History of Denison University in Timeline

Denison University, located in Granville, Ohio, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831. Originally named the Granville Literary and Theological Institution, it was later renamed in honor of William S. Denison. As of fall 2023, it enrolls approximately 2,300 students. Denison offers a curriculum encompassing 65 academic programs.

1909: Naming of Mt. Denison

In 1909, Kirtley Mather, Class of 1909, named the tallest peak in Alaska's Aleutian Peninsula "Mt. Denison."

June 1910: Opening of Swasey Observatory

In June 1910, Swasey Observatory opened, housing a 9-inch refracting telescope and two 8-inch reflecting telescopes.

1916: Hiring of Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons

In 1916, Denison University hired the Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons architectural firm to create the "Olmsted Plan", which guided the university's campus expansion.

1926: Undergraduate Institution

In 1926, Denison University became an exclusively undergraduate institution.

1927: Shepardson College Incorporated into Denison University

In 1927, Shepardson College for Women was fully incorporated into Denison University after a transitional phase.

1946: Woody Hayes as Head Football Coach

In 1946, Woody Hayes became the head football coach at Denison University.

1946: Jeanne Vail, Class of 1946

In 1979, The Vail Series began as the result of a financial gift from Mary and Foster McGaw in honor of Jeanne Vail, class of 1946.

1947: Undefeated Season

In 1947, Woody Hayes guided the Big Red to an undefeated season.

1948: Undefeated Season

In 1948, Woody Hayes guided the Big Red to an undefeated season.

1954: Keith Piper Takes Over as Head Football Coach

In 1954, Keith Piper took over as the head football coach at Denison, a position he would remain in for 39 seasons.

1964: Michael Eisner's Graduation

Michael Eisner graduated from Denison in 1964.

1977: Founding of The Homestead

In 1977, The Homestead, a student-run intentional community with a focus on ecological sustainability, was founded.

1978: First Scaling of Mt. Denison

In 1978, a group of students, professors, and alumni scaled Mt. Denison.

1979: Founding of The Bullsheet

In 1979, The Bullsheet, a student-run publication for news, humor, and community dialogue, was founded to combat student apathy.

1979: Beginning of the Vail Series

In 1979, The Vail Series began as the result of a financial gift from Mary and Foster McGaw in honor of Jeanne Vail, class of 1946.

1984: Denison Joins NCAC

In 1984, Denison University became a member of the NCAA Division III and the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) since the conference's formation.

1985: First 10-0 Season

In 1985, Keith Piper guided the Denison football program to their first 10-0 season with his antique single-wing offense.

1985: All-Sports Awards Win

In 1985-86, Denison won All-Sports Awards.

1997: All-Sports Awards Win

Between 1997 and 1998, Denison won consecutive All-Sports Awards.

1998: All-Sports Awards Win

Between 1997 and 1998, Denison won consecutive All-Sports Awards.

1998: Scaling of Mt. Denison

In 1998, a group of students, professors, and alumni scaled Mt. Denison.

1999: Denison Men's Lacrosse Advances to NCAA Semifinal

In 1999, the Denison men's lacrosse team advanced to the semifinal (Final 4) of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

2001: Women's Swimming and Diving Team Wins NCAA Championship

In 2001, the Denison Women's Swimming and Diving team won the school's first NCAA Division III national championship.

2001: Denison Men's Lacrosse Advances to NCAA Semifinal

In 2001, the Denison men's lacrosse team advanced to the semifinal (Final 4) of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

2005: All-Sports Awards Win

Between 2005 and 2006, Denison won consecutive All-Sports Awards.

2005: Student Body Size

By 2005, Denison University reached a size of approximately 2,250 students.

2005: Women's Soccer Team Appears in NCAA Quarterfinals

In 2005, the Denison women's soccer team appeared in the NCAA quarterfinals.

2006: All-Sports Awards Win

Between 2005 and 2006, Denison won consecutive All-Sports Awards.

2007: DCGA involvement

In the fall of 2007, the DCGA Student Senate postponed quiet hours.

2008: All-Sports Awards Win

Between 2008 and 2009, Denison won All-Sports Awards.

2008: Women's Tennis Team Reaches NCAA Semifinals

In 2008, the Denison women's tennis team advanced to the NCAA semifinals, ultimately securing third place overall in the consolation match, which was the program's best national finish. Additionally in 2008, the doubles team of Marta Drane and Kristen Cobb reached the Division III Doubles championship match.

August 2009: Opening of the Bryant Arts Center

In August 2009, the Bryant Arts Center opened on the Denison University campus.

2009: All-Sports Awards Win

Between 2008 and 2009, Denison won All-Sports Awards.

2009: Denison Men's Lacrosse Advances to NCAC Quarterfinals

In 2009, the Denison Big Red advanced to the national quarterfinals of the NCAC Tournament before losing to Gettysburg.

