History of Tufts University in Timeline

Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts, with additional locations including Boston and Talloires, France. Founded in 1852 by Christian Universalists as Tufts College, its original mission was to provide nonsectarian higher education. Jackson College for Women formerly served as its coordinate college. While initially a small liberal arts college, Tufts transitioned into a larger research university in the 1970s, and now offers doctoral programs across multiple disciplines.

1905: Increased admissions complexity

By 1905, the admissions requirements at Tufts University became lengthier, and the entrance examinations became more complex, requiring students to write essays and translations.

1908: Construction of Eaton Hall

Eaton Hall was constructed in 1908.

1908: Completion of Eaton Memorial Library

In 1908, Tufts' first library building, Eaton Memorial Library (now Eaton Hall), was completed, made possible with a donation from Andrew Carnegie.

1909: First Black Graduate

In 1909, Forrester Blanchard Washington became the first known Black graduate of Tufts, hailing from Salem.

1910: Establishment of Jackson College for Women

In 1910, Jackson College for Women was established as a coordinate college on the Tufts campus.

1911: Frank C. Doble Alumnus

Frank C. Doble who graduated in 1911 setup a charitable trust.

1912: "Tuftonia's Day" Fight Song Written

In 1912, Elliot W. Hayes wrote "Tuftonia's Day", the Tufts fight song. It is performed at most football games and can be heard at Tufts' a cappella concerts and homecoming.

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1919: First Black Woman Graduate of Dental Medicine

In 1919, Jessie Katherine Gideon Garnett was the first Black woman to graduate from the School of Dental Medicine at Tufts; she was the only woman and Black student in her class.

1925: Tufts sets admission quota

By 1925, Tufts University set an admission quota of 650 males. The examinations were similar in length to the 1905 tests, but the entry requirements decreased to a level comparable to those of 1856.

1933: Opening of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

In 1933, Tufts expanded with the opening of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the first graduate school of international affairs in the United States, as a joint effort between Tufts and Harvard University.

1935: Tufts Assumed Full Administration of Fletcher School

In 1935, Tufts assumed full administration of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

1943: Boston Red Sox Spring Training at Tufts

Due to World War II travel restrictions, in 1943, the Boston Red Sox held their spring training at Tufts College.

1945: Affiliation with the Boston School of Occupational Therapy

In 1945, Tufts formed an affiliation with the Boston School of Occupational Therapy.

1946: Standardized testing put in place

By 1946, standardized testing, admissions interviews, and other features of the university admissions process were in place at Tufts University.

1947: Bendetson Hall Designed

In 1947, Bendetson Hall, on the academic quad, was designed by Arland A. Dirlam.

1947: Jackson Gymnasium Designed

In 1947, Jackson Gymnasium downhill was designed by Arland Dirlam.

1950: Cohen Auditorium Designed

In 1950, Cohen Auditorium downhill was designed by Arland Dirlam.

1950: Construction of the War Memorial Library

In 1950, the War Memorial Library was constructed as an extension to the Eaton Memorial Library at Tufts University, in honor of the Tufts alumni who served in World War II.

1954: Carmichael Hall Designed

In 1954, Carmichael Hall, on the Uphill residential quad, was designed by Arland A. Dirlam.

1955: Restoration of Ballou Hall

Ballou Hall was restored by McKim, Mead, and White in 1955–56.

1955: Name Change to Tufts University

In 1955, reflecting its continued expansion, the school's name changed to Tufts University.

1958: Purchase of priory in Talloires

In 1958, Donald MacJannet and his wife Charlotte purchased a former Benedictine priory in Talloires, France, which they used as a summer camp site for several years. This location would later become the Tufts European Center.

1960: Merger with the Boston School of Occupational Therapy

In 1960, the Boston School of Occupational Therapy officially merged into Tufts.

1961: Graduate Study Added to Engineering Curriculum

In 1961, the College of Engineering at Tufts added graduate study to its curriculum, offering master's degrees in four departments.

1963: PhD Programs in Mechanical Engineering

In 1963, PhD programs were introduced in mechanical engineering at Tufts.

1964: PhD Programs in Electrical Engineering

In 1964, PhD programs were introduced in electrical engineering at Tufts.

1965: Collection moved to Wessell Library

By 1965, the collection at Tufts University had outgrown the Eaton Memorial Library and was moved to a new library named Wessell Library.

1968: John Bello Graduates with BA

In 1968, John Bello graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1969: Peter DeFazio Graduates with BA

In 1969, Peter DeFazio graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1969: Civil Rights Activism and Student Work Strike

In 1969, Tufts University became a focal point for Civil Rights activism when students staged a work strike. This was to protest the racist hiring policies of the construction company commissioned to build Lewis Hall. Students wrote letters, staged sit-ins, and collaborated with black workers, garnering support from major metropolitan areas in the Northeast.

1970: Adoption of New Hiring Policies

In 1970, Tufts University adopted new hiring policies following student protests against racist hiring practices in the construction of Lewis Hall. These new policies were subsequently adopted by other universities and led to the creation of training programs for minority employees on campus, in addition to the foundation of the Africana Center at Tufts.

