Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences

Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. It is the core liberal arts and sciences school of Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876 as the university's original academic division. The school was renamed in 1992 to honor philanthropist Zanvyl Krieger, a prominent Baltimore businessman and alumnus. It encompasses the foundational undergraduate programs and a wide array of graduate departments central to the university's research mission.

History

The school originated with the 1876 founding of Johns Hopkins University, which was modeled after the German research university system exemplified by institutions like the University of Heidelberg. Its first president, Daniel Coit Gilman, emphasized the unity of research and teaching, attracting pioneering scholars such as Basil Lanneau Gildersleeve and J. J. Sylvester. For much of its history, it was simply known as the Faculty of Philosophy, overseeing both undergraduate and graduate studies in the arts and sciences. The transformative gift from Zanvyl Krieger, facilitated by his friendship with university president Steven Muller, led to its renaming and provided substantial endowment support for faculty and programs.

Academics

The school offers a rigorous curriculum leading to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, emphasizing foundational knowledge and independent research through initiatives like the Dean's Undergraduate Research Award. It grants graduate degrees including the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy, with many programs consistently ranked among the nation's best by sources like U.S. News & World Report. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged through centers like the Alexander Grass Humanities Institute and the Ralph S. O'Connor Sustainable Energy Institute. The academic philosophy stresses close collaboration between undergraduates and renowned research faculty, continuing the legacy of Daniel Coit Gilman.

Departments and programs

Core disciplines are organized into over thirty departments, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, History, English, Philosophy, and Political Science. Distinctive interdisciplinary programs include Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Biophysics, and Museum Studies. The school also houses unique research entities such as the William H. Miller III Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Language and culture studies are supported by departments like German and Romance Languages and Literatures and the Department of Comparative Thought and Literature.

Notable faculty and alumni

The faculty includes numerous distinguished members such as Nobel laureates Adam Riess (Physics) and Carol Greider (Physiology or Medicine), Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Megan Marshall, and philosopher Richard Bett. Renowned alumni span diverse fields, including U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, author John Barth, television journalist Wolf Blitzer, and mathematician Cathleen Synge Morawetz. Other prominent graduates are former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, novelist Alice McDermott, and theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson. The school's alumni also include leaders in government like former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner.

Facilities and resources

Primary operations are centered on the Homewood Campus in Baltimore, with key buildings including Gilman Hall, Mergenthaler Hall, and the Brody Learning Commons. Major research facilities include the Bloomberg Center for Physics and Astronomy, the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories, and specialized resources within the Milton S. Eisenhower Library system. Students and faculty utilize advanced instrumentation at the Integrated Imaging Center and the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum. The school also maintains close ties with other Johns Hopkins divisions like the School of Medicine and the Applied Physics Laboratory for collaborative research.

Category:Johns Hopkins University Category:Liberal arts colleges in Maryland Category:Educational institutions established in 1876