Founded in 1836 Emory University stands proudly in Atlanta. Originally Emory College it was named for Methodist bishop John Emory. The Methodist Episcopal Church established it in Oxford Georgia. Its move to Druid Hills near downtown Atlanta was a pivotal moment. Asa Griggs Candler founder of The Coca-Cola Company donated land. This large donation along with others from the Candler Woodruff and Goizueta families led to the nickname Coca-Cola University.
Emory University’s history is intertwined with significant events. It closed during the Civil War serving as a hospital and Union Army headquarters. The university played a role in both World Wars. The Emory Unit a medical unit of faculty and alumni served in France during World War I. Emory alumni participated in World War II’s European and Asia-Pacific theaters. One graduate Lieutenant Commander James L Starnes was on the USS Missouri during the Japanese surrender. Another Emory alumnus Bobby Jones the renowned golfer served in the Battle of Normandy. A professor Alfred A Weinstein was a Japanese prisoner of war. His memoir Barbed Wire Surgeon is a powerful account. Even Kiyoshi Tanimoto a Candler School of Theology graduate played a part. He is featured in John Hersey’s Hiroshima and organized the Hiroshima Maidens reconstructive surgery program.
Emory embraced significant social change. It became coeducational in 1953. The university challenged Georgia laws denying tax-exempt status to integrated universities. The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled in Emory’s favor. Marvin S Arrington Sr became the university’s first full-time African American student. Emory established one of the nation’s first African-American studies programs. Its commitment to human rights is evident. President James T Laney was an outspoken advocate. He even hosted Kim Dae-jung in exile who later became South Korea’s president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Emory also awarded its President Medal to Rosa Parks. John Lewis a leader of the civil rights movement delivered a keynote address and received an honorary degree.
Today Emory University is a leading research institution. It boasts a substantial endowment and high research activity. Its partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is long-standing. They collaborate on global and national prevention and research initiatives. The university’s role in battling the Ebola outbreak was crucial. Emory’s contributions extend to education. It offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. Its library system is extensive holding millions of volumes and rare materials. Its impact on global health is notable. Emory’s alumni have achieved great things including a Vice President two Prime Ministers and numerous other leaders. Emory University’s story is one of academic excellence social progress and global impact. A truly remarkable institution.