Vassar College

Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college situated in Poughkeepsie, NY. Formerly a women's college, Vassar is the only fully co-educational member of the Seven Sisters.

Related Topics:
Coeducational - Liberal arts college - Poughkeepsie - Women's college - Seven Sisters

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The college was founded by its namesake, Matthew Vassar, in 1861 in the scenic Hudson Valley, approximately 70 miles (100 km) north of New York City. The very first person, male or female, appointed to the Vassar faculty was the astronomer Maria Mitchell, in 1865. Vassar is often praised for its beautiful campus, a 1000 acre (4 km²) lot of land marked by period and modern buildings that is also an arboretum. The great majority of students live on campus. Founded as an all-female college, it went co-ed in 1969 after declining an offer to merge with Yale. Since that time, it has maintained its reputation as one of America's outstanding liberal arts colleges, and is especially noted for its tolerant social atmosphere. The newly renovated library has unusually large holdings for a college of its size. It includes special collections of originals of Albert Einstein and Elizabeth Bishop.

Related Topics:
Matthew Vassar - 1861 - Hudson Valley - New York City - Maria Mitchell - 1865 - Arboretum - Yale - Albert Einstein - Elizabeth Bishop

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Today roughly two thousand four hundred students attend Vassar, including many international students. Approximately 60% come from public high schools, 40% from private schools (both independent and religious). In recent freshman classes, students of color have comprised up to 27% of matriculants. International students from over 45 countries comprise 8% of the student body. They are taught by over two hundred faculty members, virtually all of whom hold terminal degrees in their fields.

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President Frances Daly Fergusson has served for nearly two decades, longer than almost any other president of a comparable college. She intends to retire in Spring 2006, and the college is currently searching for a successor.

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