“I will put a light on it.” This bold declaration by Charles Tufts in 1847 sparked the birth of Tufts University. He donated 20 acres of land. It was on Walnut Hill in Medford. This was one of the highest points in the Boston area.
Tufts University stands as a testament to vision and progress. It is now a leading research university. The Universalist Church founded Tufts College in 1852. They wanted a non-sectarian institution. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts chartered Tufts College. It aimed to promote virtue, piety and learning.
Hosea Ballou II became Tufts’ first president in 1853. The first building on campus was completed. It was named Ballou Hall. Instruction began with seven students and four professors. By 1861, Tufts had 36 alumni and 53 enrolled students.
Tufts embraced coeducation early on. It opened its doors to women in 1892. Initially, women were segregated into Jackson College in 1910. This separation ended in 1980. Forrester Blanchard Washington became the first identified Black graduate in 1909.
Growth defined Tufts in the late 19th and 20th centuries. It evolved into a top-tier research university. Schools of medicine, engineering, and dental medicine were established. The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy followed. Tufts College became Tufts University in 1954.
Jean Mayer’s presidency in the 1970s marked a period of expansion. The endowment increased six-fold. The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine was established.
The official college seal bears the motto “Pax et Lux” meaning “Peace and Light.” The school colors of brown and blue were selected in 1876. Jumbo the Elephant became the mascot in 1885. P.T. Barnum donated Jumbo’s stuffed hide. It stood in Barnum Hall until a fire in 1975.
During World War II, Tufts participated in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. The Boston Red Sox held their 1943 spring training at Tufts. This was due to travel restrictions.
Tufts maintains a campus in Talloires, France. It is at the Tufts European Center. This is a former Benedictine priory. It hosts study programs and international conferences.
Today, Tufts is a student-centered research university. It serves thousands of students across multiple campuses. Tufts no longer has a religious affiliation. Students of all backgrounds worship in sacred spaces like Goddard Chapel.
In 2022, the Medford/Tufts station opened as part of the Green Line Extension project. Sunil Kumar became Tufts’ fourteenth president in 2023. He is the first person of color to hold the position. From its humble beginnings to its current status, Tufts University continues to shine as a beacon of learning and innovation. Charles Tufts’ vision of a “light on the hill” endures.