History of Stanford University in Timeline

Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university located in Stanford, California. Founded in 1885 by Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, in memory of their son, Leland Jr., it has become one of the world's leading academic and research institutions. Renowned for its contributions to technology, innovation, and various fields of science, Stanford attracts top students and faculty globally and plays a significant role in shaping the future of Silicon Valley and beyond.

1906: San Francisco Earthquake Causes Major Damage

In 1906, Stanford University suffered major damage due to the San Francisco earthquake, leading to the demolition of a new library and gymnasium, and some original features of Memorial Church and the Quad were never restored.

1906: San Francisco Earthquake Damages Campus

In 1906, a significant portion of Stanford's campus was damaged by the San Francisco earthquake, causing financial strain on the university.

1908: Establishment of Stanford University School of Medicine

In 1908, Stanford University School of Medicine was established through the acquisition of Cooper Medical College in San Francisco.

1908: Transition to a Professional Law School

In 1908, Stanford's law department transitioned from an undergraduate curriculum to a professional law school.

1917: Graduate School of Education Becomes a Professional School

In 1917, the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, evolving from the Department of the History and Art of Education, became a professional graduate school.

1917: Thomas Welton Stanford Gallery Built

The Thomas Welton Stanford Gallery was built in 1917. It serves as a teaching resource for the Department of Art & Art History and an exhibition venue.

1919: Establishment of the Hoover Institution

In 1919, Herbert Hoover started The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace to preserve artifacts related to World War I.

1919: Construction of Lou Henry Hoover House

In 1919, the Lou Henry Hoover House was built and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1923: Law School Accreditation

In 1923, Stanford's professional law school received accreditation from the American Bar Association.

1925: Founding of the Graduate School of Business

In 1925, the Stanford Graduate School of Business was founded, with Herbert Hoover playing a key role.

1930: Adoption of the Indian Mascot

From 1930, Stanford's sports teams had been known as the Indians.

1937: Construction of the Hanna–Honeycomb House

In 1937, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hanna–Honeycomb House was built and later listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1944: Ban on Sororities

In 1944, University President Donald Tresidder banned all Stanford sororities due to extreme competition.

1947: KZSU Radio Station Started

In 1947, the student-run radio station, KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM, started as an AM radio station.

1949: Wallace Sterling Becomes President

In 1949, Wallace Sterling became the President of Stanford University.

1949: Class of 1949

The White Memorial Fountain was built in memory of two brothers in the class of 1949, William White and John White II.

1951: Prince Lightfoot as Official Mascot

During the period from 1951 until 1972, Prince Lightfoot (portrayed by Timm Williams) was the official mascot.

1951: Establishment of Stanford Research Park

In 1951, Stanford Research Park was established in Palo Alto, marking it as the world's first university research park and fostering innovation.

1952: Death of John White II

John White II, part of the class of 1949, died shortly after graduating in 1952.

1956: William Shockley Wins Nobel Prize

In 1956, William Shockley, co-inventor of the silicon transistor, and future Stanford professor of physics, won the Nobel Prize for Physics. Shortly after, he would move to Palo Alto and found Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory.

1959: School of Medicine moves to Stanford Campus

In 1959, the Stanford University School of Medicine, which was established in 1908 through the acquisition of Cooper Medical College, relocated to the Stanford campus.

1962: Establishment of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

In 1962, the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory was established to conduct research in particle physics.

1964: Installation of White Memorial Fountain

In 1964, White Memorial Fountain (also known as "The Claw") was installed, designed by Aristides Demetrios, honoring William White and John White II.

1968: Wallace Sterling's Presidency Ends

In 1968, Wallace Sterling's presidency at Stanford ended; he oversaw the institution's growth into an internationally recognized academic powerhouse.

1969: Installation of Mobile Homes at Manzanita Park

From 1969, 118 mobile homes were installed as "temporary" housing at Manzanita Park until 1991.

1970: Establishment of Columbae Theme House

In 1970, Columbae, a theme house focused on Social Change Through Nonviolence, was established.

1971: Stanford Prison Experiment Criticized

In 1971, the Stanford prison experiment was criticized as unethical.

