet reported that the university had a need-aware admissions policy, even though it claimed to have a need-blind policy at the time. The university subsequently admitted that its admissions policy was, in fact, need-aware.

2013: U.S. News & World Report Removes GW From Rankings

Consequently, U.S. News & World Report removed the school from its rankings and altered the GW's entry to being unranked for 2013.

2013: Undergraduate Enrollment Numbers

During the 2013–2014 academic year, there were 5,015 undergraduates enrolled in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, 2,005 in the Elliott School of International Affairs, 1,566 in the School of Business, 774 in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, 367 in the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 174 in the Milken Institute School of Public Health, and 153 in the School of Nursing.

2013: International Student Representation

During the 2013–2014 academic year, there were over 130 countries represented among the student body.

2013: Inclusion in Princeton Review's Guide to Green Schools

In 2013, George Washington University was included in the Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Schools.

2013: Mohammad Nahavandian as Chief of Staff of the President of Iran

Since 2013, Mohammad Nahavandian (economics) has been the chief of staff of the President of Iran.

March 2014: Milken Institute School of Public Health Renamed

In March 2014, the Milken Institute School of Public Health was renamed.

May 2014: Milken Institute School of Public Health Opens

In May 2014, GW opened the Milken Institute School of Public Health.

October 2014: Inauguration of the first walkable solar-power sidewalk

In October 2014, the Virginia Science and Technology Campus inaugurated the first walkable solar-power sidewalk in the world.

2014: Undergraduate Enrollment Numbers

2014: International Student Representation

During the 2013–2014 academic year, there were over 130 countries represented among the student body.

2014: Eric Cantor's Tenure as House Majority Leader

Eric Cantor, a GW alumnus, served as House Majority Leader until 2014.

2014: Sierra Club Magazine Ranking

George Washington University was ranked number 12 on The Sierra Club's magazine "Cool Schools List" for 2014.

2014: Corcoran School of the Arts and Design Joins

In 2014, the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design joined the university.

2014: Reinstatement in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

The university was reinstated in the 2014 rankings by the U.S. News & World Report.

February 2015: Elliott School Ranking

As of February 2015, the Elliott School's undergraduate program was ranked eighth globally and the graduate program was ranked seventh in the world.

March 2015: School of Engineering and Applied Science Moved

In March 2015, the School of Engineering and Applied Science moved into the new Science and Engineering Hall.

March 2015: The Textile Museum reopened

In March 2015, the Textile Museum reopened to the public after renovations.

2015: SAT and ACT Test Scores No Longer Required

As of 2015, George Washington University no longer required the SAT and ACT test scores for applicants in order to boost the enrollment of disadvantaged students.

2015: World's Wealthiest University Ranking

George Washington University was ranked the 66th world's wealthiest university in 2015.

2016: Ranked Among Top Universities for Producing Billionaires

GW was ranked tied for 25th of the "Top Universities for Producing Billionaires 2016–2017" by Times Higher Education's World University Rankings.

2016: District House Opens

In 2016, District House opened at GW.

2016: Rejection of Fossil Fuel Divestment Demands

In 2016, university officials rejected demands by the student body for the university to divest from fossil fuels.

2017: Ranked Among Top Universities for Producing Billionaires

GW was ranked tied for 25th of the "Top Universities for Producing Billionaires 2016–2017" by Times Higher Education's World University Rankings.

2017: Thomas LeBlanc Named President

In 2017, Thomas LeBlanc was named the President of the George Washington University.

2017: 2017-2018 Financial Aid

In the 2017–2018 academic year, students were awarded $308.1 million in financial-aid.

January 2018: Business Program Ranking

As of January 2018, GW's undergraduate business program was ranked 42nd nationally and its International Business program was ranked ninth.

2018: Research and Development Spending

According to the National Science Foundation, in 2018, the university spent $260 million on research and development, ranking it 89th in the nation.

2018: Best Global Universities Ranking

George Washington is ranked 61st for the "Best Global Universities for Social Sciences and Public Health 2018" by U.S. News & World Report.

2018: Elliott School Rankings by Foreign Policy

In 2018, Foreign Policy ranked the Elliott School's Masters in International Affairs as the seventh best in the world in its "Inside the Ivory Tower" annual report. Foreign Policy also ranks the Elliott School as being the eighth in the "Top U.S. Undergraduate Institutions to Study International Relations 2018."

2018: 2017-2018 Financial Aid

In the 2017–2018 academic year, students were awarded $308.1 million in financial-aid.

2019: GW Alumni as Foreign Heads of State or Government

As of 2019, 16 George Washington University alumni had served as foreign heads of state or government, with four currently serving.

2019: Times Higher Education Ranks GW Law Program

In 2019, The Times Higher Education ranks GW as having the 64th best law program in the world.

July 2020: Committees Formed to Consider Name Changes

In July 2020, the university began forming special committees to look at possible name changes to an on-campus building and the school moniker.

2020: Elizabeth Warren's Presidential Candidacy

In 2020, Elizabeth Warren, a GW alumna, was a candidate for President of the United States.

2020: GW Law School Ranks High

The 2020 U.S. News & World Report ranks GW Law School as fifth best in the U.S. for its international law program, fifth best for intellectual law, second best for part-time law, and as the 22nd best law school in the United States.

2021: Multistory Building Erected for GW Hillel

In 2021, a multistory building was erected in the middle of GW's campus for GW Hillel.

2021: 2021-2022 Academic Year Tuition Rate

In the 2021–2022 academic year, the tuition rate was $59,780.

January 2022: Mark S. Wrighton Becomes Interim President

In January 2022, LeBlanc was succeeded by Mark S. Wrighton as interim university president.

2022: Colonials Name Retired

In 2022, the Colonials name was officially retired.

2022: 2022 Academic Year

Mention of the academic year of 2022.

January 2023: Ellen Granberg Named University President

In January 2023, the university named Ellen Granberg as the university's new president.

July 1, 2023: Ellen Granberg Start Date

Ellen Granberg's Start Date was July 1, 2023.

2023: Invited to Join Association of American Universities

In 2023, GW was invited to join the Association of American Universities, making it the only member of the research university organization in Washington D.C.