History of Hillsdale College in Timeline

Hillsdale College is a private, conservative, Christian liberal arts college located in Hillsdale, Michigan, founded in 1844. It has historical significance as one of the earliest coeducational institutions in the United States, admitting women since its inception. The college is known for its conservative stance and a curriculum that emphasizes the Great Books, the U.S. Constitution, and natural sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics.

1900: Hillsdale College ceases livestock grazing

In 1900, Hillsdale College stopped grazing livestock and removed the fence around the campus. This marked the beginning of a period focused on institutional growth and professionalization.

1901: George F. Mosher's presidency ends

In 1901, George F. Mosher's tenure as president of Hillsdale College concluded. He had served since 1886, during which the college experienced growth.

1902: Joseph William Mauck becomes president

In 1902, Joseph William Mauck became the sixth president of Hillsdale College. He was the first Hillsdale graduate to return as president.

1907: Hillsdale amends Articles of Association

In 1907, Hillsdale College amended its Articles of Association, removing the requirement for the president and trustees to be Free Will Baptists. This change led to a broader representation of Christian denominations on campus.

1922: William Gear Spencer becomes president

In 1922, William Gear Spencer succeeded Mauck as president of Hillsdale College.

1924: Chi Omega chapter chartered

In 1924, Hillsdale College chartered its chapter of Chi Omega.

1932: William Gear Spencer departs to lead Franklin College

In 1932, William Gear Spencer departed Hillsdale College to lead Franklin College.

1933: Willfred Otto Mauck becomes president during Great Depression

In 1933, during the Great Depression, Willfred Otto Mauck was selected as the eighth president of Hillsdale College.

1937: "White and Blue" Composed

In 1937, Bess Hagaman Tefft, Class of 1937, composed Hillsdale's alma mater, "White and Blue", including both the words and melody.

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1938: Football team has undefeated season

In 1938, Hillsdale College's football team had an undefeated and untied season.

1942: Harvey L. Turner becomes ninth president

In 1942, Harvey L. Turner became the ninth president of Hillsdale College, succeeding Willfred Otto Mauck.

1944: Hillsdale celebrates centennial

In 1944, Hillsdale College celebrated its centennial, with over 1,000 alumni returning to campus for the commencement ceremony.

1952: Harvey L. Turner's presidency ends

In 1952, Harvey L. Turner's presidency of Hillsdale College ended.

1952: J. Donald Phillips assumes the presidency

In 1952, J. Donald Phillips assumed the presidency of Hillsdale College.

1962: Hillsdale adopts "Declaration of Independence"

In 1962, the trustees of Hillsdale College adopted its own "Declaration of Independence", affirming its opposition to governmental control.

1964: Hillsdale resists Title IV of the Civil Rights Act

In 1964, Hillsdale began resisting federal civil rights regulations, particularly Title IV of the Civil Rights Act, concerning affirmative action.

1966: Simpson and McIntyre Student Residences constructed

In 1966, the Simpson and McIntyre Student Residences were constructed at Hillsdale College.

1968: Hillsdale designated as Michigan Historic Site

In 1968, the Michigan Historical Commission erected a marker designating Hillsdale College as a Michigan Historic Site.

1971: George Roche III becomes president

In 1971, George Roche III became the 11th president of Hillsdale College.

1971: J. Donald Phillips' presidency ends

In 1971, J. Donald Phillips' tenure as president of Hillsdale College ended.

1972: Education Amendments

In 1972, the Education Amendments were passed.

1973: Russell Kirk begins teaching at Hillsdale

In 1973, Russell Kirk began teaching at Hillsdale College for one semester per year.

1978: Administrative Law Judge denies HEW's request

In 1978, an Administrative Law Judge denied the Department of Health, Education and Welfare's (HEW) request to terminate federal financial assistance to Hillsdale's students.

October 1979: Reviewing Authority rejects Hillsdale's arguments

In October 1979, the Reviewing Authority rejected Hillsdale College's arguments and the ALJ's decision, ruling that HEW could require Hillsdale to sign the Assurance of Compliance as a condition of its students receiving federal financial assistance.

1982: Sixth Circuit upholds Hillsdale's refusal to sign compliance forms

In 1982, the Sixth Circuit ruled that government aid to individual students could be terminated without a finding that a college actually discriminated, but nevertheless upheld Hillsdale's refusal to sign the compliance forms.

1984: Grove City College v. Bell Supreme Court Case

In 1984, the Supreme Court case Grove City College v. Bell mandated that any college or university receiving federal aid must adhere to all federal requirements, both current and future. In response, Hillsdale College chose to withdraw from all federal assistance, starting with the 1984-5 academic year.

October 17, 1999: Lissa Jackson Roche's death

On October 17, 1999, Lissa Jackson Roche, the wife of George Roche's son and managing editor of Hillsdale College Press, died by suicide in the Slayton Arboretum. This event led to a scandal and negatively impacted the college's reputation.

2000: Larry P. Arnn becomes president

In 2000, Larry P. Arnn became the president of Hillsdale College.

