College of Arts and Sciences :: American University :: Washington, D.C.

mission statement

CAS History

This collection of images reflects only a few events in the rich history of American University and the College of Arts and Sciences. If you have a suggestion for an event that you'd like to see highlighted here, please e-mail the CAS Alumni Chapter at cas_alumni@american.edu.

Hurst Hall was the first building constructed on the AU campus and the first home of the "College of Liberal Arts." Construction began on March 9, 1896, and the building was completed on February 1, 1898.

Groundbreaking for Hurst Hall
(Bishop John Fletcher Hurst holding shovel)

Hurst Hall 1902

The official name of the college changed several times over AU's first thirty years:

It was established in 1925 as the "College of Liberal Arts."
In 1939, it first took its current name as the "College of Arts and Sciences"
The name briefly changed again in 1953, becoming the "Undergraduate College"
Finally, in 1959, the name returned to the "College of Arts and Sciences"

The first 75 undergraduate students were admitted to the college for the fall semester in 1925. All years (freshman through senior) were accepted, and courses began on September 23, 1925.

First Graduation Ceremony
June 1, 1926