About the College | History

Bishop Hurst at Groundbreaking

Parade from Hurst Hall to McKinley cornerstone laying

A global outlook, practical idealism, a passion for public service: They're part of American University today, and they were in the air in 1893, when AU was chartered by Congress. George Washington had dreamed of a "national university" in the nation's capital. But it took John Fletcher Hurst to found a university that, in many ways, embodies that dream.

President Woodrow Wilson officially dedicated the university on May 27, 1914 and the first graduate students were admitted. The College of Liberal Arts was established in 1925, with the first 75 undergraduate students admitted that fall. 

 

Photos: Bishop Hurst at groundbreaking; Hurst Hall in 1902, which now houses the Departments of Biology and Environmental Science

CAS - Batelle 1950's

McKinley Building

Throughout the history of American University, the College of Arts and Sciences has changed its name several times. At first known as the "College of Liberal Arts," the name was changed to the "College of Arts and Sciences" in 1939. For a brief period it was known simply as the "Undergraduate College" until the name was converted back to the "College of Arts and Sciences" in 1956.

The largest school or college at American University, the College of Arts and Sciences currently has 3,200 students, 289 full-time faculty, and 150 degrees offered. While the College is continually growing, the commitment to promoting free and rational discourse, fostering an understanding of the diversity of human experience, providing the critical intellectual skills necessary to navigate a rapidly changing world, and integrating knowledge across disciplinary boundaries never changes.  

Photos: Students in the mid-1950s in front of Battelle Memorial Building, the current College home; McKinley Building in 1924, the current residence for the College's graduate admissions staff and the Departments of Physics and Computer Science

Battelle in the 1960s

Theodore Roosevelt at McKinley cornerstone laying 1902

Photos: Battelle Memorial Building in the 1960s; Theodore Roosevelt at McKinley cornerstone laying in 1902

 

Important Dates

1890
Methodist bishop John Fletcher Hurst buys some 90 acres of farmland on which to build a nonsectarian national university.

1891
The university incorporates as The American University under laws of the District of Columbia. Bishop Hurst is elected chancellor.

1893
AU is chartered by Act of Congress.

1896
Bishop Hurst breaks ground for College of History (Hurst Hall).

1902
McKinley Building cornerstone is laid by President Theodore Roosevelt.

1914
First class is admitted (28 students, including 4 women).

1916
First class graduates.

1925
College of Liberal Arts is established; 75 students enroll.

1927
First undergraduate class of the College of Liberal Arts graduates.

1960
Asbury Building is completed, the current home for the Departments of Psychology and Language and Foreign Studies.

1962
Watkins Art Building opens.

1966
Kreeger Music Building opens.

1967
Beeghly Chemistry Building opens.

1975
School of Education is established.

1984
Department of Communication becomes School of Communication under the College of Arts and Sciences.

1993
School of Communication becomes independent.

2002
Battelle Building is renovated and becomes the new home of the College of Arts and Sciences.

2003
Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre opens.

2005
The Katzen Arts Center, housing the visual and performing arts programs, opens.

2006
The AU Museum, housed in the Katzen Arts Center, hosts 18,000 visitors its first year.  

CAS Katzen Garage


(Photos: Katzen Arts Center; Battelle-Tomkins Memorial Building)

 

Deans of the College

1925-1944  George B. Dennis, Dean (College Of Liberal Arts)

1944-1945  Earl A. Dennis, Dean  

1945-1946  Thomas Marshall, Dean                    

1946-1947  John W. Manning, (Elected, Did Not Serve)

1946-1953  John E. Bentley, Dean   

1953-1959  Harold E. Davis, Dean (Undergraduate College)

1959-1964  Ralph C. John, Dean  (1964, College of Arts & Sciences)

1964-1965  David G. Mobberly, Dean (College of Arts & Sciences)

1965-1969  W. Donald Bowles, Dean  

1969-1970  William M. Wiebenga, Acting Dean

1970-1973  William M. Wiebenga, Dean

1973-1974  Harvey C. Moore, Acting Dean

1974-1976  Richard Berendzen, Dean

1976-1977  Frank Turaj, Acting Dean

1977-1985  Frank Turaj, Dean

1985-1997  Betty T. Bennett, Dean

1997-1999  Howard M. Wachtel, Acting Dean

1999-2000  Kay J. Mussell, Acting Dean  

2000-2009  Kay J. Mussell, Dean            

2009-         Peter Starr, Dean        

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