Beginnings

1831
A nontraditional student curriculum is conceived with the offering of the first “Literary and Scientific Course” geared toward working adults.

1891
Upon a suggestion from President Seth Low, Columbia University begins to offer classes to non-degree students and the general public, including women.

1891
Students attend a lecture in Columbia’s new Extension Teaching Program.

University Extension

1900
Summer courses are offered to part-time students; Nicholas Murray Butler serves as Director of the Summer Session.

1904
Nicholas Murray Butler, now President of Columbia University, organizes adult education classes into a formal program called Extension Teaching, which offers a broad array of classes, from classical studies to highway engineering and vegetable gardening.

1904
Nicholas Murray Butler, nicknamed “Nicholas Miraculous” by Teddy Roosevelt, served as President of Columbia University from 1902-1945 and shared the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize.

1909
Columbia creates the Writing Program, which is administered by Extension Teaching.

1911
Extension Teaching begins to offer courses in business, leading to the 1916 founding of the School of Business. Extension courses also eventually give rise to The School of Dental and Oral Surgery.

1921
Extension Teaching receives a new name—University Extension—and begins to grant the Bachelor of Science degree.

1926
University Extension registers a total of 19,000 students, including many who work with instructors in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Long Island. This is the largest-ever enrollment of students in the history of adult education at Columbia.

1930s
James Chidester Egbert, Director of University Extension (1910-42).

1942
James Egbert retires after six decades of service at Columbia, including 32 years as director of University Extension. Professor Harry Morgan Ayres becomes the new Director and implements revisions to the curriculum.

1942
Harry Morgan Ayres, Director of University Extension (1942-48). “I do not want adult education. I want a college education for adults.”

Rapid Growth

1947
To meet the needs of GIs returning from World War II, University Extension is reorganized as an undergraduate college and designated the School of General Studies.

1948
Columbia President Dwight Eisenhower and his wife Mamie mingle with students and faculty at GS Holiday Tea.

1950
Borrowing from the family crest of Samuel Johnson, the first instructor and President of King’s College, GS students create the first GS shield.

1950
Notable features of the GS shield include an owl and the school motto, "Lux in Tenebris Lucet," or "The light that shines in the darkness," both signifying that GS students attend classes at night.

 

1950s
As students and faculty members, women have been an integral part of the School of General Studies since its inception.

1951
Former University Extension student Louis Hacker, now a respected professor of American history and economics, is named the first Dean of the School of General Studies.

1951
GS establishes its own faculty.

1951
Dean Louis Hacker (1951-58).

1952
The GS chapter of Phi Beta Kappa is established.

1954
GS institutes a joint-degree program with List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

1955
The Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program, the first program of its kind in the United States, is established.

1955
The Alumni House, now called Buell Hall, housed General Studies for many years.

1957
In 1957 Pat Boone had three number one songs, starred in two films, hosted his own television show, and graduated from GS.

1958
Clifford Lord succeeds Dean Louis Hacker and sponsors substantial curriculum revisions, transforming GS into a liberal arts college.

1960
Dean Clifford Lord (1958-64).

1963
The School of General Studies was formerly located in Buell Hall before moving to Lewisohn Hall in 1964.

1964
GS moves to the old School of Mines building, now renamed Lewisohn Hall in honor of Adolph Lewisohn, an industrialist and philanthropist who originally helped fund the building’s construction.

1964
Dean Clifford Lord resigns to become President of Hofstra University; he is succeeded by Clarence Walton.

1964
In front of the newly named Lewisohn Hall, men prepare the statue of Le Marteleur (The Metal Worker) to be moved to the new School of Engineering building.

1964
Composer George Gershwin's rendering of philanthropist Adolph Lewison. The sketch was donated to the School by former GS student Ira Gershwin.

1966
Lewisohn Hall’s Baer Room is dedicated to Helene Gilbert Baer, GS ’50, recipient of the University Alumni Medal (1960) and GS Distinguished Service Award (1961). Mrs. Baer was founder and director of the GS Alumni Association and served as the national chairman of fund raising for the school. She was married to Albert M. Baer, Chairman of the GS Advisory Council and the 1963 recipient of the GS Owl Award.

1966
Helene Gilbert Baer, GS graduate and benefactor.

Quiet Progress

1968
GS begins to offer the Bachelor of Arts degree.

1969
Dean Clarence Walton leaves GS to become President of Catholic University. His successor, Alan Warner, focuses on increasing enrollment in an attempt to make the GS curriculum available to the broadest possible range of talented individuals.

1969
Dean Clarence Walton (1964-69).

1972
Dean Aaron Warner (1969-77).

1977
Ward Dennis succeeds Alan Warner as Dean of GS; Dean Warner becomes director of the newly-established Division of Continuing Education and Special Programs.

1977
Dean Ward Dennis (1977-92).

1980
Baruj Benacerraf, GS ’42, receives the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work in genetics.

1981
Alumni and friends raise funds to renovate Lewisohn Hall.

1981
The Division of Continuing Education and Special Programs is re-established as a branch of the School of General Studies.

1981
Extensive fundraising led by GS alumni and friends enabled the renovation of Lewisohn Hall.

1987
GS institutes the Master of Arts program in Liberal Studies.

Reorganization and Integration

1990
The Faculty of Arts & Sciences is created, unifying the faculties of Columbia College, the School of General Studies, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of International and Public Affairs.

1993
Dean Caroline Bynum (1993-94).

1995
Continuing work begun by Dean Caroline Bynum, Dean Gillian Lindt leads an administrative reorganization that separates the continuing education programs, Summer Session, American Language Program, Columbia-sponsored study abroad programs, and the non-degree and visiting students programs from the undergraduate degree granting program and the Postbaccalaureate Premedical program. The new structure enables the School of General Studies to focus on its core mission: to attract, train, and support nontraditional students who possess exceptional academic potential within the challenging intellectual environment that is Columbia University.

1995
The Liberal Studies M.A. program moves to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

1995
Dean Gillian Lindt (1994-97).

1997
Peter Awn becomes the Dean of GS and works aggressively to continue the academic integration started by his predecessors, Dean Caroline Bynum and Dean Gillian Lindt.

1997
Dean Peter Awn (1997-present).

1998
Former GS Dean Caroline Bynum becomes the first woman in Columbia history to be named University Professor.

2002
After years of lobbying, General Studies Student Council members ensure that GS students can fully participate in on-campus student organizations.

2004
Columbia celebrates its 250th anniversary.

GS Today

GS enjoys a deeper applicant pool, with increased student matriculation and persistence in both the undergraduate college and the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program.

2005
GS today.

2007
GS celebrates 60 years.