In a letter to Virginia Governor Robert Brooke, George Washington explained his idea for a great "national university" to be established in the nation's capital city. Washington did not see this university in his lifetime, but approximately one hundred years later, in 1893, Washington's dream was realized when American University was chartered by an Act of the United States Congress. Through the vision of Methodist Bishop John Fletcher Hurst, the idea of a national university, an idea born with the nation itself, came into being.
The university trustees broke ground in 1896. Hurst Hall was the first building constructed on the AU campus and the first home of the "College of Liberal Arts" with construction completed on February 1, 1898.
After more than two decades devoted to principally securing financial support, the first graduate students were admitted in 1914 and President Woodrow Wilson officially dedicated the university on May 27, 1914. The first 75 undergraduate students were admitted to the college for the fall semester in 1925. In 1926, Battelle Memorial Building (the future home of the College of Arts and Sciences) opened as the University Library.
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. Despite the many titles that the college has carried, it has only ever stood for one cause: to train young leaders of tomorrow.
During World War II, the American Red Cross ran a training program for nurses at American University. The Overseas and Domestic Workers School was housed in Hurst Hall, then home of CAS, from January 1942 until June 1944.
Many key figures have given speeches at American University such as Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama. The students of AU have always demonstrated a passion for public service equal to that of the speakers who visit the campus. During the Vietnam War several large scale protests took place at American and many of the students in present times are involved in organizations that strive for positive change.
American University is currently continuing its quest to be the great national university that George Washington envisioned. With a solid foundation to stand upon, the College of Arts and Sciences continues to grow and develop to meet the new challenges of a shifting world. Created by the visions of great men and sustained by the drives of equally talented individuals, the College of Arts and Sciences remains a testament to the idea that created it, excellence in service.
