91勛圖厙

91勛圖厙History

91勛圖厙History Timeline

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The American College in Paris was founded in 1962. Follow along through 60 years of history, to discover the key moments that shaped our global community and established 91勛圖厙as a hub of engaged scholarship and liberal arts learning on the banks of the Seine.

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1962

ACP Charter Signed

Founder Dr. Lloyd A.泭DeLamatersigns the ACP charteron March 27, 1962,泭inaugurating the American College in Paris asthe firstAmericaninstitution of higher learning in the City of Light.泭

Classes Start in the American Church in Paris

Students study subjects such asart history, scienceand English literaturein rented classrooms in theAmerican Church in Paris,泭located on the Quai dOrsayin the 7tharrondissementon the banks of the Seine.泭

The Cultural Program Begins

MarieDeLamaterand Walter J. Brennan establish the Cultural Program,泭designedto act asan introduction to European culture and global perspectives. Students attend trips to museums,泭performances and cultural sites across France, and study tripseven go as far afieldasItaly, China and the Soviet Union.泭

First Student Council Established

Studentsquicklyformthe first student-run organization at ACP, the Student Council,泭in the fall of 1962.泭Jim Overton 64is voted its first President.泭

1963

The CBS News Report

A CBS Newsreport on American students in Paris immortalizes the Universitys early days, exploring students perspectives on French culture, language anddaily life. You can view archive footage of the.泭

1964

First Students Graduate from ACP

Forty students received their two-year diplomas, before transferring to US universities to finish their undergraduatedegrees.泭

1968

Student Protests Rock Paris

May 68 lives on in history as a time of protest and activism in the Parisian student community and across the world.泭

1969

Fugue, AUP's first student literary publication, is published

AUP's first-ever literary publication, Fugue, was published in the Spring of 1969. The editorial team worked out of the crowded basement of the American Church in Paris. Several faculty members also contributed to the magazine.

1971

ACP Rents the Bosquet Building

ACP first rents the former堯繫喧梗梭泭梯硃娶喧勳釵喝梭勳梗娶at 31, avenue Bosquet as its primary headquarters. The Universitywillformallypurchase the buildingin 2001, before eventually selling it in 2012.泭

1973

First Accreditation by MSCHE

ACP receives accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a status which it has held continuously since 1973. The latest reaccreditation certification was achieved in 2020.

1974

ACP Purchases Its First Computer

The automatic typewriter was awarded to the Department of Business and Economics, and was affectionately given the name Gloria.

ACP Becomes a Degree-Granting College

The American College in Paris is accredited as a four-year, degree-granting college, offering a variety of liberal arts majors and minors to students wishing to study in Paris.

1979

AMEX Caf矇 Opens

Initially born out of a student economics project, LAmerican Express Caf矇 found its home in the Bosquet building. Managed by students, this coffee house with no coffee offered a selection of snacks, sandwiches and beers, as well as a DJ playing the hottest hits on cassette.

The Planet Student Newspaper Founded

Long-running student newsletterThe Planetstarted life as abulletinin the Office of Communications, whichpublished its first issueon September 27, 1977.泭Two years later, andThe Planettook its place as a student-run publication, replacing the existing paperSans Culottes.Itwouldcontinue publishing until its final issue in October 2011.泭

1981

First Partnership with Parsons School of Design

The two institutionscollaborate to allow 35 students to study at ACP and receive BFA degrees from Parsons School of Design.泭The following year, 103 students benefit from the program.泭

1982

Paris/Atlantic Begins Publication

Student-run literary and creative arts journalParis/Atlanticpublishes its first issue in Fall semester 1982. The journal is, making it the longest-running student publication currently in production.

ACP Staff Help Establish Service Calvados

Then Dean of Students Steve Plummer and Director of Computer Services Jamie Gilroy help developService Calvados, Frances first major online service, which allowedusers torun several programming languages, send electronic messages, anddistribute commercial software.泭Calvados, named in honor of its target audience of Apple computer users runningdisk operating system(DOS) version 3.3,泭introduced a cohort of French digital pioneers to cyberspace.泭

1986

Inauguration of the Alumni Association

The Alumni Association of the American College in Paris was formally established in the Fall semester, open to all who had studied at the college since 1962.

1987

ACP Hosts First Worlds Fair

Students host what would become an annual food event and an integral part of the 91勛圖厙calendar. Participants share recipes from their home countries in a University-wide potluck.

