1900-1915
The Brown School's history at Washington University dates back to 1909 when the University became the home of the struggling St. Louis School of Social Economy. From 1909-10, the School occupied space in the Olivia Building at 1023 N. Grand Avenue (picture to right).
The School became an official department of Washington University in 1913, but a study found that the community had little interest in the School. The University of Missouri took over direction of the School and renamed it the Missouri School of Social Economy.
As social work education took shape on the national level, Washington University launched a Training Course for Social Workers. Frank J. Bruno, a professor from University of Minnesota lead the University's efforts in this area.
Betty Bofinger Brown, wife of Brown Shoe Company founder George Warren Brown, provided funds to permanently endow the George Warren Brown Department of Social Work and provide for the creation of Brown Hall, the first building erected for the purpose of social work education.
In 1945, the department became a school, offering a BS in Public Administration and the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Benjamin E. Youngdahl, another Minnesota transplant, became dean. During his tenure, the School developed its first 10-year strategic plan, started its doctoral program, and became the first school at the University to admit African American students.
During this period, the School's International Programs blossomed. The School also launched the Benjamin E. Youngdahl lecture. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey delivered the first lecture (picture to right).
The School prospered under the leadership of Dean Shanti Khinduka. Technology arrived with a new computer lab opening in 1983 offering access to information about social work field placements. A new building, Goldfarb Hall, more than doubled the School's space.
New collaborations characterize the current era. Under the leadership of Dean Edward F. Lawlor, new partnerships with academic institutions in China, India, and Chile, offer students and faculty new opportunities for international exchanges (picture to right).
During this time period, the School is experiencing a surge of interest, with inquiries and applications to educational programs at an all time high.
Interdisciplinary work, which has always been a part of the rich history of the school, gains even more attention with the launch of the school's Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program. With the addition of new public health research faculty and staff, along with new grants, the School nearly doubles in size.
The School's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is reacredited for eight more years by the Council on Social Work Education. This year also marked the graduation of the School's first Master of Public Health (MPH) class, allowing the School to complete the process for accreditation in public health.