Mackenzie Presbyterian University

Mackenzie Presbyterian University

Mackenzie Presbyterian University logo
Motto	Tradição e Pioneirismo na Educação (Portuguese)
Motto in English	Tradition and Pioneering in Education
Type	Private, non-profit
Established	1870, 1952 as a university
Affiliation	Presbyterian Church of Brazil
Chancellor	The Rev. Dr. Davi Charles Gomes
Rector	Dr. Benedito Aguiar Neto
Vice rector	Dr. Marcel Mendes
Students	40,000+
Location	São Paulo (Campus Higienópolis), Barueri (Campus Alphaville), Campinas and Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Brazil
Colours	Red      Black
Website	mackenzie.br

Mackenzie Presbyterian University (Portuguese: Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie) is a private university in São Paulo, Brazil. The Mackenzie Presbyterian University is an institution of higher learning that has strong tradition and history in Brazil. It has campuses for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in São Paulo (Campus Higienópolis), Campinas, Barueri (Campus Alphaville), Brasilia, Recife and Rio de Janeiro

Founded in 1870 as the American School, Mackenzie is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Brazil. The university is regarded nationally and internationally as a center of excellence having graduated numerous important names in Brazilian history. Apart from its main campus in São Paulo, Mackenzie University has campuses in the city of Barueri as well as in Brasília, Campinas, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro for postgraduate and continuing education.

The nickname "Mackenzista" is often used to refer to present or former students of Mackenzie.

In 1870, the American Presbyterian missionary Rev. George Whitehill Chamberlain and his wife Mary Annesley founded a private grammar school inside their home. The classes were held in their living room and, 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 that 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 backgrounds, social classes, and religious denominations were welcome. The fame of academic rigor allied to religious tolerance soon reached the United States.

In 1896, John Theron Mackenzie, an attorney from Phelps, New York, 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 the next year, and the college was named in their honor.