Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Making a difference through

The Engaged Liberal Arts.

Making an Impact

From bonding with classmates to collaborating with professors, Columbian College students recalled their fondest memories as they prepared to receive their 2021 degrees.

Learning & Discovery

Kitchen Chemistry

When COVID limited students’ access to campus labs, LaKeisha McClary and Ling Hao designed a do-it-yourself solution for an “authentic research experience.”

Faculty Spotlight

Can Classics Teach COVID Lessons?

For her Pandemic Literature class, Lynn Westwater scoured classic novels and centuries-old chronicles for stories that reflect today’s struggles.

Celebration Week Is Here!

Check out the Columbian College celebration website for details on how to access the virtual doctoral, graduate and undergraduate ceremonies and download fun graphics for social media. Congratulations, 2021 graduates!

Visit the CCAS Celebration Site

Virtual instruction is currently underway and we remain confident that we will be in person to the fullest extent possible for the fall 2021 semester. Learn more about our enhanced health and safety efforts as well as our response to COVID-19. For information and resources on COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website.

Visit GW's COVID-19 Information Page

Celebrating Our Bicentennial

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of GW and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Learn how we are celebrating this historic milestone.

Visit the GW Bicentennial Website

From our first building on "College Hill" to an internationally recognized research center, browse our timeline of Columbian College highlights since 1821.

See Our Historical Timeline

Read about our remarkable history of learning, research and discovery, the landmark achievements of our alumni and our vision for the future.

Read 200 Years and Counting

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences

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Discover Columbian College

Alexandria Cannon
“Most history classes, you are in a discussion room talking about it, but with George Washington and his World, we get to take the class on his estate and relive through what he did.”

Alexandria Cannon
BA '20
History
George Sangiolo
"The student body comes from very different backgrounds , and you can always find someone studying something you know nothing about.“

George Sangiolo
BS '18
Biophysics
Sarah Wagner
"As anthropologists, we go into communities and spend time trying to understand lived experiences. We tell people's stories. And we have an obligation to do it right"

Sarah Wagner
Associate Professor of Anthropology
Zachary Brown
"I chose GW because of the amazing faculty members in the department. I chose American Studies because of the relative amount of freedom the discipline provides in research."

Zachary Brown
PhD '27
American Studies
Debbie Wheeler
"That degree has helped me in my entire career and I am still working with the same people I went to college with many years ago. I recommend this college to anyone"

Debbie Wheeler
MS '84
Telecommunications Operations