The University of Virginia

A Brief History

The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. Jefferson also designed the original campus, including the famous Rotunda (above). As Ada Louise Huxtable has noted in the New York Times, the University is "probably the single most beautiful and effective architectural group of its kind in the country, or in the history of American building." In 1976, the American Institute of Architects proclaimed it one of the outstanding achievements in American architecture.

The City of Charlottesville

The University is located in Charlottesville, a city with a metropolitan area population of slightly over 100,000. The area is known for its natural beauty and historical attractions. Charlottesville also offers a substantial range of cultural resources, including a community symphony orchestra, light opera company, and other instrumental and vocal groups, as well as several art galleries including the University's Bayly Museum. Numerous speakers, musicians and performing art professionals visit the community each year.

Local Flavor

Each year, the area attracts thousands of tourists who come to see the Grounds of the University, visit the homes of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, tour local wineries, and enjoy the scenic views and outdoor recreation offered by the Blue Ridge/Shenandoah mountain range.

The University Today

The University is consistently rated among the best public institutions in the country. In its Selective Guide to Colleges, the New York Times judged the University of Virginia as the nation's best public university and one of the three best overall. Dubbed a "public Ivy", the University has achieved national stature for its teaching, research, and public service.

The University has more than 2100 faculty, including over 330 holders of endowed professorships. In addition, around 8000 staff members are employed in the University and in the University Hospital. There are approximately 18,000 students: 11,500 undergraduates and 6,500 graduate and professional students. As recently as 1970, the undergraduate population was almost entirely male, but now females are in a slight majority.

The University is renowned for its Medical, Law and Graduate Business Schools, and for the quality of many of its humanities and social science departments. The English department, for example, was ranked third in a 1980 national study of graduate programs. Over the last several years, the science and engineering departments in the University have also seen dramatic improvement. More detailed information may be found in the UVa home page.