University of the District of Columbia

Office of the President: Dr. William Lawrence Pollard

4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Van Ness Campus
Building 39, Room 301A
Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 274-5100
E-mail: wpollard@udc.edu

Executive Assistant: Margorie Douglas
mdouglas@udc.edu

Administrative Assistant: Evelyn Whigham
ewhigham@udc.edu

Mission

Early in the nation's history, access to higher education was limited primarily to those pursuing careers in the ministry, medicine, and law. Later, with the advent of the land grant college system, higher education expanded its mission to meet the demands of an industrial and agrarian society. This involved not only the training of young men and women for a variety of careers, but also the development of scholars and researchers in the humanities and the natural and social sciences. During the past hundred years, colleges and universities have played a major role in providing the nation with scientific technology, an educated leadership, and an ever increasing level of literacy among the mass of citizens.

Now, as the nation enters its third century, higher education must reaffirm its commitment to improving the quality of life by providing instruction, advanced technology, career preparation, and education in the liberal arts.

Among the land grant institutions of America, the University of the District of Columbia has a unique opportunity to direct the land grant traditions of teaching, research, and extension to urban problems. Aware of the urgent need for strengthening intercultural harmony, the University is committed to fostering an appreciation of the variety of cultural styles which characterize the city and the American people. The University of the District of Columbia will strive for excellence in meeting the higher education needs and aspirations of the people of the nation's capital at the lowest possible cost to the student.

Towards these ends, the University has established the following goals:

History

The University of the District of Columbia is, at once, very old and very new. The seeds of higher education for the District were planted in 1851 when Myrtilla Miner founded a "school for colored girls". In 1879, Miner Normal School became a part of the public school system. Similarly, Washington Normal School, established in 1873 as a school for white girls, was renamed Wilson Normal School in 1913. In 1929, by an act of Congress, both schools became four-year teachers colleges and the only institutions of public higher education in the city. Years later, after the long awaited Supreme Court desegregation decision, the two schools united in 1955 to form the District of Columbia Teachers College.

However, for many residents who did not wish to become teachers or who were both black and poor, the opportunity for advanced technical training or study for a liberal arts degree was an unattainable goal. Years of persistent lobbying for comprehensive public higher education by District residents and others caused President John F. Kennedy, in 1963, to appoint a commission to study the District's needs. It was no surprise that the Chase Commission found a definite and compelling need for public higher education in the District of Columbia. There was a demand for instruction that was affordable, and there was an overwhelming desire for learning that would enable residents to participate fully in the unique life of the city.

The Commission's report stimulated congressional action. Under the leadership of Senator Wayne Morse and Congressman Ancher Nelson, the Public Education Act (Public Law 89-791) was enacted in 1966. Two schools were established: Federal City College, whose Board of Higher Education was appointed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and Washington Technical Institute, whose Board of Vocational Education was appointed by the President of the United States. The mission of both institutions was to serve the needs of the community by directing the resources and knowledge gained through education toward the solution to urban problems.

As a sign of hope for the future, both schools proudly opened their doors in 1968. There were so many applications for admission to Federal City College that students were selected by lottery. Federal City College and the Washington Technical Institute achieved land grant status in 1968, more than 100 years after the first Morrill Land Grant College Act was passed by Congress. Rapidly, the two schools grew in academic stature. Washington Technical Institute received accreditation in 1971; Federal City College in 1974.

Although the schools were in their infancy, thoughts turned to a comprehensive university structure. In 1969, the District of Columbia Teachers College, the city's oldest teacher training institution, was placed under the jurisdiction of the Board of Higher Education. In 1974, the Board established a joint administrative support system and placed the District of Columbia Teachers College and Federal City College under a single president.

After Congress granted limited home rule to the District of Columbia, the mandate for consolidation of the three schools was authorized by D.C. Law 1-36 in 1975. A new Board of Trustees took office in May 1976, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Mayor, three appointed from the student communities, and three appointed by the alumni associations. From that moment, the monumental task of shaping a new University of the District of Columbia began.

The Board of Trustees, acting to effect the consolidation, assigned Presidents Wendell P. Russell of Federal City College and Cleveland L. Dennard of Washington Technical Institute to work jointly in identifying, developing, and implementing tasks required to complete the effort. Beginning in February 1977, 22 task forces were formed to develop recommendations for Board action.

On August 1, 1977, the Board of Trustees publicly announced the consolidation of the District of Columbia Teachers College, the Federal City College, and the Washington Technical Institute into the University of the District of Columbia under a single management system. On the same day, the Board appointed Lisle Carleton Carter, Jr., the first president of the University.

In 1977, under the direction of President Carter, academic components began planning for consolidation of academic programs. These efforts culminated in the establishment of five programmatic colleges (Business and Public Management; Education and Human Ecology; Liberal and Fine Arts; Life Sciences; Physical Science, Engineering and Technology), University College, Continuing Education, and several academic units which comprised the University of the District of Columbia.

In 1994, a new academic consolidation took effect under the leadership of Julius F. Nimmons, Jr., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, resulting in the College of Arts and Sciences, with its School of Arts and Education and the School of Science and Mathematics, and the College of Professional Studies, with its School of Business and Public Administration and School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Majors & Degrees

Faculty

Updated: May 14, 2004