Manhattan School for Advanced Wizardry

From Namericanpotter

Revision as of 13:06, 7 September 2007

Information

Location: Unknown; Entrance currently located at 18th Street Station
Founded: 1900

History: The Manhattan School for Advanced Wizardry is a relatively new facility, having just recently celebrated its centennial. Until its founding, there was only one other collegiate-level facility in the Northeast: The Weston Academy of Thaumaturgical Practices, founded in Boston soon after the American War for Independence. It was very conservative, with most of its student body being either pure-blooded or half-blooded. Wizard who came from more mundane homes were rarely admitted, and had to pursue scholling elsewhere.

However, in 1893 a Mastigos by the name of Helen Cowden returned to the United States after traveling the world and, having come to the decision that the Weston Academy collectively had much too large a stick up its ass, started the process of founding a school for those of 'lesser' birth. After spending five years planning and gathering like-minded individuals, Helena and her cabal (called the Manhattan Irregulars) created a Pocket Realm that would suit their needs. The Realm was anchored to the island itself, with a moving entrance that required an artifact to locate and pin down. Pleased with their work, the Irregulars took another two years to create the facility itself, then began gathering students. The Irregulars were the first administrative staff of the facility, with Helena as its first president.

The Manhattan Academy for Progressive Magics, as it was called at the time, was still second-fiddle to the Weston Academy for the first forty years or so of its existence. Its fortunes changed, however, after the founding of the United Nations. Struck with a bout of inspiration, Helena began sending letters to the various wizarding schools around the world. In 1946, the International Wizarding Exchange Program was begun, and the school shot into the international spotlight. This program, combined with its more progressive curriculum, moved the Academy to the forefront of magical education in the Northeast, and in the United States as a whole.

In time, The Irregulars either retired from their positions or passed on, and other mages came onto the staff. In 1985, the name of the School changed to the Manhattan School for Advanced Wizardry. Cornelia Bowers, a Mysterium Mastigos and the current president, took the position that year, and has served in it since.

Administration

President: Cornelia Bowers - Mastigos
Vice President: David Hart - Thyrsus
Dean of Students: Nicole Thompson - Acanthus

Teaching Staff

At MSAW, students have access to various tutors for the ten separate Arcana. Below are the staff members that take on this role; each is an Adept or Master in their particular sphere of influence.

Death: Jerome 'Duster' Keating - Moros
Fate: Priscilla 'Calliope' Webber - Acanthus
Forces: Katherine 'Starfire' Archer - Obrimos
Life: Theresa 'Lucie' Harris - Thyrsus
Matter: Stephen 'Elric' Armstrong - Moros
Mind: Samuel 'Morpheus' Rhodes - Mastigos
Prime: Vincent 'Omega' Kincaid - Obrimos
Space: Caroline 'Farpoint' Baines - Mastigos
Spirit: Nathanial 'Umbra' Johnson - Thyrsus
Time: Jessica 'Amrita' Powers - Acanthus