University of Virginia
After serving as president for eight years [1801-1809], Thomas Jefferson returned home to Virginia in hopes of building a University. Jefferson started drawing his plans for the school, and built ten houses that he called pavilions. The school was founded in 1819, and in March of 1825 the University of Virginia opened its doors to 123 students. Today the students of the University of Virginia live by an Honor Code that was created over two hundred years ago. The students used to sign the Honor Pledge before taking a test, or writing a paper as a promise that they had not, or would not cheat.
“The Honor Code A “pledge” is a promise. “Honor” means that everything you do makes you feel proud of yourself and makes others believe you are a good person.”
The University has been run by seven presidents over the years, and John T. Casteen III has held the position since August of 1990. In 1888 the school implemented orange and blue as the official athletic colors, and the official mascot is the Cavalier also referred to as the Wahoos.
U.S News and World Report ranks The University of Virginia as number 23 in the best national universities, public and private category. It is currently tied with Georgetown. It also holds the number 2 spot for the best public university for the 2008 year. For the past eleven years it has ranked as either number one, or number two in this category.
Fast Facts:
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia [approximately 120 miles southwest of Washington DC]
Colors: Orange, and Blue
Mascot: The Cavalier
Current President: John T. Casteen
Enrolled Students: 20,387
Faculty: 11,962