Graduate School
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The George Washington University's Graduate School was given authority to offer professional degrees in engineering in 1892, and in 1905 the School of Graduate Studies was established and authorized to offer the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy (even though the first Ph.D. was awarded in 1888). In 1930 the Graduate School was discontinued. Columbian College assumed academic cognizance and a Graduate Council was formed to administer all Doctor of Philosophy degree programs. Advanced degrees in professional fields became the responsibility of the professional schools. In 1967 yet another reorganization consolidated the Graduate Council and the Graduate Division of the Columbian College into a new Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
The first dean of the newly formed Graduate School was Arthur E. Burns, who had previously served as the chair of the Graduate Council. Dean Henry Solomon (1974-90) succeeded Dean Burns. Dean Solomon's years in the Graduate School were characterized by unprecedented growth in programs, by zealous effort to raise standards of admission and performance, and by dramatic development of specialized Master's and Ph.D. programs. These programs, some conducted in off-campus centers, were shaped to the needs of particular student populations. Additionally, he made research an integral component of graduate education at The George Washington University.
Dr. Robert Kenny became Dean of Columbian College in 1989. Following the retirement of Dean Solomon in 1991, Dean Kenny assumed the duties of Acting Dean of the Graduate School. During his tenure as Dean, Dr. Kenny presided over the consolidation of the two schools, which became the Columbian College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Kenny, a thirty-year faculty member and Professor of History retired at the end of the Spring Semester, 1992. After Dean Kenny's retirement, Dr. Linda Salamon began her tenure as the first Dean of the combined schools. Dr. Salamon left this position in 1996. Dr. Lester A. Lefton served as Dean from 1997 to 2000. Dr. William Frawley served as dean from 2000 to 2006. The CCAS dean reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
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Author or Source: University Archives subject files
Document Location: University Archives
Date Added to Encyclopedia: December 21, 2006
Prepared by: G. David Anderson, University Archivist and Historian and Lyle Slovick, Assistant University Archivist
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