Oldest public university in the United States: Difference between revisions
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==The College of William & Mary== |
==The College of William & Mary== |
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Now a public university, [[The College of William & Mary]] in [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]], [[Virginia]] was founded by [[royal charter]] in 1693, making it one of the oldest colleges, public or private, in the United States. The college severed formal ties with [[Kingdom of Great Britain|England]] after the [[Colonial America|colonies]] [[Declaration of Independence|declared independence]], but remained private until financial troubles forced its closure after the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. It re-opened in 1888, but continued financial troubles forced it to accept funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia beginning in 1906. It has been public ever since.<ref>[http://www.wm.edu/about/history/chronology/index.php Historical Chronology of William & Mary]</ref> |
Now a public university, [[The College of William & Mary]] in [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]], [[Virginia]] was founded by [[royal charter]] in 1693, making it one of the oldest colleges, public or private, in the United States. The college severed formal ties with [[Kingdom of Great Britain|England]] after the [[Colonial America|colonies]] [[Declaration of Independence|declared independence]], but remained private until financial troubles forced its closure after the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. It re-opened in 1888, but continued financial troubles forced it to accept funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia beginning in 1906. It has been public ever since.<ref>[http://www.wm.edu/about/history/chronology/index.php Historical Chronology of William & Mary]</ref> |
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==Rutgers University== |
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While it does not actively claim being the oldest public university, [[Rutgers University]] in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]], [[New Jersey]] was founded as ''Queen's College'' in 1766—prior to the establishment of the University of Georgia and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Founded by [[Dutch Reformed]] clergymen, Queen's College later was renamed ''Rutgers College'' after benefactor [[Henry Rutgers]] in 1825. It became ''Rutgers University'' in 1924. Rutgers University became the state university of New Jersey by acts of the state legislature in 1945 and 1956. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 05:42, 5 February 2013
The title of oldest public university in the United States is claimed by three universities: the University of Georgia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and The College of William & Mary.
University of Georgia
Located in Athens, Georgia, the University of Georgia received its charter from the state in 1785, making the University of Georgia the first state-chartered university in the United States. As a result of this distinction UGA brands itself as the "birthplace of the American system of higher education." A site was selected for the university, and it began admitting students, in 1801.[1]
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The state of North Carolina chartered the University of North Carolina in 1789, and construction on the campus began in 1793. The university was the first public university in the country to admit students when it opened in 1795. Graduating its first class in 1798, UNC was the only public institution to confer degrees in the 18th century.[2]
The College of William & Mary
Now a public university, The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia was founded by royal charter in 1693, making it one of the oldest colleges, public or private, in the United States. The college severed formal ties with England after the colonies declared independence, but remained private until financial troubles forced its closure after the Civil War. It re-opened in 1888, but continued financial troubles forced it to accept funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia beginning in 1906. It has been public ever since.[3]
Rutgers University
While it does not actively claim being the oldest public university, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey was founded as Queen's College in 1766—prior to the establishment of the University of Georgia and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Founded by Dutch Reformed clergymen, Queen's College later was renamed Rutgers College after benefactor Henry Rutgers in 1825. It became Rutgers University in 1924. Rutgers University became the state university of New Jersey by acts of the state legislature in 1945 and 1956.