what happened in the founding of the university of georgia
The founding of the University of Georgia is a significant event in the history of education in the United States. Here are the key details:
1. Establishment: The University of Georgia was established on January 27, 1785, by the Georgia General Assembly in Athens, Georgia. It is the oldest public university in the United States.
2. Land Grant: The Assembly assigned 40,000 acres of land to the university to support its operations, making it the first public university to be chartered by a state.
3. Abraham Baldwin: Abraham Baldwin, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and a leader in Georgia's political scene, was instrumental in the founding of the university. He drafted the charter and served as the university's first president.
4. First Students: The university initially enrolled 40 students, and classes began in 1801. These students received classical education in subjects like Greek, Latin, mathematics, rhetoric, and morality.
5. Curriculum Expansion: Over the years, the university expanded its curriculum to include more subjects like agriculture, law, medicine, and engineering.
6. Name Change: In 1801, the University of Georgia was named Franklin College after Benjamin Franklin. This name remained until the university was rechartered in 1841 and renamed the University of Georgia.
7. Early Growth: The university experienced gradual growth in the early 19th century, with notable figures like John Brown, Joseph Henry Lumpkin, and William Churchwell making significant contributions to its development.
8. Desegregation: UGA was racially segregated until 1961 when Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter became the first African American students to enroll, following a lengthy legal battle.
Today, the University of Georgia is a leading public research university with an extensive range of academic programs and renowned faculty.