1988

ACP Becomes 91勛圖厙

The American College in Paris officially becomes The American University of Paris, reflecting the evolving nature of its rigorous liberal arts degree offering. The change from in to of represented the intrinsic nature of an international education to the 91勛圖厙experience. Paris was more than a geographic location; it was part of the curriculum itself.

1990

91勛圖厙Constructs the Grenelle Building

The building is constructed on land leased from thegliseSaintJean. Today officially called theGrenelleTeaching and Mentoring Center, the building remains an importantfixtureof AUPs campus.泭

1992

Student Demonstration Stops AMEX Relocation Plans

Students and faculty protest the proposal to move the AMEX to the St. Dominique building, ultimately leading to the caf矇 keeping its home in Bosquet.

1996

91勛圖厙Launches Its First Website

The 91勛圖厙website appears for the first time, as the University establishes a presence in the emerging online world.泭

1997

The White Mask Theater Club Is Founded

White Mask organizes annual performances of plays and musicals performed and sometimes written by 91勛圖厙studentsand alumni.泭Memorable shows includeGrease,泭Chicago, andGuys and Dolls.泭The club remains active until the late 2010s.

1999

91勛圖厙Rents the Combes Building

AUPs campus expands with a new building at 6, rue du Colonel Combes. The building would be officially purchased in 2009.泭

2001

Students from 100 Nationalities Enrolled

For the first time, students from 100 different nationalities are enrolled in a single semester.泭

2002

Academic Resource Center (ARC) Founded

The Academic Resource Center opened its doors in the 200203 academic year, offeringpeer-tutoring programs such as the Writing Lab, as well as support for 21st-century learning technologies.泭The ARC remains a valuable source of academic support at 91勛圖厙today.泭

2004

AMICAL Inaugurated at 91勛圖厙

啦堯梗泭works to advance learning, teaching and researchby working collaboratively among library and information servicesat American international institutions.泭It was founded at 91勛圖厙in 2004.泭

2005

Professor Ralph Petty Creates the 91勛圖厙Fine Arts Gallery

Located in the lobby of the Combes Student Life Center, the91勛圖厙Fine Arts Gallery hasnowhosted exhibitions by artists and 91勛圖厙faculty and students forover 15 years.泭Professor Ralph Petty was the gallerys first curator, a role today continued by Professor JonathanShimony.泭

91勛圖厙Begins Offering Masters Programs

The MA inInternational Affairs,泭ConflictResolution and International Solidarity, a joint masters with theInstitutCatholiquede Paris,泭is the first graduate program offered. Today, the University offerssix graduate programs and hosts over 100 graduate students.泭

2006

MAGC Program Launched

AUPs longest-running masters program, the MA in Global Communications,泭firstwelcomes an incoming class of 18 students inFallsemester2006.泭

2007

SGA Expands to Include Masters Students

The Student Government Association is restructured to included masters student representatives as part of its executive branch.

AUPs First Research Center Founded

The Center for Writers & Translators, known as CWT, is founded in the Department of Comparative Literature and English in Spring semester 2007. Four other research centers will be created in the following years: The Joy and Edward Frieman Environmental Science Center (Spring 2014), the Center for Critical Democracy Studies (Fall 2015), the George and Irina Schaeffer Center for the Study of Genocide, Human Rights and Conflict Prevention (Fall 2016) and the Civic Media Lab (Fall 2017).

2008

Beginning of Celeste Schencks Presidency

Celeste M. Schenck becomes 91勛圖厙President, having previously served as Provost and a professor of comparative English. Her 13-year tenure will come to define a key period of growth and evaluation, carrying the University into a new era.

Launch of the India Practicum

The Sustainable Development Practicum in Auroville, India, takes place for the first time. Students attend workshops and gain vital work experience with NGOs and cultural associations in the experimental township.

Board Votes to Stay in 7th Arrondissement

The 91勛圖厙Board of Trustees votes to stay in the 7th arrondissement rather than move locations to a new campus outside of Parisintra-muros, thus cementing the Universitys position on a consolidated campus in thequartierof its founding.