2009: DCGA involvement

In the fall of 2009, the DCGA Student Senate drafted the Code of Academic Integrity.

2009: WDUB Featured in American Eagle Stores

In the summer of 2009, Denison's campus radio station, WDUB a.k.a. The Doobie, was featured in American Eagle stores across the country.

2010: Women's Basketball Regular Season

Denison's 2010-11 squad completed the first 28-0 regular season in women's basketball in the NCAC.

2010: Women's Soccer Team Advances to NCAA Quarterfinals

In 2010, the Denison women's soccer team advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in school history.

2011: Men's Swimming and Diving Team Wins NCAA Championship

In 2011, the Denison Men's Swimming and Diving team captured the NCAA National Title by 1 point, ending Kenyon's 31-year streak of championships.

2013: Purchase and Renovation of the Granville Inn

In 2013, Denison University purchased and renovated the historic Granville Inn.

2014: Appointment of Michael Morris

In 2014, Michael Morris was appointed as the director of the Vail Series program.

2014: Economic Diversity Ranking

In 2014, The New York Times cited Denison University as one of America's "Most Economically Diverse Top Colleges," ranking it No. 11 on the list of the nation's top colleges and universities.

2014: Donation of the Denison Golf Club

In 2014, the Denison Golf Club at Granville, designed by Donald Ross, was donated to Denison University.

2015: Community Service Participation

In 2015, 86% of Denison University students participated in community service through the Denison Community Association (DCA).

2015: Men's Swimming Team Wins NCAA National Title

In 2015-2016 Denison men won the national title.

2016: Men's Swimming Team Wins NCAA National Title

In 2015-2016 Denison men won the national title.

2016: Opening of Denison Art Space in Newark

In 2016, Denison University renovated and opened the Denison Art Space in Newark as part of the Thirty-One West development in Downtown Newark.

2016: Performance of Documerica

In the spring of 2016, ensemble-in-residence ETHEL performed their multimedia concert "Documerica" on the Denison campus.

2016: Knowlton Foundation Pledges $9.3 Million

In the spring of 2016, the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation pledged $9.3 million towards the Center for Career Exploration at Denison University, which became known as The Austin E. Knowlton Center for Career Exploration.

2017: Construction Begins on Eisner Center

In 2017, construction began on the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts, named for Michael Eisner.

2017: Weinberg Receives Career Services Champion Award

In 2017, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) honored President Adam Weinberg with the Career Services Champion Award for the Knowlton Center.

2017: Honorary Degrees for ETHEL

In 2017, the ensemble-in-residence ETHEL received honorary degrees from Denison College at the commencement ceremony.

2017: Men's Swimming Team Wins NCAA National Title

In 2017-2018 Denison men won the national title.

2018: Men's Swimming Team Wins NCAA National Title

In 2017-2018 Denison men won the national title.

2019: Application Submissions

In 2019, Denison University saw 2,447 application submissions from international student populations.

2019: Denison Participates in LGBTQ OneTeam Program

In 2019, Denison University was one of the first NCAA universities to participate in the organization's LGBTQ OneTeam Program, which launched in fall 2019.

2019: Completion of the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts

In 2019, the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts was completed on the fine arts quad.

January 2021: QuestBridge Partner College

In January 2021, Denison University announced it had been selected as a QuestBridge partner college.

2021: Most Popular Majors

As of the 2021 graduates, Denison's most popular majors were recorded.

2021: Application Submissions

In 2021, Denison University saw 3,255 application submissions from international student populations.

2023: Fraternity and Sorority Membership

As of 2023, 35% of Denison University students join a fraternity or sorority.

2023: Student Enrollment and Demographics

As of the 2023-24 school year, Denison University had 2,300 students with a gender distribution of 49% male and 51% female. Students come from all 50 states, Washington, DC, and 79 countries. There is a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio due to a full-time faculty of 292 professors.

2023: Enrollment of Students

In 2023, Denison University enrolled 2,300 students in the fall, with students being able to choose from 65 academic programs.

2023: Application Statistics

In the admission season for fall 2023 entry, Denison University received more than 14,500 applicants, with an admission rate of 17%.

2024: Cost of attending Denison.

In 2024 the annual cost of attending Denison is $83,400 for the 2024-2025 academic year.

2024: Washington Monthly Ranking

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Denison 53rd among 194 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. based on its contribution to the public good.

April 2025: QuestBridge Partner College

As of April 2025, Denison University is a QuestBridge partner college, joining what is currently a group of 55 universities in the country participating in the program.

2025: Cost of attending Denison.

In 2024 the annual cost of attending Denison is $83,400 for the 2024-2025 academic year.

2025: Rankings by U.S. News & World Report

In 2025, Denison was ranked tied for 36th in U.S. liberal arts colleges and 4th for “Most Innovative Schools” by the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking.