Emory University, nestled in the verdant Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, stands today as a beacon of academic excellence, a world-class research institution, and a leader in healthcare. Its Gothic spires and limestone buildings evoke a sense of timeless scholarly pursuit, yet beneath this polished exterior lies a history marked by ambition, struggle, philanthropy, and transformative vision. The journey from a small, Methodist-affiliated college in rural Georgia to a globally recognized university is a testament to the enduring power of education and the remarkable generosity that has shaped its destiny.
The Genesis: A Vision in Oxford, Georgia (1836)
The story of Emory University begins not in the bustling metropolis of Atlanta, but in the quiet, agrarian setting of Oxford, Georgia. In the early 19th century, the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States was grappling with a pressing need: to educate its clergy and the laity within its rapidly expanding Southern congregations. A well-educated ministry was seen as crucial for the church’s spiritual and intellectual growth, and a morally grounded, learned citizenry essential for the health of the nascent republic.
Driven by this vision, the Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church embarked on an ambitious project: the creation of a college. On December 10, 1836, the Georgia General Assembly officially granted a charter for a new institution of higher learning. Named in honor of Bishop John Emory, a prominent and influential Methodist leader who had passed away earlier that year, the college was established in Oxford, Georgia. This location, chosen for its rural setting and perceived moral purity, was a strategic decision aimed at providing an environment free from the distractions and temptations of larger towns.
The college officially opened its doors to students in September 1838. Its early years were characterized by the principles of classical education, emphasizing subjects like Latin, Greek, mathematics, rhetoric, and moral philosophy. Like many institutions of its era, it even incorporated a "manual labor" component, where students were expected to engage in physical work to help defray costs and promote a strong work ethic. However, the manual labor system proved difficult to sustain and was eventually phased out.
Emory College, as it was then known, faced numerous challenges in its formative decades. Financial stability was a constant struggle, and the college weathered the economic downturns of the era with tenacity. The most significant disruption, however, came with the American Civil War. Many students and faculty left to join the Confederate cause, and the college’s resources were severely strained. Despite the immense hardship and the physical occupation of its campus by both Confederate and Union troops, Emory College remarkably managed to keep its doors open for a significant portion of the war, a testament to the dedication of its faculty and leadership.
The Reconstruction era brought new difficulties, but the college persevered, slowly rebuilding its student body and financial foundations. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Emory College had solidified its reputation as a respected regional institution, a source of educated leaders for Georgia and the wider South. Yet, a growing number of forward-thinking leaders within the Methodist Church and the college itself began to envision a grander future, one that transcended the limitations of a small rural college.
The Great Migration: A University Takes Shape in Atlanta (1915)
The turn of the 20th century marked a pivotal moment in Emory’s history. The burgeoning industrial and commercial hub of Atlanta was rapidly emerging as the undisputed capital of the New South, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth, access to resources, and a larger pool of potential students and faculty. The idea of expanding Emory College into a full-fledged university, complete with professional schools in medicine, law, and theology, began to gain traction.
This ambitious vision found its most ardent champion and generous benefactor in Asa Griggs Candler, a prominent Atlanta businessman and founder of The Coca-Cola Company. Candler, a devout Methodist, believed deeply in the transformative power of education and shared the Methodist Church’s desire to establish a premier university in the South.
The stage was set for a dramatic contest. In 1914, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, decided to establish a university, inviting proposals from cities across the South. Atlanta, championed by Candler and other civic leaders, quickly emerged as a strong contender. Candler’s offer was unprecedented: a substantial financial gift of $1 million (an enormous sum at the time) and a sprawling tract of land in the picturesque Druid Hills neighborhood, designed by the famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Despite fierce competition from other cities and a strong desire by some to keep the college in Oxford, the decision was made. In 1915, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, officially voted to establish its university in Atlanta. This move, often referred to as "The Great Migration," was met with mixed emotions. While it promised a future of expanded influence and academic ambition, it also meant leaving behind the beloved Oxford campus, which would continue to operate as a separate, undergraduate college of Emory University.
