9 Oldest Colleges Still Shaping America Today

7. Brown University - A Legacy of Religious Freedom and Academic Innovation

Founded in 1764, Brown University was established as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It was the first college in America to accept students regardless of their religious affiliation, reflecting the colony's commitment to religious freedom and tolerance. Brown's early curriculum was designed to provide a broad liberal arts education, with an emphasis on independent thinking and academic innovation. The university's open curriculum, introduced in the 20th century, continues to reflect its commitment to student-centered learning and intellectual exploration. Brown's legacy of inclusivity and academic freedom has made it a leader in promoting diversity and social justice in higher education.