History of Northern Arizona University in Timeline

Northern Arizona University (NAU), established in 1899 in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a public research university. As the third university founded in the Arizona Territory, NAU has a long history of providing higher education and research opportunities. It plays a significant role in the educational landscape of Arizona.

1901: First Graduating Class

In 1901, the first graduating class of Northern Arizona University consisted of four women who received credentials to teach in the Arizona Territory.

1925: Bachelor of Education Degrees Authorized

In 1925, the Arizona State Legislature authorized the Northern Arizona State Teachers College (ASTC) to grant bachelor of education degrees.

1929: Name Change and Community Outreach

In 1929, the school became Arizona State Teachers College at Flagstaff. Also in 1929, the Great Depression struck the nation, and the ASTC found new meaning in community outreach.

1930: Increased Enrollment During Depression

Between 1930 and 1940, enrollment increased from 321 students to 535 students.

1937: Joseph C. Rolle Begins Playing Basketball

In 1937, Joseph C. Rolle began playing basketball for Arizona State College of Flagstaff (now NAU).

1937: Introduction of Graduate Work

In 1937, graduate work was introduced at Arizona State Teachers College at Flagstaff.

1938: Contribution to Local Economy

In 1938, ASTC injected almost a half-million dollars into the local Flagstaff community, significantly contributing to its economy through student employment and college self-sufficiency.

1939: First Hopi Graduate

In 1939, Ida Mae Fredericks became the first Hopi individual to receive a college degree from ASTC.

1940: Increased Enrollment During Depression

Between 1930 and 1940, enrollment increased from 321 students to 535 students.

1941: Joseph C. Rolle Becomes Student Body President and Receives BA

In 1941, Joseph C. Rolle served as student body president and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State College of Flagstaff.

1945: Enrollment Decline

In 1945, enrollment at NAU dropped sharply to 161 students at the beginning of World War II.

1945: Name Change to Arizona State College at Flagstaff

In 1945, the school changed its name to Arizona State College at Flagstaff to reflect the expansion of programs beyond teaching degrees.

1950: Joseph C. Rolle Receives MA in Education

In 1950, Joseph C. Rolle received a Master of Arts in Education from Arizona State College of Flagstaff.

1958: Name Change and Forestry Program Started

In 1958, the school became Arizona State College. Also in 1958, the world-renowned forestry program was started.

1966: University Status Granted

In 1966, the Arizona Board of Regents granted Arizona State College university status, renaming it Northern Arizona University.

1968: Authorization to Offer Doctoral Degrees

In 1968, Northern Arizona University received authorization to offer Doctors of Philosophy and Education degrees.

1973: First Doctoral Candidates Graduate

In 1973, the first doctoral candidates graduated from Northern Arizona University.

1984: Maya Calé-Benzoor Becomes NCAA All American

In 1984, Maya Calé-Benzoor became an NCAA All American and set the school outdoor long jump record at 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m).

1989: Maya Calé-Benzoor Inducted into NAU Athletic Hall of Fame

In 1989, Maya Calé-Benzoor was inducted into the NAU Athletic Hall of Fame.

1989: Rolle Activity Center Named

In 1989, the Rolle Activity Center was named after Joseph C. Rolle, also known as "Mr. Lumberjack".

2000: Martin-Springer Institute Founded

In 2000, the Martin-Springer Institute was founded at NAU to raise awareness of human rights through Holocaust remembrance and education.

2007: W. A. Franke College of Business Renamed

Airline entrepreneur Bill Franke commitment of $25 million resulted in the renaming of the W. A. Franke College of Business in his honor in 2007.

2007: Business College Renamed

In 2007, the business college was renamed The W. A. Franke College of Business, named after entrepreneur Bill Franke.

August 2008: Channel 2 News Shuts Down

In August 2008, with the shutdown of Channel 2 news, NAZ Today became the only TV news source for the Flagstaff area.

2013: Arizona Cardinals Leave Flagstaff

In 2013, the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL ended their summer training camp at Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff campus, moving it to Glendale.

2013: First Repeat Champions Since 2013-14

In 2017, the Lumberjacks became the first repeat champions since 2013–14.

2014: NAU Partners with Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury

Beginning in 2014, NAU entered into partnerships with the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury of the NBA and WNBA respectively.

2014: Joined Lowell Discovery Telescope Partner Group

In 2014, Northern Arizona University joined the Lowell Discovery Telescope partner group, allowing NAU scientists to use the LDT for deep imaging of small objects in the Solar System.

2014: Lowest Score at NCAA Championships Since 2014

In 2017, the Lumberjacks victory was the lowest score (74) at the NCAA Championships since 2014.