2007: Hillsdale College Stops Accepting Michigan State Assistance

In 2007, Hillsdale College discontinued accepting financial aid from the state of Michigan. Instead, the college began matching any funds a student would have received from the state with its own aid. Since 2007, Hillsdale's operating budget, including scholarships, has been funded entirely by private donations and endowments.

2010: Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship dedicated

On Constitution Day in 2010, Hillsdale College dedicated the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington D.C.

2012: Van Andel Graduate School for Statesmanship founded

In 2012, Hillsdale College founded the Van Andel Graduate School for Statesmanship on its Michigan campus, offering both an M.A. and PhD in Politics.

2013: Arnn criticized for remarks about ethnic minorities

In 2013, Larry Arnn was criticized for remarks he made about ethnic minorities while testifying against the Common Core curriculum standards. He expressed concern about government interference with educational institutions.

2014: First M.A. students graduate from Van Andel Graduate School

In 2014, the first M.A. students graduated from Hillsdale College's Van Andel Graduate School for Statesmanship.

2015: Boyle Radio Studio dedicated at the Kirby Center

In 2015, the Boyle Radio Studio at the Kirby Center in Washington D.C. was dedicated.

2016: Timothy Mellon's Donation Offer

In 2016, conservative billionaire Timothy Mellon offered to donate to Hillsdale College for each download of his autobiography.

2018: Hillsdale College Named Among Best for Student-Athletes

In 2018, Hillsdale College was recognized as one of the top schools in the U.S. for student-athletes by Next College Student Athlete's 2018 NCSA Power Rankings. Hillsdale was ranked fourth among all NCAA Division II colleges and universities in the U.S.

2018: First PhD students graduate from Van Andel Graduate School

In 2018, the first PhD students graduated from Hillsdale College's Van Andel Graduate School for Statesmanship.

2019: Christ Chapel opened

In 2019, Hillsdale College opened the classical-style Christ Chapel, in a dedication ceremony led by Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas.

2019: S. Prestley Blake Donates Estate

In 2019, S. Prestley Blake donated his estate in Somers, Connecticut, to Hillsdale College. Following zoning challenges, the college developed the estate into The Blake Center for Faith and Freedom, which includes a replica of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

2019: S. Prestley Blake donates Monticello replica to Hillsdale College

In 2019, S. Prestley Blake donated his former home, an exact replica of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, in Somers, Connecticut to Hillsdale College.

2020: Van Andel Graduate School of Government founded

In 2020, Hillsdale College founded the Van Andel Graduate School of Government on its DC campus, offering an M.A. in Government.

May 2021: Blake Center for Faith and Freedom dedicated

In May 2021, Hillsdale College dedicated the property donated by S. Prestley Blake as the Blake Center for Faith and Freedom.

November 2021: Hillsdale purchases land in California

In November 2021, Hillsdale College purchased land in Placer County, California for nearly $6M with plans for a new educational center.

December 2021: Launch of the Academy for Science and Freedom

In December 2021, Hillsdale College launched the Academy for Science and Freedom in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The academy aims to "educate the American people about the free exchange of scientific ideas and the proper relationship between freedom and science in the pursuit of truth".

2021: Most popular undergraduate majors

As of 2021 graduates, the most popular undergraduate majors at Hillsdale College.

2021: Hillsdale K-12 releases Civics "1776 Curriculum"

In 2021, Hillsdale K–12 released a Civics "1776 Curriculum".

2022: Graduate Programs Offered

As of 2022, Hillsdale College offers three graduate programs: the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship, the Steve and Amy Van Andel Graduate School of Government, and the Graduate School of Classical Education.

2022: Hillsdale K-12 curriculum in multiple states

By 2022, Hillsdale College had schools following its K–12 liberal arts curriculum across 19 states and Barney Charter Schools in 9 states.

2022: Graduate School of Classical Education founded

In 2022, Hillsdale College founded its Graduate School of Classical Education, offering an M.A. in Classical Education.

October 2023: Female students sue Hillsdale College

In October 2023, two female students sued Hillsdale College, alleging the college failed to adequately investigate and address instances of sexual assault.

2023: Princeton Review Ranking

In 2023, The Princeton Review's The Best 384 Colleges ranked Hillsdale as first for "most engaged in community service," seventh for "students love these colleges," eighth for "professors get high marks," and thirteenth for "students study the most."

September 2024: Sexual Assault lawsuit dismissed

In September 2024, the lawsuit filed by the two female students was dismissed with prejudice by U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering.

2024: Elite Admission Standards

In 2024, Hillsdale College accepted 20.6% of undergraduate applicants, and was considered to have "Elite Admission Standards" with those admitted having an average 3.93 GPA and, for standardized test scores, having the middle 50% scoring 1360-1520 on the SAT, or having the middle 50% scoring 30-34 on the ACT.

2024: Trump wins the presidential election

Since Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Hillsdale College is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025.

2025: Hillsdale advisory board member of Project 2025

In 2025, Hillsdale College is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025, a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals from The Heritage Foundation to reshape the United States federal government and consolidate executive power.