 George
Washington’s College Diploma
On June
24, 1789, Washington College bestowed upon President
George Washington the first honorary degree awarded to a
sitting president of the United States. This degree of
Doctor of Laws reflects the deep respect and gratitude
that the College held – and still holds – for its
namesake and founding benefactor. In a 1782 letter to
Washington, Dr. William Smith, the College’s founder,
described the newly chartered institution as "a seminary
of universal learning expressly dedicated to your name,
with a view of instructing and animating the youth of
many future generations to admire and to imitate these
public virtues and patriot-labours, which have created a
private monument to you in the heart of every good
citizen." Washington gave 50 guineas to the College,
served on its Board of Visitors and Governors, and paid
a visit to the campus in 1784.
The
original diploma is now in the Library of Congress. Dr.
Smith, along with two of members of the Board – U.S.
Senator John Henry and Congressman Joshua Seney –
presented it to President Washington at his office in
New York City. Written in Latin, the document extols
Washington as the "Champion of Liberty" and "most
beloved Father of His Country." It is signed by Smith
and the other four members of the Washington College
faculty. It also bears the red wax seal of the College,
with a design (based on Washington’s personal coat of
arms) that had been created by Elizabeth Peale, an early
faculty member and scion of the famous family of
painters.
In a
letter of thanks to the Board for the honorary degree,
President Washington wrote: "I sincerely pray that the
Great Author of the Universe may smile upon the
institution and make it an extensive blessing."
George
Washington (who had never received a college education)
was the first of several U.S. presidents to receive an
honorary degree here; Washington College’s other
presidential "alumni" include Herbert Hoover (1927),
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933), Harry Truman (1946),
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1954), and George H.W. Bush
(1999). Through more than two centuries, Washington
College has also kept faith with its mission of
imparting the values and virtues of its namesake to "the
youth of many future generations."
Translation of Diploma -
Note: This translation was made by Jacob Spencer and
Adam Goodheart. They point out that William Smith
appears to have adopted some of the phraseology from the
conventional formulae of Oxford and Cambridge diplomas,
slightly altered to suit Washington College.
We, the
President and Faculty of Professors of Washington
College, in the Republic of Maryland in America, to all
those to whom these presents may come, bid Eternal
Greeting under God:
Whereas,
Academic Ranks have been wisely instituted by our
Ancestors, for this end: so that public Honors may be
awarded to Men who have distinguished themselves for
their Piety, Learning, and Service to the Nation;
and
Whereas, it must be clear, to us and the entire world,
that
George Washington, President of the United States of
America, not only has distinguished himself for his
Piety, Learning, and Service to his Nation (as well as
to all Mankind); but also has proven himself—in both War
and Peace, being ever zealous for the common Welfare of
all, throughout the gravest Tribulations—to be a most
illustrious Citizen, a most able Champion of Liberty, a
most beloved Father of his Country;
We, therefore, moved by all these considerations, and by
virtue of the honorable Decree of the Visitors and
Governors of this College, in public Council assembled,
on this twenty-fourth day in the Month of June, 1789,
have granted and resolved (by unanimous Consent), that
this extraordinary and celebrated Man be made Doctor of
Laws;
And we entreat Him to use and enjoy, by virtue of this
Diploma, all the Rights, Privileges, and Honors
appertaining unto the aforementioned Rank among his
fellow graduates of Washington College—
In witness whereof, we, the undersigned, have set our
hands to this document, affixed with the Official Seal
of the College, in the Year and on the date aforesaid.
William
Smith, S.T.P., President of the College
Colin
Ferguson, D.D., Professor of Language and Mathematics
Peregrine
Letherbury, Professor of Laws
Samuel
Armor, Professor of Logic and Moral Philosophy
Samuel
Keene, Professor of English and Oratory
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