University of Virginia

History

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia's inaugeral banquet was held in 1824 in the presence of James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette, and its first classes met in March 1825. At this time, it became the first university to offer students a full choice of elective courses, rather than a fixed schedule determined by school administrators. Jefferson explained: "This institution of my native state, the hobby of my old age, will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind to explore and to expose every subject susceptible of its contemplation."

Related Topics:
1819 - 1824 - James Madison - Marquis de Lafayette - 1825

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His most innovative concept for the new university was based on a daring vision of higher education being completely separated from religious doctrine. One of the largest construction projects in North America up to that time, the new Grounds were centered upon a library (then housed in the Rotunda) rather than a church — distinguishing it from its peer universities in the English-speaking world, nearly all of which were dominated by one religious movement or another. Jefferson hosted Sunday dinners at his Monticello home for faculty and students, including Edgar Allan Poe, until his death. Some time before this occurred, Jefferson insisted that his grave bear the words FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA as one of three accomplishments during his lifetime by which he wished to be remembered.

Related Topics:
Rotunda - Monticello - Edgar Allan Poe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many of America's political leaders have gravitated to the University of Virginia over the years. In 1826, fourth U.S. President James Madison became Rector of the University, at the same time America's fifth President James Monroe made his home on the Grounds and was a member of the Board of Visitors. 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson attended for one year the University of Virginia Law School, the same institution from which graduated Robert Kennedy, his son Robert Kennedy Jr., and his brother, Ted Kennedy. Other alumni in leadership roles have included three United States Supreme Court Justices, two Surgeons General, a Speaker of the House, a Senate Majority Leader, numerous Senators and Representatives, Secretaries of State, Defense, Energy, Transportation, Treasury, and the Navy, and the Secretary General of both NATO and the Council of the European Union.

Related Topics:
1826 - James Madison - James Monroe - Woodrow Wilson - Robert Kennedy - Robert Kennedy Jr. - Ted Kennedy - United States Supreme Court Justices - Surgeons General - Speaker of the House - Senate Majority Leader - Senator - Representatives - State - Defense - Energy - Transportation - Treasury - Navy - Secretary General - NATO - Council of the European Union

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Unlike many other southern schools, the University of Virginia was kept open throughout the American Civil War. This was especially remarkable because Virginia was the site of more battles during this war than any other state. In March 1865, Union General George Armstrong Custer marched troops into Charlottesville, where faculty and community leaders convinced him to spare the university. Union troops camped on the Lawn and damaged many of the Pavilions, but left four days later without bloodshed. The University was then able to return to its educational routines.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - 1865 - George Armstrong Custer - Union troops

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jefferson, ever the skeptic of central authority and beaurocracy, had originally decided the University of Virginia would have no President. Rather, this power was shared by a Rector and a Board of Visitors. As the nineteenth century drew to a close, it became obvious that this arrangement was incapable of adequately handling the many administrative and fundraising tasks that had become necessary and unavoidable in the interworkings of a modern university.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1904, Edwin Alderman became the first President of the University of Virginia. In this position he embarked on a number of reforms for both the university and the state of Virginia's public educational systems in general. A reform specific to the University of Virginia was one of the first school-sponsored financial aid programs in all of higher learning and, though primitive by today's standards, it included a loan provision for those "needy young men" who were unable to pay. Initially controversial and opposed by many at what had become a very traditional school, Alderman's progressive ideas stood the test of time and he today remains the longest-serving President of the university's history, having served for nearly thirty years until his death in 1931. Alderman Library, a popular landmark among today's students, is his namesake.

Related Topics:
1904 - Financial aid - 1931

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Public Ivy" is a term that was first coined to describe the University of Virginia. The term is attributed to Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner at around the time the Ivy League was forming in the northeast. Some at the time thought the University should privatize a few of its schools and attempt to join them. Later, in 1957, Faulkner became writer-in-residence at the University, keeping open office hours until his death in 1962.

Related Topics:
Public Ivy - William Faulkner - Ivy League - 1957 - 1962

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Though all-white until 1950 and generally all-male until 1970 (women had for many years previous attended the education and nursing schools), the University of Virginia is now much more diverse. The makeup of the Class of 2008 was 10% African-American, 14% Asian-American, 5% Hispanic, 5% Other and 5% International. Fewer than two-thirds identified themselves as being white. Eighty-five percent of the University's entering Class of 2009 were ranked in the top 10% of their graduating high school class and 56% were female.

Related Topics:
1950 - 1970 - 2008 - 2009

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004, the University of Virginia became the first public university in the United States to receive more of its funding from private sources than from the state with which it is associated. Thanks to a Charter initiative that recently passed the Virginia legislature, the University — and any other public universities in the state that choose to do so — will have greater autonomy over its own affairs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the same year, the 100th anniversary of Alderman becoming President, the University announced the AccessUVa financial aid program. This innovative program, one of the first of its kind, guaranteed that U.Va. will meet 100% of a student's demonstrated need. It also provided low-income students (up to 200% of the poverty line – at the time about $37,700 for a family of four) with full grants to cover all of their educational needs. The program was an immediate success, and by 2005 was being studied and duplicated by other top public universities.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~