1972: Nickname Reverts to Cardinal

From 1972, Stanford's official nickname was the Cardinal, but, during this time, there was debate among students and administrators concerning what the mascot and team name should be.

1972: Removal of the Indian Mascot

In 1972, Native American students and staff members successfully lobbied University President Richard Lyman to abolish the "Indian" name and mascot.

1972: Establishment of Synergy Theme House

In 1972, Synergy, a theme house focused on Exploring Alternatives, was established.

1973: Phi Sigma Fraternity Becomes a Self-Op

In 1973, Phi Sigma, formerly Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at 1018 Campus Drive, became a Self-Op.

1974: Murder of Arlis Perry

In 1974, Arlis Perry was murdered in Stanford Memorial Church; the case was not solved until 2018.

1975: Student Referendum on the Mascot Issue

In 1975, a student referendum was against restoring the Indian mascot and included new suggestions like the Robber Barons, the Sequoias, the Trees, the Cardinals, the Railroaders, the Spikes, and the Huns.

1976: Fire Protection Contract with Palo Alto Fire Department

Since 1976, fire protection has been provided by contract with the Palo Alto Fire Department.

1976: Consecutive Years of NCAA Team Championships

Starting in the academic year 1976-77, Stanford won at least one NCAA team championship each academic year for 49 consecutive years.

1977: Lifting of the Ban on Sororities

Following Title IX, the Board of Trustees lifted the 33-year ban on sororities at Stanford in 1977.

1978: Theodore Streleski's Murder

In 1978, Theodore Streleski murdered his faculty advisor.

1981: Misuse of Government Funds

In 1981, the misuse of government funds led to severe penalties for Stanford's research funding.

1981: Debate Over Mascot and Team Name

Until 1981, there was debate among students and administrators concerning what the mascot and team name should be at Stanford.

1987: Founding of The Stanford Review

The Stanford Review, a conservative student newspaper, was founded in 1987.

1988: Bronze cast of The Thinker Granted Residence at Stanford

In 1988, an original bronze cast of The Thinker was granted residence at Stanford by art collector B. Gerald Cantor, with the university expected to attain full ownership sometime in the future.

1991: Mobile Homes at Manzanita Park

Until 1991, 118 mobile homes had been installed as "temporary" housing at Manzanita Park from 1969.

1992: Resignation of President Donald Kennedy

In 1992, President Donald Kennedy resigned due to the misuse of government funds.

1994: NACDA Directors' Cups

From 1994-1995 through to 2018-19, Stanford won 25 consecutive NACDA Directors' Cups, awarded annually to the most successful overall college sports program in the nation.

1995: NACDA Directors' Cups

From 1994-1995 through to 2018-19, Stanford won 25 consecutive NACDA Directors' Cups, awarded annually to the most successful overall college sports program in the nation.

1995: Founding of Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

In 1995, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, a leading online academic resource, was founded by Stanford senior researcher Edward Zalta.

2003: Stanford Ranked Second by ARWU

From 2003, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) ranked Stanford second in the world (after Harvard) most years until 2024.

2006: Stanford Receives $4.5 Billion

In 2006, Stanford received $4.5 billion and spent more than $2.1 billion in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

2008: Land Status in 2008

As of 2008, 60% of Stanford's land remained undeveloped.

2010: Percentage of First-Generation Students in 2010

In 2010, 15% of undergraduates were first-generation students at Stanford.

2012: Lake Lagunita Often Dry

As of 2012, Lake Lagunita was often dry, and the university had no plans to artificially fill it.

2012: Financial Aid Awarded in 2012

In 2012, Stanford University awarded $126 million in need-based financial aid to 3,485 students, with an average aid package of $40,460.

2012: Relationship between Elise Clougherty and Joe Lonsdale

In the spring of 2012, Elise Clougherty and Joe Lonsdale entered into a relationship when she was a junior and he was her mentor in a Stanford entrepreneurship course.

2013: Undergraduate On-Campus Housing Statistics

By 2013, 89% of undergraduate students lived in on-campus university housing, with first-year students required to live on campus and all undergraduates guaranteed housing for all four years.

