Who was Robert Morris?
Robert Morris was a Pennsylvania merchant who helped finance the Revolutionary War. Morris signed the Declaration of Independence, served in the Continental Congress and gave of his fortune to help fund the Colonial army.
During the war Morris served as superintendent of finance, working to establish the first national bank and improve the fledgling nation’s credit.
He later served as one of Pennsylvania’s earliest senators.
Accounting School to University: The RMU story
Robert Morris University was founded in 1921 as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. The school was established by Andrew Blass in response to what he saw as a shortage of accountants in the local economy.
Throughout its history, RMU has maintained two key aspects of Blass’s vision: a focus on practical, career-oriented education, and a responsiveness to the needs of the marketplace.
The accounting school originally offered evening sessions in two classrooms in downtown Pittsburgh, but it soon began branching out. Six years later it added secretarial classes and changed its name to Robert Morris School.
In 1962 the school purchased 230 acres in Moon Township, Pa., where the campus is located today. That same year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the school permission to award associate degrees, and the school became Robert Morris Junior College.
After earning approval to grant baccalaureate degrees in 1969, the school again changed its name, becoming Robert Morris College.
Over the past fifteen years the College experienced sustained growth, increasing its enrollment and adding 22 bachelor’s, nine master’s and three doctoral degree programs.
The College became Robert Morris University in 2002, and today it offers more than 30 undergraduate and 18 master’s and doctoral degree programs. The University’s enrollment has topped 5,000, and it has more than 22,000 living alumni.