A Capitol University

By James Pynn

The District of Columbia, comprised of land gifted to the federal government from the venerable states of Virginia and Maryland, has never ranked highly in terms of cultural impact. Though the legislation from the District affects every citizen, our collective cultural identity has been shaped by such megalopolises as New York City and Los Angeles, and to some extent by cities like Boston, Miami and Chicago. The District is the capitol and for most people little more than that.

There has always been a desire to make the capitol more culturally relevant. George Washington personally lobbied for the construction of a university in the District of Columbia. Though he was unable to raise the necessary funds or wrangle the Congressional legislation to erect the university in his lifetime, his hopes were realized in 1821. During the tenure of President James Monroe, the foundations were laid for a capitol university.

In 1824, the first commencement took place, marked by the presence of such luminaries as President Monroe, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, and the Marquis de Lafayette among others. Indeed this ceremony in and of itself shrouded the university in a cloak of prestige few other institutions have enjoyed. Though the university enjoyed a robust enrollment for many years, it was forced to close when the Civil War broke out. For the duration of the war it was used as an Army barracks.

As it was a significant factor in the life of George Washington, and indeed a good many of the Founding Fathers, the capitol university has become a repository for the belief and iconography of Freemasonry. To be sure, the universitys charter specifically states it is to formally recognize the contributions of Masons in the United States. The architecture of the university prominently displays the universally recognized symbols of Freemasonry, namely the compass and square, as well as the all-seeing-eye of Providence.

From the dreams of our First Father, this university has become a thriving reality. Indeed, it even bears his name. As a private, coeducational, non-sectarian institution it is renown for its international affairs curriculum, as well as its international affairs, political science, and political communications programs. Its graduate programs in engineering, international affairs, medicine, and law rank amongst the most well-regarded in the county.

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