In early 1922, Albania, fresh from World War I and still fragile in its consolidation of the state, became the scene of an unusual initiative: the attempt to open an American University, under the auspices of the Methodist mission. This attempt took place even before the opening of the American Legation in Tirana and before the de facto recognition of the Albanian state by the USA in July 1922.
In this process, two Albanian figures stand out: Karl Gurakuqi, secretary general of Atdheu and one of the prominent intellectuals of the time, and Mithat Frashëri, diplomat, politician and writer, who played a direct role in communication between the Albanian government and American representatives.
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Doc. 1
February 9, 1922 – Commander Perricone, Shkodra
Albania – Methodist Propaganda
The following information coming from Vlora:
“The Secretary General of the Homeland, Carlo Gurakuki, assures that within six months the construction of the large building that will be used as an American university will be completed. It is not known where it will be established, but the names of Vlora, Shkodra, Elbasan, Korça, and Durrës are already mentioned. The director of the University, which will be maintained by the Methodist Church, will be Professor Jones, who last summer visited almost all of Albania.
For this, You (VS) can give notices and these prelates can verify.”
This document clearly mentions Karl Gurakuqi, who at the time was not only a state functionary but also a figure of great cultural authority. His commitment spread the belief that the American initiative had serious support in Albanian intellectual circles.
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Doc. 2
Rome, April 12, 1922 – ALBANIA – Establishment of the American University in Albania
In connection with the telegram sent by this Legation, on July 24 of this year, No. 2015, Professor Pietro Shakiri from Shkodra, currently in Vlora at the Albanian Normal Schools, has recently received the following letter:
“Northern University - College of Liberal Arts - Evanston Illinois”
March 9, 1922
*“The Foreign Mission Council has now decided to establish a University in Albania and has chosen Vlora as its centre. The Prefecture and Municipality of this city are still willing to give the promised lands and buildings, and I, together with the authorities, visited Vlora and ascertained this during the summer of last. Let it be remembered that they promised us the former hospital together with the buildings surrounding it, the hangar and the palace of the former Italian General Command; Bishop Blake will be in Albania as soon as possible, I am told, with a mandate to negotiate with the government the procedures. If this is agreed upon, the college and University will be opened on the 11th of September next.
Warm regards,
University Director, Prof. Elver Jones.”*
“From a telegram sent by Mithat Frashëri to this Government I ascertain that the bishop would also come to Tirana on the occasion of the reopening of Parliament, that is, on the first day of the month of May. The Synod of Vlora has now sent a telegram to Mr. Jones expressing his thanks and informing him that the Government allows the establishment of the American Institution in Vlora.”
This fragment highlights the role of Mithat Frashëri, who as a diplomat had mediated between the Albanian government and university representatives. He appears as a guarantor of the seriousness of the initiative and as the voice of Albanian state authority vis-à-vis the Americans.
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A project that was not realized
These two documents make it clear that the attempt to open the American University in Albania was supported both by Albanian intellectual circles – with names like Karl Gurakuqi and Mithat Frashëri – and by American Methodist church structures. The local authorities had promised buildings and property in Vlora, while the Albanian government had given its consent to the establishment of the institution.
However, the project was not realized. It remains as the first evidence of American interest in building a center of higher education in Albania, at a time when the Albanian state itself was just getting back on its feet.