Thus, on September 15, 1915, Emory University was formally chartered and incorporated in Atlanta. Asa Candler’s vision, combined with the architectural genius of Henry Hornbostel, began to take physical form. Hornbostel, renowned for his work on Carnegie Mellon University, designed a master plan for the Druid Hills campus that would become a hallmark of Emory’s identity. His choice of collegiate Gothic architecture, characterized by its stately limestone buildings, arched gateways, and soaring spires, created an immediate sense of permanence, tradition, and academic gravitas. The intention was to build a "university in a forest," integrating the natural landscape with the imposing yet harmonious structures.
Under the leadership of its first president, Warren Akin Candler (Asa’s brother), Emory University rapidly expanded its academic offerings. The School of Medicine, which had roots in the Atlanta Medical College founded in 1854, became a foundational pillar. The Schools of Law and Theology (now Candler School of Theology) were established, quickly followed by schools of dentistry, nursing, and business. This rapid diversification transformed Emory from a liberal arts college into a comprehensive university, poised to address the professional and intellectual needs of a rapidly modernizing society.
Maturation and Expansion: Navigating the 20th Century
The mid-20th century saw Emory continue its steady ascent. Despite the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II, the university adapted and grew. During the war, Emory played a vital role in national defense, hosting military training programs and engaging in scientific research. The post-war boom brought an influx of students, including returning veterans, further solidifying Emory’s position as a leading educational institution in the South.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s presented both challenges and opportunities for Emory. As a private institution in the segregated South, Emory was not subject to federal desegregation mandates in the same way public universities were. However, under the leadership of President Sanford S. Atwood, Emory made the courageous decision to admit African American students, beginning with its graduate and professional schools in 1962 and extending to undergraduates in 1963. This decision, made ahead of many other Southern universities, was a powerful statement of the university’s commitment to justice and equality, albeit one that sparked controversy and debate at the time.
Academically, Emory strengthened its departments across the liberal arts and sciences, attracting distinguished faculty and fostering a growing research enterprise. Its medical center continued to expand, becoming a regional leader in patient care and medical innovation. By the 1970s, Emory was a respected, but still largely regional, university. Its endowment, while respectable, did not compare to the wealthiest institutions in the Northeast or on the West Coast. All that was about to change with a gift that would redefine its trajectory.
The Woodruff Era: A Transformative Gift and Global Prominence (1979-Present)
In 1979, Emory University received a gift that would fundamentally transform its future and propel it onto the national and international stage. Robert W. Woodruff, another former leader of The Coca-Cola Company and a notoriously private philanthropist, made an unprecedented donation of $105 million in Coca-Cola stock to the university. This was, at the time, the largest single gift ever made to an institution of higher education in American history.
Woodruff, a close friend of then-Emory President James T. Laney, had long admired the university’s commitment to excellence and its potential. His gift, channeled through the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, was not simply a financial windfall; it was a strategic investment in Emory’s future. It allowed the university to dramatically increase its endowment, recruit world-class faculty, invest in cutting-edge research facilities, enhance libraries, and significantly expand its scholarship programs.
The Woodruff gift was a catalyst for exponential growth. Emory’s research enterprise blossomed, particularly in the health sciences, where the Woodruff Health Sciences Center became a powerhouse of discovery and patient care. The university’s academic profile soared, attracting top students and scholars from around the globe. Rankings improved, and Emory quickly gained recognition as a leading research university, a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).
Subsequent gifts from the Woodruff Foundation, totaling well over a billion dollars over the decades, have continued to fuel Emory’s expansion and ambition. These investments have supported the growth of new academic programs, the construction of state-of-the-art facilities, and the development of a globally recognized healthcare system that includes Emory University Hospital, one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers.
Today, Emory University stands as a testament to its enduring founding principles and the extraordinary philanthropy that has shaped its path. It is a vibrant, diverse community dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, the advancement of human health, and service to society. From its humble origins as a small Methodist college in rural Oxford, Emory has evolved into a global institution, a dynamic intellectual hub that continues to push the boundaries of discovery and educate the leaders of tomorrow. Its history is a powerful narrative of resilience, vision, and the profound impact of strategic generosity.
