Virginia

The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson considered this to be one of his greatest achievements. He actually designed the Academical Village, a terraced green space surrounded by residential and academic buildings, gardens, and the majestic center Point, the Rotunda. The Rotunda stands at the north end of the lawn and is the most recognizable symbol of the University. It was primarily inspired by the Pantheon in Rome but is half the height and width of the Pantheon. Jefferson recruited the first faculty and even planned the curriculum for the university.

Jefferson had a vision for a new kind of university, rather than one being for professions in a classroom and pulpit exclusively, his vision was one more dedicated to educating leaders in practical affairs and public service. It was the first in the United States to use the elective course system and the first nonsectarian university. With a faculty of eight and a student body numbering sixty-eight, the University opened for classes in 1825. Jefferson took great pains in recruiting the most highly qualified faculty with three from the United States and five of whom were found in England. Interestingly enough most of the students were not Virginians, but mainly came from the American South and West.