October 9, 2015: Shooting at Mountain View Hall

On October 9, 2015, a shooting occurred at Northern Arizona University, resulting in the death of Colin Charles Brough and injuries to three others.

2016: Lumberjacks Win NCAA Championship

In 2016, the Lumberjacks won the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.

2017: Lumberjacks Repeat as NCAA Champions

In 2017, the Lumberjacks repeated as NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Champions, closing out a perfect season. Michael Smith earned the Bill Dellinger Award and Big Sky Coach of the Year awards.

2017: Club Tennis Team Wins National Invitational

In 2017, the club tennis team won the national Spring Invitational in the USTA Tennis on Campus league.

2018: NAZ Today Receives National Recognition

In 2018, NAZ Today received national recognition from the Broadcast Education Association for "best student television newscast produced more than four days weekly."

2018: Lumberjacks Win NCAA Championship for Third Consecutive Year

In 2018, the Lumberjacks won the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship for the third consecutive year. Michael Smith was named USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Indoor Coach of the Year.

2020: Lumberjacks Win NCAA Championship

In 2020, the Lumberjacks won the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.

2021: Lumberjacks Win NCAA Championship

In 2021, the Lumberjacks won the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.

2021: NSF Research Ranking

Northern Arizona University is ranked No. 178 in the most recent National Science Foundation (NSF) national research rankings for fiscal year 2021 performance of $69.1 million.

2021: Times Higher Education World University Rankings

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2021–2022 ranked NAU 501st–600th both internationally and nationally.

February 2022: Access2Excellence Admissions Pilot Program Announced

In February 2022, NAU announced the Access2Excellence admissions pilot program to increase Arizona high school students' access to college by removing the second language course availability barrier and accepting more fourth-year math courses.

February 2022: Student-Athlete High Performance Center Opens

In February 2022, the $47 million, 77,000 square-foot Student-Athlete High Performance Center opened, featuring various facilities including a weight room, academic center, basketball courts, and sports-medicine spaces.

April 2022: Access2Excellence Initiative Announced

In April 2022, NAU announced the Access2Excellence (A2E) initiative by President José Luis Cruz Rivera, providing tuition-free undergraduate education for Arizona residents with a household income of $65,000 or below and covering tuition for members of 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes, regardless of income or residency.

2022: New University President

In 2022, José Luis Cruz Rivera became the university's 17th president.

2022: Lumberjacks Win NCAA Championship

In 2022, the Lumberjacks won the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.

2022: Times Higher Education World University Rankings

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2021–2022 ranked NAU 501st–600th both internationally and nationally.

2023: Promotion of the School of Nursing

In 2023, alongside the creation of the College of Medicine, the university announced the promotion of the School of Nursing to its own freestanding College.

2023: Tuition and Fees for Arizona Residents

In 2023, the average cost of tuition and fees for a full-time, Arizona resident undergraduate student is $12,652 and $28,900 for out-of-state undergraduates. For 2023–24, WUE tuition and fees are $18,328.

2023: Creation of the College of Medicine

In 2023, the university announced the creation of the College of Medicine.

2023: Establishment of NAU Health Initiative

In 2023, the university announced the establishment of NAU Health initiative, which will include the creation of a medical school through the College of Medicine.

2023: Fall 2023 Enrollment

In Fall of 2023, Northern Arizona University enrolled 28,194 students, with 21,550 attending the Flagstaff campus.

2023: NSF Research Rankings

In fiscal year 2023, NAU was ranked No. 192 in the National Science Foundation (NSF) national research rankings.

2023: Top Graduate Programs

The top graduate programs for Fall 2023 were listed.

2023: Top Undergraduate Academic Degree Plans

The top undergraduate academic degree plans by enrollment for the 2023 fall semester were listed.

2024: Forbes Ranking

Forbes ranked NAU 297th out of the top 500 rated private and public colleges and universities in America for the 2024–25 report.

2024: Washington Monthly Ranking

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked NAU 155th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on NAU's contribution to the public good.

2024: Steve Sanghi College of Engineering Named

In 2024, the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering was named for Steve Sanghi after his $10 million donation to the college.

2025: Strategic Roadmap Goal

Part of the NAU 2025 Elevating Excellence strategic roadmap is to be "the nation's leading university serving Indigenous Peoples."

2025: Lumberjack Band Invited to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Northern Arizona University's Lumberjack Marching Band was invited to perform in the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2030: Carbon Neutrality Pledge

NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera pledged carbon neutrality at NAU by 2030.

Mentioned in this timeline

Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...

World War II - was a global conflict between the...

News encompasses information about current events disseminated through various media...

Arizona is a state in the Southwestern United States part...

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team located...

A telescope is an instrument used to observe distant objects...