MACKENZIE’S HISTORY
Mackenzie Presbyterian University is a private university in São Paulo, Brazil.
Founded in 1870 as the American School, Mackenzie is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Brazil. The University is regarded, both nationally and internationally, as a center of excellence having graduated numerous important names of Brazilian history. A part from its main campus in São Paulo, Mackenzie University has campus in the city of Barueri; as well as in Brasilia, Campinas, Recife, Rio de Janeiro for postgraduate and continuing education.
History
In 1870, during the Empire, the American Presbyterian missioner George Chamberlain and his wife Mary founded a private grammar school inside their home. The classes were held in Mrs. Chamberlain’s living room, and in a few years later the “American School” was established as a center of excellence in São Paulo. The Chamberlains’ American School was revolutionary for the Brazilian standards at the time: no corporal punishment on students was permitted, and both boys and girls could attend classes. Even though the Chamberlains were openly Presbyterians, students from all ethnic background, social classes, and religious denominations were welcomed. The fame of academic rigour allied to religious tolerance soon reached the United States.
In 1896, John Mackenzie, a New York lawyer, and his sisters donated US$50,000 “for the establishment of an engineering school to be built under the auspices of Mr. Chamberlain”. The Mackenzie building was built next year, and the college was named in their honor.
After the establishment of Mackenzie College, the institution saw rapid expansion of its activities with the creation of a School of Architecture, a School of Economics, and a Law School, gaining the status of University in ….
In 130 years of history, it is estimated the Mackenzie University counts 300 alumni, many of them important personalities of Brazilian politics and civil society. Among them are artists such as surrealist André Breton and the modernist painter Anita Malfatti, athletes such as Brazil’s most known basketball player Oscar Schmindt, car racer Émerson Fittipaldi, sea explorer Amyr Klink, and Olympic golden medalist Robert Scheidt; journalists Bóris Casoy, William Bonner and Ney Gonçalves Dias; businessmen Márcio Cypriano (CEO Bradesco), Ivan Zurita (CEO Nestlé, Brasil) and Emerson Kapaz; jurists Álvaro Villaça Azevedo, Carlos Miguel Aidar (former Brazilian Law Society President), Eros Roberto Grau (Brazilian Supreme Court Justice), José Roberto Batochio (prominent lawyer), Sérgio Pinto Martins (judge and labour law renowed scholar), Roberto Justus and Tales Castelo Branco.