Boston University

Have you ever imagined a university rising from the ashes, not once, but twice? Right here, at Boston University, that incredible story unfolded. Boston University’s journey began in 1839 as the Newbury Biblical Institute in Vermont. Relocating to Boston in 1867, it was officially chartered as “Boston University” in 1869, thanks to three Methodist laymen: Isaac Rich, Lee Claflin, and Jacob Sleeper. Their vision? A university open to all, regardless of gender, race, or religion (except in the School of Theology). An unusual concept for the time. Tragedy struck in 1872. Isaac Rich, a key benefactor, passed away, leaving a substantial estate to BU. The Great Boston Fire that same year destroyed nearly all the bequeathed properties, crippling the university financially. BU persevered, rebuilding on Beacon Hill, then expanding to Boylston Street and Copley Square before finally settling along the Charles River in the 1930s. Boston University’s resilience is woven into its very DNA. In 1876, in a BU lab, Professor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. In 1877, BU awarded the first PhD to a woman in America, Helen Magill White. The university continued to break barriers, producing the first female theology graduate in the US, Anna Oliver, and the first black psychiatrist in the US, Solomon Carter Fuller. Boston University has always championed inclusivity and innovation. It faced further challenges, from two World Wars to student protests during the turbulent 1960s and the presidency of John Silber. Yet, through it all, BU continued to grow, expanding its campus, recruiting renowned faculty like Nobel laureates Elie Wiesel and Derek Walcott, and becoming a world-renowned research institution. Today, Boston University stands as a testament to its founders’ vision. A bustling hub of learning and research, home to nearly 38,000 students and over 4,000 faculty. Its diverse campus stretches along the Charles River, a vibrant blend of historic and modern architecture. This university has risen from the ashes, embracing change and shaping the future. As you stand here, before Boston University, remember its story of resilience, its commitment to inclusivity, and its legacy of innovation. It’s a story that continues to unfold, with each new generation of students who walk these grounds.