George Washington University was founded by an Act of Congress in 1821. The university is named after the first U.S. President, George Washington.
In 1823, in accordance with the Act of Congress, the Columbian College was chartered and became known as Columbian University. The school opened in 1824 at 6th Street and B Street NW in Washington, D.C., where it remained until 1881 when it moved to its present location on H Street and 23rd Street NW. The University has had three names since its inception: Columbian College (1821-1865), Columbian University (1865-1912) and George Washington University (1912-present).
The first classes were held at the old United States Capitol building on Pennsylvania Avenue until a permanent campus could be constructed on present-day Foggy Bottom Campus. The original campus building was completed in 1855 and is known today as Monroe Hall.
GW has about 15,000 students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries, making it the largest university in D.C., Virginia and Maryland. The university offers more than 200 undergraduate majors, including highly ranked programs in nursing, business administration, engineering and journalism, as well as graduate degrees through its schools of medicine, law and public health (medicine).
Moreover, the school’s mascot is George, a blue and gold dragon who is named after George Washington. The school colors are blue and gold as well.
