Columbia University

Columbia University in the City of New York was founded in 1754 as King's College by royal charter of King George II of England. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the fifth oldest in the United States.

From its beginnings in a schoolhouse in lower Manhattan, Columbia University has grown to encompass two principal campuses: the historic, neoclassical campus in the Morningside Heights neighborhood and the modern Medical Center further uptown, in Washington Heights. Today, Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting pathbreaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, and a school of continuing education.  Sixty-four Nobel laureates have taught or studied at Columbia. Each year, the faculty of approximately 4,000 teaches more than 23,000 students from over 150 countries.

Columbians, both alumni and faculty members, have consistently been ahead of their time. Their remarkable contributions in virtually every field have helped shape thinking on the most important issues facing humankind.

Over the years, Columbia has played a critically important role in New York City as an intellectual leader and as a partner to numerous institutions in the sciences, arts, and public policy. Now marking its 250th anniversary, Columbia continues to be the quintessential urban university, a vibrant and involved intellectual and social community dedicated to learning and to the advancement of knowledge.

http://www.columbia.edu/