History of Emory University in Timeline
Emory University, a prestigious private research institution located in Atlanta, Georgia, traces its roots back to 1836. Established as Emory College by the Methodist Episcopal Church, it was named as a tribute to the influential Methodist bishop John Emory. The university's primary campus is situated in the Druid Hills neighborhood, a mere 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the heart of downtown Atlanta.
1900: Alben Barkley Graduates from Emory
Alben Barkley, future 35th Vice President of the United States, graduated from Emory with a BA in 1900.
August 16, 1906: Establishment of Wesley Memorial Hospital and Training School for Nurses
On August 16, 1906, the Wesley Memorial Hospital and Training School for Nurses, later renamed the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, was established.
1910: Dumas Malone Graduates from Emory
Dumas Malone, future Jefferson biographer and director of the Harvard University Press, graduated from Emory with an AB in 1910.
1914: Establishment of Candler School of Theology
In 1914, the Candler School of Theology was established at Emory University.
1914: Formation of Intercollegiate Debate Team
In 1914, the intercollegiate debate team was formed at Emory University.
1915: Relocation and Rechartering of Emory College as Emory University
In 1915, Emory College relocated to Druid Hills and was rechartered as Emory University after accepting a land grant from Asa Griggs Candler.
1916: Establishment of Emory University School of Law
Emory University School of Law was established in 1916, expanding the university's academic offerings.
1917: Emory University Organizes Medical Unit for World War I
In 1917, as the United States entered World War I, Emory University organized a medical unit composed of faculty and alumni from its medical school.
1919: Establishment of The Emory Wheel
The Emory Wheel, the student-run newspaper of Emory University, began serving the community in 1919.
1927: Thomas Milton Rivers Earns PhD from Emory
Thomas Milton Rivers, a notable alumni of Emory, earned his PhD from the institution in 1927.
1929: Bobby Jones Completes Law Degree at Emory
In 1929, Bobby Jones, renowned golfer and founder of the Masters Golf Tournament, completed his law degree at Emory University.
1940: Kiyoshi Tanimoto Graduates from Candler School of Theology
Kiyoshi Tanimoto graduated from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1940.
1943: Arnall Patz Graduates from Emory
Arnall Patz, a notable Emory alumni, graduated with a BA in 1943.
1945: Arnall Patz Receives MD from Emory
Arnall Patz received his MD from Emory University in 1945.
1945: Dr. Alfred A. Weinstein Released from Captivity
In 1945, Dr. Alfred A. Weinstein was released from Japanese captivity after being a prisoner of war during World War II.
1953: Emory University Becomes Coeducational
In 1953, Emory University officially transitioned to a coeducational institution, allowing women to enroll in larger numbers and as resident students.
1959: First Sororities Established at Emory
The year 1959 marked the first appearance of sororities on Emory University's campus, further integrating women into university life.
1961: Beginning of Military Dictatorship in South Korea
The year 1961 marked the start of a military dictatorship in South Korea, a period of authoritarian rule that lasted until 1987.
1962: Emory University Officially Integrates Racially
In 1962, during the civil rights movement, Emory University took a proactive step towards racial integration by seeking legal action to overturn racially restrictive Georgia statutes. This led to Emory officially becoming racially integrated.
1965: Newt Gingrich Graduates from Emory
Newt Gingrich, future 58th Speaker of the House of Representatives, graduated from Emory with a BA in 1965.
1967: Marvin S. Arrington Sr. Graduates from Emory Law as First Full-Time African American Student
Marvin S. Arrington Sr. made history in 1967 by becoming the first full-time African American student to graduate from Emory University School of Law.
1971: Emory Establishes One of the Nation's First African-American Studies Programs
In 1971, Emory University established one of the nation's first African-American studies programs, and the first of its kind in the Southeastern United States.
1975: Oxford Historic District
In 1975, the United States National Register of Historic Places designated the original Emory University campus, established in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia, as part of the Oxford Historic District.
1976: Kenneth Cole Graduates from Emory
Kenneth Cole, clothing designer and founder of Kenneth Cole Productions, graduated from Emory with a BA in 1976.
March 30, 1983: Kim Dae-jung Speaks at Emory and Receives Honorary Degree
On March 30, 1983, Kim Dae-jung, a future South Korean president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, gave a speech on human rights and democracy at Emory University while in political exile. He also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
1986: Dobbs University Center Construction
The R. Howard Dobbs University Center was built in 1986 from a neofuturistic postmodernist design by local architect John C. Portman Jr., to house the university's main student/faculty center and dining hall.
1987: End of Military Dictatorship in South Korea
The military dictatorship in South Korea ended in 1987, marking a significant shift towards democracy.
1991: First Collegiate LGBT Student Center in the Southeast
In 1991, Emory opened the first collegiate LGBT student center in the Southeastern United States, which is the tenth oldest in the nation.
1993: James T. Laney Begins Ambassadorship to Korea
James T. Laney, the 17th president of Emory University, began serving as the United States ambassador to Korea in 1993.
1995: Emory University Elected to the Association of American Universities
In 1995, Emory University was elected to the Association of American Universities, recognizing its high research activity and academic excellence.
1996: Hosting the Magnificent Seven
During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Emory University hosted the United States Olympic women's gymnastics team, known as the Magnificent Seven, on its Atlanta Campus. The team won the first-ever gold medal for the United States in the women's team all-around competition.
1997: James T. Laney Concludes Ambassadorship to Korea
In 1997, James T. Laney concluded his service as the United States ambassador to Korea.
1998: Kim Dae-jung Becomes President of South Korea
Kim Dae-jung became the eighth President of South Korea in 1998, serving until 2003.
2000: Kim Dae-jung Awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation with North Korea through the Sunshine Policy.
2002: Elizabeth Prelogar Graduates from Emory
Elizabeth Prelogar, the 48th Solicitor General of the United States, graduated from Emory with a BA in 2002.
2003: End of Kim Dae-jung's Presidency
Kim Dae-jung's term as President of South Korea concluded in 2003.
2005: Rosa Parks Receives President Medal from Emory University
In 2005, Emory University awarded the President Medal, one of its highest honors, to Rosa Parks, a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, acknowledging her significant impact on the pursuit of peace and cultural advancement.
2008: Presidential Award for General Community Service
Emory University received the 2008 Presidential Award for General Community Service, the highest federal recognition for commitment to community service in higher education.
2008: Kirsten Haglund Crowned Miss America
Kirsten Haglund, an Emory graduate of 2013, was crowned Miss America in 2008.
2009: Emory Graduate School Named in Honor of James T. Laney
In 2009, Emory's graduate school, established in 1919, was renamed in honor of James T. Laney, the university's fifth president, recognizing his contributions to the university and his advocacy for racial equality and global human rights.
2013: Rita Dove Commencement Address
Rita Dove gave the keynote address at Emory's 2013 Commencement.
2014: Ebola Outbreak Response
In 2014, Emory University successfully treated medical evacuees during the Ebola outbreak.
2015: Research Collaborations and Grants
In 2015, Emory University collaborated with Georgia Tech and other institutions on various research projects, receiving grants for environmental health, healthcare robotics, cystic fibrosis, and technology commercialization.
2015: Infectious Disease and Agriculture Research
In 2015, Emory University and the University of South Florida received a grant to study the connection between infectious disease transmission and agricultural practices.
2015: Warrior Care Network
In 2015, Emory University received a $15 million grant from the Wounded Warrior Project to establish the "Warrior Care Network" and develop new treatments for veterans with PTSD and TBI.
2015: Research Grants
In 2015, Emory University received numerous research grants from the NIH for various projects, including tuberculosis research, immune responses to vaccines, Fragile X syndrome, cardiovascular health, influenza virus modeling, maternal stress, cancer informatics, and dengue virus infection.
2015: National Ebola Training and Education Center
In 2015, Emory University was named the lead coordinating center for the National Ebola Training and Education Center (NETEC) by the US Department of Health and Human Services, receiving $12 million for the program.
2015: Sanford S. Atwood Chemistry Center Expansion
In 2015, a $52 million expansion and renovation project of the Sanford S. Atwood Chemistry Center was completed, resulting in a new, 270,000-square-foot complex.
February 2017: Dobbs University Center Demolition Announcement
In February 2017, Emory announced the demolition of the R. Howard Dobbs University Center, built in 1986, to be replaced with a new Campus Life Center.
May 2019: Emory Student Center Opening
In May 2019, the Emory Student Center (ESC) opened, becoming the first building on Emory's campus to receive a LEED platinum rating.
2021: NIH Funding
In 2021, Emory University received nearly $600 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health.
2021: Emory University Enrollment
In Fall 2021, Emory University's total enrollment was 15,846 students, with 8,197 undergraduates and 7,649 graduate and professional students.
2021: Freshman Class Demographics
Of the 1,534 freshmen enrolled in fall 2021, 31% were Caucasian, 22% were Asian, 13% were Black/African American, 11% were Latino/Hispanic, 18% were International, 1% were Native American and 4% did not identity; 57% were female and 43% were male.
2023: Opening of Health Sciences Research Building
In 2023, Emory celebrated the opening of Georgia's largest health sciences research building, costing $313 million and housing over 1,000 researchers.
2023: Global University Network Launch
In 2023, Emory launched a global university network with the University of Bonn, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of St Andrews, and Waseda University to strengthen collaborations in education, research, and innovation.
