Washington College Tuition And Fees Up 4.24 Percent

Third Lowest Increase Since 1976 Marks Continued Modest Trend

Chestertown, MD — Tuition and student fees at Washington College will rise 4.24 percent for the upcoming academic year. The increase of $1,100 will bring the total bill for the 2000-2001 academic year at Washington College—including tuition, room, board and mandatory fees—to $27,040. The current cost is $25,940.

Officials said that effective cost-control measures and strong fund-raising efforts contributed to the moderate increase. Washington College seeks to ensure up-to-date facilities with the latest technologies for its students. Near completion on campus is Goldstein Hall, the College's newest classroom and faculty office building. It will house 24 faculty offices, three classrooms, five seminar rooms, two teaching labs, and one lecture hall. The Writing Center, Math Workshop, and Study Skills offices will also be located at Goldstein Hall, providing a central location for students. Also on tap over the next four years is construction of new residence halls and renovation of those existing to meet the expectations of post-Millennial college students.

College President John S. Toll said, "We have endeavored to hold down the increase in the cost of Washington College education and to provide financial aid to every student who needs it. We're pleased by the increase in the number of able applicants for admission this year and are working to see that the unique Washington College education is available to those who are well qualified."

Many of those well-qualified students benefit from a major element of Washington College's financial aid package, the Washington Scholars program, now in its fourth year. The Washington Scholars program makes $40,000 in scholarship money available to all Washington College students who were inducted into their high school National Honor Society and maintain a B average.

Namesake Plans to Commemmorate Washington's Death

Chestertown, MD — On December 14 an unprecedented national event will take place. Across the country, bells will toll and flags will fly at half-staff in observance of the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s death. The first president’s educational namesake, Washington College, and the community that surrounds the small liberal arts and sciences college will hold a spirited commemoration of Washington’s death on the College’s Chestertown, Md., campus. Beginning at noon, the observance includes a 21-gun salute and musical tributes composed in honor of Washington, a wreath-laying with color guard accompaniment from the Maryland Air National Guard, and a solemn tolling of bells on campus at 1 p.m.

The ceremony at Washington College brings to an end an 18-month celebration of Washington’s life that brought to campus former U.S. president George Bush, the late John F. Kennedy Jr., presidential scholars Doris Kearns Goodwin and Richard Norton Smith, and Smithsonian curator Richard G. Doty.

College President John S. Toll says, "In his commitment to the ideals of scholarship, character, service, and leadership, George Washington has served as a historic role model for Washington College students."

Although most Americans believe they know everything there is to know about Washington, few realize that Washington College was founded in 1782 with his gift of 50 guineas and his permission in writing to use his name, the only school to earn that distinction. Washington served on the College’s Board of Visitors and Governors for five years and received an honorary degree from the College in 1789. Founded as the first college in the new nation, Washington College ranks among the country’s top 150 selective liberal arts colleges.

"With his gift of 50 guineas Washington invested in the future of a young democracy, knowing the new nation would require an educated citizenry in order to succeed," said President Toll.

The Washington Scholars program, a merit scholarship program that grants recipients $40,000 over four years at the College, was founded to carry on that vision. The program is open to members of the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society; 52 percent of the College’s 1,150 students were NHS members in high school.

Seventy-three percent of a recent graduating class intended to earn advanced degrees, while 35 percent were enrolled in Ph.D. or master’s degree programs to begin in the fall after their graduation.