2013: Elise Clougherty files charges against Joe Lonsdale

By the spring of 2013, Elise Clougherty had broken off the relationship and filed charges at Stanford against Joe Lonsdale.

2013: Stanford Named "Dream College" by Students

From 2013, in polls by The Princeton Review, Stanford was most commonly named the "dream college" for students every year until 2020.

October 2014: Dedication of the Windhover Contemplation Center

In October 2014, the Windhover Contemplation Center was dedicated to provide spiritual sanctuary for students and staff, displaying the "Windhover" paintings by Nathan Oliveira.

2014: Stanford University Libraries Statistics

By 2014, Stanford University Libraries (SUL) comprised twenty-four libraries, holding a collection of over 9.3 million volumes, nearly 300,000 rare books, 1.5 million e-books, 2.5 million audiovisual materials, 77,000 serials, and nearly 6 million microform holdings.

2014: Opening of the Anderson Collection

In 2014, Stanford opened the Anderson Collection, a new museum focused on postwar American art, founded by a donation of 121 works by Mary and Harry Anderson.

2014: Reports of Rape on Campus

In 2014, Stanford ranked tenth highest in the nation in "total of reports of rape" on its main campus, with 26 reports of rape.

2014: Stanford's Ranking in Campus Rapes

In 2014, Stanford was one of the top ten universities in campus rapes, with 26 reported that year.

February 2015: Elise Clougherty files lawsuit against Joe Lonsdale

In February 2015, Elise Clougherty filed a sexual assault and harassment lawsuit against venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale.

2015: Graduate Student On-Campus Housing Statistics

By 2015, 55 percent of the graduate student population lived on campus.

2015: Completion of Newer Dorms at Manzanita Park

In 2015, newer dorms Castano, Kimball, Lantana, and the Humanities House were completed at the site of Manzanita Park.

2015: Demolition of Meyer Library

In 2015, the Meyer Library was demolished and Lathrop Library (previously Meyer Library), held various student-accessible media resources and houses one of the largest East Asia collections with 540,000 volumes.

2015: Sexual Assault by Brock Turner

In January 2015, Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted by Brock Turner, a Stanford freshman student-athlete. Two graduate students intervened and held Turner until police arrived.

2015: Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault

In Stanford's 2015 Campus Climate Survey, 4.7 percent of female undergraduates reported experiencing sexual assault, and 32.9 percent reported experiencing sexual misconduct.

2015: No-Loan Policy Implementation

Starting in 2015, Stanford implemented a no-loan policy for undergraduates, waiving tuition, room, and board for most families with incomes below $65,000 and reducing tuition for those below $150,000.

March 2016: Conviction of Brock Turner

In March 2016, Brock Turner was convicted on three felony charges for sexually assaulting Chanel Miller.

June 2016: Sentencing of Brock Turner

In June 2016, Brock Turner received a jail sentence of six months and was declared a sex offender for sexually assaulting Chanel Miller.

2016: Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research

By 2016, the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research oversaw eighteen independent laboratories, centers, and institutes at Stanford.

2016: Sports Statistics at Stanford

In 2016, Stanford had sixteen male varsity sports, twenty female varsity sports, nineteen club sports, and about 27 intramural sports.

2016: Biohub Medical Science Research Center Founded

In 2016, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco formed the Biohub, a medical science research center. This initiative was funded by a $600 million commitment from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and pediatrician Priscilla Chan, and it aims to design advanced healthcare units.

2016: Rio de Janeiro Olympics Medals

Stanford-affiliated athletes won 27 medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

2017: Four-Year Graduation Rate for the Class of 2017

The four-year graduation rate for the class of 2017 cohort was 72.9%, and the six-year rate was 94.4%.

2018: NACDA Directors' Cups

From 1994-1995 through to 2018-19, Stanford won 25 consecutive NACDA Directors' Cups, awarded annually to the most successful overall college sports program in the nation.

2018: Degrees Awarded in 2018-2019 School Year

Stanford awarded 1,819 undergraduate degrees, 2,393 master's degrees, 770 doctoral degrees, and 3270 professional degrees in the 2018–2019 school year.

