George Washington University History

Discussion Questions

• Consider the fund-raising literature from the "George Washington University Movement": Letter 1 | Letter 2 | Donation Form. What kind of people were the campaigners trying to appeal to in their fund-raising drive? (For a hint, revisit the University Bulletin)
• Examine the 1904 Columbian University Bulletin. Why do you think the map for the proposed university sites and tentative building designs were also included with the explanation?
• Check out the Board of Trustees Minutes from November 16, 1904 where the new University seal and colors were voted upon. Aside from the obvious reason of honoring their namesake, what other reasons would the trustees have had for choosing these colors and images to represent the University?
• Why would University president Charles Needham have written to United States President Theodore Roosevelt about the affairs of George Washington University?
• Review the excerpt from George Washington's will and the history of the George Washington Memorial Association as outlined in the Board of Trustees Minutes from May 2, 1904. In light of these documents, do you agree or disagree with John W. Hoyt's article "No Right to the Name"? Explain your reasoning.