The Hilltop Campus was somewhat barren in 1911 (above). Brookings Hall had been finished, and a few buildings to the north of Brookings (not pictured) were completed. In the upper-left corner is Blewett Hall, then the chancellor's residence. The next decade would prove to be fruitful for many facets of the University. Student life grew immensely — by the 1916-17 academic year, 60 student groups were on the Hilltop Campus. In 1915, the Washington University Union sponsored its first events, aimed at expanding social interaction among alumni, faculty and students. The University grew academically as well, with the 1913 hiring of Tyrell Williams as the School of Law's first full-time faculty member. Some earlier staples of the University also met their ends during this time. After first being consolidated in 1915, Smith Academy (the boys college preparatory division of the University) and the Manual Training School — two of the University's three secondary divisions — were closed in June 1917. Some Smith Academy families would go on to found a successor school that is still going strong today — St. Louis Country Day School, which has since merged with Mary Institute.
Washington University is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2003-04.
