About Reed College
Reed College was founded in 1908, and its first classes were
held in 1911.
Reed is named for Oregon pioneers Simeon and Amanda Reed.
Simeon Reed had been an entrepreneur in trade on the Columbia River; in his will
he suggested that his wife could "devote some portion of my estate to benevolent
objects, or to the cultivation, illustration, or development of the fine arts in
the city of Portland, or to some other suitable purpose, which shall be of
permanent value and contribute to the beauty of the city and to the
intelligence, prosperity, and happiness of the inhabitants." In the ensuing
years, Reed College has become one of the nation's pre-eminent institutions of
the liberal arts and sciences.
Since its founding, Reed College has remained steadfast to one
central commitment: to provide a balanced, comprehensive education in liberal
arts and sciences, fulfilling the highest standards of intellectual excellence.
The distinctive Reed experience includes a challenging curriculum involving wide
reading, conference and laboratory-based teaching in small groups, and a student
body motivated by enthusiasm for serious intellectual work. Reed offers a B.A.
in one of 22 major fields and numerous interdisciplinary fields, as well as a
master of arts in liberal studies degree.
 Reed
College Facts
Approximately 1,300 students
54% women, 46% men
14% minority enrollment
128 faculty members
10:1 student faculty ratio
Conference-style interactive teaching method with small
classes (average of 14 students)
22 departmental and 12 interdisciplinary majors in the arts, sciences,
humanities, and social sciences
Humanities course taken by all first-year students
Junior qualifying exam in major field
All students write a substantial and challenging senior thesis
Opportunities for dual degree and study abroad programs, as well as internships
and career advising
Reed College ranks in the top four of all U.S. colleges and
universities for the percentage of graduates who earn Ph.D.s in all fields.
In the life sciences, Reed produces more Ph.D.s than any other
institution of higher learning.
Students regularly win Fulbright, Watson, National Science
Foundation, and other fellowships. This year a Reed senior won a coveted
Churchill Scholarship for study of theoretical physics at Cambridge University.
Reed has produced 31 Rhodes scholars, second only to one other
liberal arts college
The faculty has received national recognition for commitment
to teaching
Source:
Reed College
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