The History of NYU
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university that was founded in 1831. The school has grown and evolved in its more than 175 years of history, and it continues to rank highly among the nation's universities. In 2010, "U.S. News & World Report" magazine ranked NYU 6th among the nation's law schools, 9th among the nation's business schools, 16th among the nation's education programs and 32nd among the nation's universities.
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Founding
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On April 18, 1831, Albert Gallatin, former secretary of the treasury under Thomas Jefferson, founded New York University, then called the University of the City of New-York, according to the school's website. He stated his intention to supply the city of New York with "a system of rational and practical education fitting for all and graciously open to all." The university held its first classes in rented rooms in Lower Manhattan in 1832, and officially changed its name to New York University in 1896.
Student and Faculty Growth
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In its first academic semester in 1832, New York University had only 158 students and only 14 faculty members. In 1873 the first women students were admitted to the School or Art, although they did not receive degrees. Mary Dennis was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. degree from NYU in 1892. The university's faculty and student body has grown significantly over the years. The school now employs more than 3,100 full-time faculty members and has more than 19,400 undergraduate and 18,900 graduate and professional students, according to its website.
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Washington Square Campus
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The University Building, the first NYU building in Washington Square, opened in 1835. The building was torn down in 1894 and replaced with the Main Building, now known as the Silver Center. During World War II, army officers took liberal arts and language courses at the Washington Square campus. In the late 1960s, Washington Square Park became the site of student civil rights and anti-war demonstrations as well as protests about rising tuition. In 1973, the university relocated the undergraduate campus back to Washington Square, which continues to function as the heart of NYU.
University Heights Campus
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As the Washington Square campus grew crowded, the university moved its undergraduate college to a Bronx campus called University Heights. During World War II, the University Heights Campus served as a military training facility. NYU closed the University Heights campus in 1973, selling the property to the City University of New York. The Bronx Community College now uses the campus.
Establishment of Colleges and Schools Within the University
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Some of NYU's specialized schools have been established almost as long as the university itself. In 1835, the university established the School of Law, and in 1841, the School of Medicine. The Graduate School of Arts and Science was founded in 1886, the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development in 1890 and the Stern School of Business in 1900. Other schools founded between 1934 and 1972 include the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the School of Social Work, the Tisch School of the Arts and the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. As of 2010, the university contains 14 schools and colleges spread across six different Manhattan locations.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit graduation image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
