Bryn Mawr College: A Legacy of Women's Education and Academic Excellence

Bryn Mawr College, a private women's liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, stands as a historic institution with a rich legacy of academic rigor, social activism, and commitment to women's education. Founded in 1885 as a Quaker institution, Bryn Mawr is a member of the Seven Sister colleges, a group of historically women's colleges in the United States. The college is named after the town of Bryn Mawr, which translates from Welsh as "big hill". The town itself was renamed in the mid-nineteenth century by the Pennsylvania Railroad Corporation, drawing inspiration from an estate granted to Rowland Ellis by William Penn in the 1680s. The historic district encompasses Morris Avenue and Yarrow Street.

A Foundation of Firsts

Bryn Mawr College was largely funded through the bequest of Joseph W. Taylor, and its first president was James Rhoads. The college distinguished itself early on by being one of the first institutions of higher education in the United States to offer graduate degrees, including doctorates, to women. The inaugural class comprised 36 undergraduate women and eight graduate students. In 1912, Bryn Mawr further solidified its pioneering spirit by establishing the first doctoral program in social work in the United States, housed within the Department of Social Economy and Social Research, which later became the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in 1970.

Commitment to Social Justice and Inclusion

From 1921 to 1938, the Bryn Mawr campus hosted the Bryn Mawr Summer School for Women Workers in Industry, reflecting the college's dedication to the labor education movement and the women's labor movement. This commitment to social justice continues to evolve. On February 9, 2015, the college's board of trustees approved a recommendation to expand the undergraduate applicant pool to include transgender women and intersex individuals identifying as women, making Bryn Mawr the fourth women's college in the United States to adopt such a policy. Bryn Mawr "recognizes that gender is fluid and that traditional notions of gender identity and expression can be limiting" and has a policy of accepting nonbinary students who were assigned female at birth.

Campus Life and Traditions

The majority of Bryn Mawr students reside on campus in residence halls, many of which were designed by Cope & Stewardson in the Collegiate Gothic style, reminiscent of Cambridge University. These halls are named after county towns in Wales, including Brecon, Denbigh (1891), Merion (1885), Radnor (1887), and Pembroke East and West (1892). Rhoads North and South are named after the college's first president, James E. Rhoads, and Rockefeller after its donor, John D. Rockefeller. Erdman, designed by architect Louis Kahn, opened in 1965. Students can also opt to live in Batten House, an environmentally friendly co-op. Perry House, originally the Spanish language house, became the Black Cultural Center in the 1970s. Glenmede, formerly graduate student housing, is an estate located about a half mile from the main campus which at one point was available housing for undergraduate students.

Architectural and Cultural Landmarks

The campus boasts several architectural and cultural landmarks. In 1908, John C. Olmsted designed a private garden for M. Carey Thomas, which was later modified and renamed the Blanca Noel Taft Memorial Garden. The Marjorie Walter Goodhart Theater houses a vaulted auditorium designed by Arthur Ingersoll Meigs, along with smaller performance spaces, practice rooms, and the Office for the Arts. The Old Library, formerly named after M. Carey Thomas, served as the primary campus library until the Mariam Coffin Canaday Library opened in 1970. The Great Hall, designed by Walter Cope in 1901, is a space for performances, lectures, and gatherings. The Cloisters, a large open courtyard enclosed by the Old Library, holds the cremated remains of M. Carey Thomas and Emmy Noether. The Old Library was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1991. The Rhys Carpenter Art and Archaeology Library, designed by Henry Myerberg, opened in 1997 and features a four-story atrium and a grassy roof used for outdoor events. The Bryn Mawr College Deanery, the former residence of M. Carey Thomas, was demolished in 1968 to make way for Canaday Library.

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Traditions and Student Life

Bryn Mawr's traditions are an integral part of student life. Parade Night marks the beginning of the academic year, with the freshman class running to Taylor Hall while upperclassmen shower them with confetti. Step Sings, Lantern Night, and Welcome the First Years Week (formerly Hell Week) are other cherished traditions. May Day, celebrated on the Sunday after the last day of classes, features strawberries and cream, a parade, dancing around the Maypole, and student performances. Dar Williams's song "As Cool As I Am" has become associated with the Mayhole celebration. The traditions are organized by two elected Traditions Mistexes. Minor traditions include leaving offerings to the Athena statue in the Great Hall, avoiding the Senior Steps and Senior Row unless a senior, and avoiding splitting the Friendship Poles under the Pembroke Dorms arch.

Academics and Curriculum

Students at Bryn Mawr are required to complete divisional requirements in the social sciences, natural sciences (including lab skills), and humanities. They must also complete a year of a foreign language, fulfill a quantitative skills requirement, and participate in an Emily Balch Seminar. In 1972, the college established a year-long post-baccalaureate pre-medical program for career changers. Bryn Mawr offers more than 35 undergraduate majors spanning the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts. Two co-educational graduate schools offer selective master’s and Ph.D. programs across the Arts, Sciences, and Social Work.

Sustainability Initiatives

Bryn Mawr is committed to environmental sustainability. The college has signed the American College and University President's Climate Commitment, agreeing to adhere to LEED silver standards for new buildings, purchase Energy Star products, and promote public transportation. The dining halls prioritize local and organic offerings, recycle in all areas, and convert used fry oil into bio-diesel fuel.

Rankings and Distinctions

In the edition of Best Colleges, Bryn Mawr College is ranked among the top National Liberal Arts Colleges and Best Undergraduate Teaching programs. The college has a total undergraduate enrollment of over 1,300 students, and the campus spans 135 acres. The student-faculty ratio is 8:1. Bryn Mawr College accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

Career and Civic Engagement

Bryn Mawr’s Career and Civic Engagement Center (CCEC) prepares students to become effective leaders by emphasizing experiential education and alumnae involvement. The CCEC offers fieldwork experience through its Praxis learning programs and provides assistance with job strategy, resume building, and networking. The center also facilitates interviews and events where students can connect with potential employers. Funding is available for summer internships, research opportunities, and study abroad programs.

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Accessibility and Transportation

Philadelphia International Airport is located 20 miles from campus. Transportation options include taxis, limousines, and trains. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses serve Philadelphia from all over the country. The campus is a short walk from the Bryn Mawr train station.

Notable Alumnae and Faculty

Bryn Mawr College has produced a remarkable array of alumnae who have made significant contributions in various fields. These include Drew Gilpin Faust, the first woman president of Harvard University; Hanna Holborn Gray, the first woman president of a major research university (University of Chicago); modernist poets Hilda "H.D." Doolittle and Marianne Moore; Nobel Peace Prize winner Emily Greene Balch; and actress Katharine Hepburn. Notable faculty members have included Woodrow Wilson and chemists Arthur C. Cope and Karl Folkers.

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