Celebrating a Century of Impact: The Brown School Turns 100

The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis will mark its 100th anniversary this academic year with a series of events and activities, celebrating its century-long contributions to social work, public health, and social policy.

“The centennial celebration is not just a look back at our history, but a powerful reminder of our ongoing mission and focus. It’s a renewing of our commitment to meet the needs of a changing world through the strength and unity of our community,” said Dorian Traube, the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School and a professor.

Founded in 1925, the Brown School owes its inception to Betty Bofinger Brown, wife of Brown Shoe Company founder George Warren Brown. Her endowment, in the memory of her late husband, established the Department of Social Work and funded the construction of Brown Hall, one of the first buildings dedicated solely to social work education. This foundational gift led to the creation of the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, which has since grown into one of the world’s leading institutions in the field.

From its early days, the Brown School has been a pioneering force in addressing societal challenges such as poverty, education reform, racial justice, child maltreatment, mental health, and health care. It was the first school at Washington University to admit African American students and is consistently ranked among the top social work schools in the nation. Its public health program is also highly regarded, ranked 18th nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.

The entire Brown School community is invited to the Centennial Celebration kickoff from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, at the Nussbaum Plaza. The event, which immediately follows Brown School Convocation, will feature sweets (cupcakes, snow cones and caramel apples), Brown School Centennial swag (the first 100 people get a t-shirt), and more. There will also be games, music and a visit from the WashU mascot! The launch event marks the culmination of a year of careful planning by over 50 committee members, including students, faculty, administrators and alumni. Tonya Edmond, a professor and chair of the executive planning committee, said this remarkable milestone is an opportunity to appreciate the past, and plan for the future.

“The Brown School is an exceptional place with an inspiring history. Although a lot has changed since we first opened our doors a hundred years ago, our dedication to tackling society’s greatest challenges has remained constant. The enormity of our impact cannot be overstated,” Edmond said “For a century, our graduates have made an incredible difference locally, nationally and globally. This centennial celebration honors not only their achievements but also the unwavering commitment of our faculty, staff, current and future students, and the supportive community that has been with us throughout our journey.”

Looking to the future, history is currently in the making at the Brown School with the implementation of its ambitious 10-year strategic plan, Driving Equity 2030. With a keen eye on the century to come, the plan aims to address upcoming challenges, while continuing the school’s legacy of service and commitment to equity.

For more details on the centennial events and activities, visit our Centennial page and explore our timeline to journey through the Brown School’s first 100 years!