Student Life: University of Poor Men
From GWUEncyc
Article
The following was written in 1927:
One fact that is seemingly overlooked when anyone considers some difference between this University and other institutions is that this is literally a “University of Poor Men.” Where but an insignificant percentage of students of most other universities are earning even part of their way through school, a very high per cent of George Washington students are paying their entire way through the University. The minority percentage of students who are not required to work to attend this institution are for the most part, sons and daughters of those in moderate circumstances, whose parents find themselves only able to send their children to school in town.
This fact gives the University an extremely democratic character but necessarily influences the endowment, and in fact almost everything connected with the institution. Certainly, in certain fields, this lack of financial backing is a great handicap to the students but it also has its good points. The students here are more serious-minded and have on the whole, a greater purpose in life and at least as great a chance to succeed as their more wealthy brothers. While financial ease is certainly nothing to be refused, nevertheless the present financial character of George Washington University students may prove a blessing in disguise in making a unified University spirit more easily accomplished.
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Author or Source: Hatchet, April 13, 1927
Document Location: University Archives
Date Added to Encyclopedia: January 25, 2007
Prepared by: Lyle Slovick, Assistant University Archivist
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