2018: Resolution of the Arlis Perry Murder Case

The 1974 murder of Arlis Perry in Stanford Memorial Church was not solved until 2018.

2019: Admissions Factors in 2019

As of 2019, Stanford considers extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities as 'very important' in admissions decisions.

2019: Student Enrollment for 2019-2020 School Year

During the 2019-2020 school year, Stanford enrolled 6,996 undergraduate and 10,253 graduate students.

2019: Stanford #1 on Reuters' Most Innovative Universities List

In 2019, Stanford University was ranked 1st on Reuters' list of the World's Most Innovative Universities for the fifth consecutive year.

2020: Student Enrollment for 2019-2020 School Year

During the 2019-2020 school year, Stanford enrolled 6,996 undergraduate and 10,253 graduate students.

2020: Tokyo Summer Olympics Medals

In the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Stanford-affiliated athletes won 26 medals, more than any other university.

2020: Stanford Named "Dream College" by Students and Parents

Until 2020, Stanford was most frequently named the ultimate "dream college" for students and parents, based on polls of college applicants by The Princeton Review.

2021: Faculty Size in 2021

By 2021, Stanford University had a total of 2,288 tenure-line faculty, senior fellows, center fellows, and medical faculty on staff.

2021: Faculty Senate Representatives in 2021

In 2021, the Faculty Senate comprised 54 elected representatives of the faculty.

2021: Research Expenditure in 2021/22

Stanford's research expenditure in fiscal years of 2021/22 was $1.82 billion, with a total of 7,900 sponsored projects.

January 1, 2022: NCAA Individual Championships

As of January 1, 2022, Stanford athletes have won 529 NCAA individual championships.

2022: Stanford Rhodes Scholars

By 2022, 128 Stanford students or alumni have been named Rhodes Scholars.

2022: Stanford Apologizes for Jewish Admissions Discrimination

In 2022, Stanford issued its first institutional apology to the Jewish community after confirming deliberate discrimination against Jewish applicants and misleading concerned parties.

2022: Launch of Dual-Enrollment Computer Science Program

In 2022, Stanford started its first dual-enrollment computer science program for high school students from low-income communities, as a pilot project which then inspired the founding of the Qualia Global Scholars Program.

2022: Stanford Ranked #1 by Washington Monthly

In 2022, Washington Monthly ranked Stanford at the 1st position in their annual list of top universities in the United States.

2022: Stanford Ranked #1 "Dream College" by The Princeton Review

In a 2022 survey by The Princeton Review, Stanford was ranked 1st among the top ten "dream colleges" of America, and was considered to be the ultimate "dream college" of both students and parents.

January 2023: Refilling of Lake Lagunita

In January 2023, heavy rains refilled Lake Lagunita at Stanford University to a depth of up to 8 feet.

August 2023: Endowment Value in August 2023

As of August 2023, Stanford's endowment, including real estate and other investments, was valued at $36.5 billion.

September 2023: Richard Saller Becomes Interim President

In September 2023, Richard Saller became the interim president of Stanford University.

October 2023: Jenny Martinez Becomes Provost

In October 2023, Jenny Martinez became the fourteenth provost of Stanford University.

2023: Accreditation Review in 2023

Stanford underwent its latest accreditation review by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 2023.

April 4, 2024: Jonathan Levin Appointed as President

On April 4, 2024, the board of trustees announced that Jonathan Levin would become the thirteenth president of Stanford, effective August 1, 2024.

August 1, 2024: Jonathan Levin to Become Thirteenth President

Jonathan Levin is set to assume the role of the thirteenth president of Stanford University on August 1, 2024.

2024: Rankings for Stanford's Graduate School of Business and Law School

In 2024, Stanford Graduate School of Business has consistently been both the most selective business school in the world and consistently ranked 1st in the list of best business schools year-over-year consecutively by various reputed studies including Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report. Stanford Law School is also consistently been amongst the two most selective law schools in the world and consistently ranked 1st in the list of best law schools year-over-year consecutively for 2024 in U.S. News & World Report.

2024: Stanford's Ranking in The Wall Street Journal

In The Wall Street Journal's 2024 rankings, Stanford continues to be recognized as one of the top universities, consistently competing for the leading positions.