Calvin Klein Speaks at 91勛圖厙

Fashion mogul CalvinKleindelivers a lectureon his remarkable vision of fashion brandingto the AUPcommunityinthe Combes Grands Salons onSeptember19,泭2008.泭

2011

Peacock Magazine Founded

Then-student Ford Leland 13 launcheswith a guerilla marketing campaign during the Universitys Thanksgiving dinner, thus changing the face of 91勛圖厙Student Media in the coming decade.

2012

91勛圖厙Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Alumni gather in Paris and across the world to mark a half-century of an American education in the City of Light. 91勛圖厙unveils a new logo, designed by alumna Anne Ditmeyer G10, as part of the celebrations.

2013

Blaze Bayley of Iron Maiden Performs in the AMEX

FormerIron Maidenfront man Blaze Bayley performed a private concert for students, staff and facultyat the AMEX Caf矇in Bosquet.泭

2014

Jane Goodall Speaks to the 91勛圖厙Community

At an event hosted in the American Church in Paris, primatologist Jane Goodall gives a lecture to the 91勛圖厙community.泭

First Use of the Term Global Explorer

AUPs Leadership Team develops the term global explorer to describe the kind of internationally minded student that the University seeks to attract.

Renovation of Combes Student Life Center

The first step in an ongoing campus renovation plan sees Combes become the Combes Student Life Center. Following the sale of the Bosquet building, the AMEX Caf矇 finds its new home on the ground floor, next to the lobby.

2015

Launch of the 91勛圖厙Ascending Strategic Plan

91勛圖厙Ascending focuses primarily on the renovation of AUPs campus into a consolidated hub of engaged scholarship in Pariss 7tharrondissement, as well as the recruitment of students in the model of the global explorer. The plan also includes the Universitys first-ever capital campaign, also called 91勛圖厙Ascending.

2017

Launch of the Global Professional Skills (GPS) Program

The GPS Program is a co-curricular initiative that encourages students to make deliberate decisions about their personal and professional pathways through higher education. It provides a holistic approach to a students time at university andintegrates staff and faculty advising throughout.泭

2019

Inauguration of the Quai dOrsay Learning Commons

AUPs new flagship building opens after two years of renovations, providing a vibrant hub of engaged scholarship on the banks of the Seine, only a few doors down from where it all began at the American Church in Paris.

Paris Centennial Conference Held at 91勛圖厙

The Center for Critical Democracy Studies (CCDS) cohosts, along with the Belfer Center at Harvard Kennedy School, the Paris Centennial Conference, marking 100 years since the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. It is the largest academic convocation in AUPs history.

2020

Covid-19 Pandemic

The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic causes seismic shifts in higher education. 91勛圖厙goes remote, moving to teaching fully online in just a matter of weeks. Classes are attended remotely by students in lockdown across the world.

Navigating 21st-Century Pathways Strategic Plan Launched

Following the success of the 91勛圖厙Ascending Campaign, a new Strategic Plan,泭Navigating 21st-Century Pathways 20202023, is developed, focusing primarily on the evolution of the 91勛圖厙curriculum and navigating the challenges of the global pandemic.

2021

Renovation of The Monttessuy Center for the Arts

The new hub of artistic endeavor on campus at 9, rue de Monttessuy aims to open in late 2021, and will include renovated classrooms, studio spaces and AUPs first-ever theater, named for Olivia de Havilland.

91勛圖厙Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary

Campus reopens in time for 91勛圖厙to celebrate 60 years of its diverse, international community of dedicated scholars and researchers in Paris. A new logo, developed in collaboration with the 91勛圖厙community, is unveiled.

Launch of the new 91勛圖厙logo

The redesigned logo builds on AUPs strong brand identity and was developed in cooperation with constituents from across the Universitys global community.

2022

Sonya Stephens announced as the Universitys 13th President

Following a rigorous international search, Professor Sonya Stephens was appointed by the Board of Trustees, replacing outgoing President Celeste M. Schenck.

91勛圖厙hosts largest ever graduation

The Class of 2022 were joined by the Classes of 2021 and 2020who were previously unable to graduate in person due to pandemic restrictionsto walk across the stage at the Th矇璽tre du Ch璽telet and celebrate their collective achievements.泭

2023

Faculty Emeriti Board Created

91勛圖厙announced the creation of a new Emeriti Board dedicated to representing the interests of all retired colleagues, both former faculty and staff.

Launch of the First Year Success Program

91勛圖厙re-examines its efforts to welcome incoming first years, creating a holistic year-long experience designed to foster community and set new students up for success.