Boston university
Boston University has an international reputation as a center for excellence. It has seen many ups and downs over the years but has always kept its mission of providing best education possible intact. Its constant endeavor is to shape the character and values of its students. Boston University is a private University. The University operates from two campuses. The main campus is on the Charles River in Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Then there is the Boston Medical Center which is in the South End Neighborhood of Boston. The University’s urban campus has an area of 132 acres.
The University’s mascot is Rhett the Boston Terrier and colors are Scarlet and White. The start of the University can be traced back to the year 1839 when the Newbury Biblical Institute was established in Newbury, Vermont. It was officially chartered by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1869. Keeping both these dates in mind, Boston University organized its Centennial observances twice- in 1939 & in 1969. Today, the University has more than 3000 faculty members and almost 30,000 students. Students can pursue associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree courses offered by the University through several of its school and colleges.
Some of these colleges and schools are:
• College of Arts and Sciences.
• College of Fine Arts.
• College of Engineering.
• College of General Studies.
• College of Communication.
• Boston University School of Law.
• School of Management.
• School of Education.
• University Professors Program.(UNI)
The University also offers internships overseas and in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles so students can travel and study abroad. The student-teacher ratio is 15:1.
History of Boston University.
On 24-25 April 1839, Methodist ministers and laymen from throughout New England met at Old Bromfield Street Church in Boston and decided to start a Methodist Theological School. Thus, the Newbury Biblical Institute was established in Newbury, Vermont. In 1847, this institute relocated to Concord, reason being that a Congregational Society in Concord, New Hampshire invited it to relocate. It also gave the institute a disused Congregational Church building seating 1200 people. Their stipulation was that the institute must remain in Concord for at least 20 years. The Charter issued by New Hampshire named the relocated institute as the “Methodist General Biblical Institute”. When the stipulated 20 years were about to get over, the Trustees of “Methodist General Biblical Institute” started looking for a possible relocation site. So they purchased 30 acres on Aspinwall Hill in Brookline, Massachusetts. And in 1867, the Institute received a Massachusetts Charter as the “Boston Theological Institute” and moved to 23 Pinkney Street in Boston. In 1869, three Trustees of this Theological Institute obtained a Charter for “Boston University” from the Massachusetts Legislature. These three Trustees were successful Boston businessmen and Methodist Laymen, Isaac Rich (1801-1872), Lee Claflin (1791-1871) and Jacob Sleeper (1802-1889). Today, three dormitories at Boston University are named after these three founders. The then Governor of Massachusetts, Mr. William, who was also Lee Claflin’s
son, signed the University Charter on 26 May, 1869. This new University, according to its charter, was open to all regardless of race, sex or (with the exception of the School of Theology) religion. The Boston Theological Institute was absorbed in the new University in 1871 and was renamed BU School of Theology. When Isaac Rich died in 1872, he left the bulk of his estate to a trust to be transferred to the University after 10 years of its growth. This bequest was appraised at more than $1.5 million and was the largest single donation to an American college or University to that time. But in the Great Boston Fire of 1872, all but one of the buildings that Rich had left to the Boston University, were destroyed. To add to the woes, the insurance companies with whom the properties were insured, declared themselves bankrupt. So when the estate was turned over to the University in 1882, its value was only half of what it had been in 1872. These financial problems prevented the University from building its campus on Aspinwall Hill. So the University facilities were left scattered throughout the less fashionable parts of Boston such as Beacon Hill, Boylston Street and Copley Square areas.
University’s service to the society that fostered it.
From the very beginning, the University was always ready to play a vital role in the society that fostered it. Since 1875, physicians and medical students participated in the Home Medical Service. Edgar Helms, graduate of the School of Theology, founded Goodwill Industries in 1902. Students played a role in setting up Epworth Settlement combining religious services and charitable work. Then came the World War I and here too the University contributed. School of Medicine set up Base Hospital 44 in Pougues-les-Eaux, France and it was used by Red Cross. Over $30,000 was raised for this hospital and 32 doctors from Boston University served in this hospital. Similarly, during World War II, University condensed the traditional four-year undergraduate study and A Wartime College Training Program was started to enable undergraduates to complete their education in about one-half the usual time. Also, War Mobilization courses and Summer Sessions were added. This University was one of the first sites for the Army Specialized Training Program, providing room and board to the trainees. Army officers were also trained here for the occupation of Germany. During WW-II, 223 students and alumni of the University gave their lives for their nation and 1,132 received military honors. Talking of present times, the Boston University Community Service Center (CSC), a non-profit organization offers 12 different volunteer opportunities for students in different issues, affecting not only Boston but world as a whole. Some of the issues included here are- education, hunger, children, disabilities etc. 10 of these 12 programs are continual commitments throughout the school year. Two other programs are First Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP) and the Alternative Spring Breaks (ASB) programs. These programs occur at only one time during the year. But throughout all these changes, one thing has remained absolutely constant and that is the University’s dedication to its mission of providing the best education possible. That is why this University enjoys an international reputation for excellence.
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