1970: WMFO first aired

In 1970, Tufts' own radio station WMFO first aired, streaming locally on 91.5 FM.

1972: Peter Roth Graduates with BA

In 1972, Peter Roth graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1974: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Graduates with BA

In 1974, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

April 14, 1975: Fire Gutted Barnum Hall

On April 14, 1975, a fire destroyed Barnum Hall at Tufts, including P.T. Barnum's collection of animal specimens and the stuffed hide of Jumbo the elephant, the university's mascot.

1975: Meredith Vieira Graduates with BA

In 1975, Meredith Vieira graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1976: Jean Mayer Became President

In 1976, Jean Mayer became the president of Tufts University.

1976: Jonathan Tisch Graduates with BA

In 1976, Jonathan Tisch graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1976: Shashi Tharoor Earns MA Degree

In 1976, Shashi Tharoor earned a Master of Arts (MA) degree from Tufts University.

April 1977: TUTV goes operational

In April 1977, Tufts University's television station (TUTV) went operational from Curtis Hall and consisted of 40 student volunteers.

1977: Laura Lang and Jeff Kindler Graduate with BA

In 1977, Laura Lang and Jeff Kindler graduated with Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees from Tufts University.

1977: Peter Gallagher Graduates with BA

In 1977, Peter Gallagher graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1977: Shashi Tharoor Earns MALD Degree

In 1977, Shashi Tharoor earned a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) degree from Tufts University.

1978: Donation of Talloires campus to Tufts

In 1978, Donald MacJannet and his wife Charlotte donated the former Benedictine priory in Talloires, France, which they had been using as a summer camp, to Tufts University. This established the Tufts European Center.

1978: Jamie Dimon and Ellen J. Kullman Graduate with BA

In 1978, Jamie Dimon and Ellen J. Kullman graduated with Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees from Tufts University.

1979: Shashi Tharoor Earns PhD

In 1979, Shashi Tharoor earned a PhD from Tufts University.

1980: Integration of Jackson College with the College of Liberal Arts

In 1980, Jackson College was integrated with the College of Liberal Arts but was still recognized in the formal name of the undergraduate arts and sciences division.

1981: PhD Programs in Engineering Design

In 1981, PhD programs were introduced in engineering design at Tufts.

1982: Kostas Karamanlis Earns MA Degree

In 1982, Kostas Karamanlis earned a Master of Arts (MA) degree from Tufts University.

1982: Seth Godin Graduates with BS

In 1982, Seth Godin graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Tufts University.

1983: James Stavridis Earns MALD Degree

In 1983, James Stavridis earned a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) degree from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

1984: Tufts Gordon Institute Founded

In 1984, Bernard Marshall Gordon founded the Tufts Gordon Institute, to foster entrepreneurship in the engineering fields.

1984: James Stavridis and Kostas Karamanlis Earn PhD Degrees

In 1984, James Stavridis earned a PhD from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and Kostas Karamanlis earned a PhD from Tufts University.

1984: Ruben Bolling (Ken Fisher) Graduates with BA

In 1984, Ruben Bolling, whose real name is Ken Fisher, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1985: David Faber Graduates with BA

In 1985, David Faber graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1985: PhD Programs in Civil Engineering

In 1985, PhD programs were introduced in civil engineering at Tufts.

1986: Anthony Scaramucci Graduates with BA

In 1986, Anthony Scaramucci graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1987: Tracy Chapman Graduates with BA

In 1987, Tracy Chapman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1988: Hank Azaria Graduates with BA

In 1988, Hank Azaria graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1988: Pierre Omidyar Graduates with BS

In 1988, Pierre Omidyar graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Tufts University.

1990: Gregory Maguire Earns PhD

In 1990, Gregory Maguire earned a PhD from Tufts University.

1990: Mulatu Teshome Wirtu Earns MALD Degree

In 1990, Mulatu Teshome Wirtu earned a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) degree from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

1991: Deke Sharon Graduates with BA

In 1991, Deke Sharon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1991: Gordon Institute Accredited

In 1991, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredited the Gordon Institute to confer the degree of Master of Science in Engineering Management.

1992: Darin Strauss Graduates with BA

In 1992, Darin Strauss graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Tufts University.

1992: End of Jean Mayer's Presidency

In 1992, Jean Mayer's presidency at Tufts concluded.

1992: Gordon Institute Part of College of Engineering

In 1992, the Gordon Institute became part of the College of Engineering.

1995: Library renamed Tisch Library

In 1995, with the addition of 80,000 square feet, Wessell Library at Tufts University was renamed Tisch Library.

1997: FMS awards minors to students

Since 1997, the Film and Media Studies program (FMS) has awarded minors to nearly 1,000 students at Tufts University.

1999: College of Engineering Became School of Engineering

In 1999, the College of Engineering became the School of Engineering, transferring oversight of graduate engineering programs from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The Faculty of Arts and Science became the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering (AS&E).

2000: Founding of Tisch College

In 2000, Tisch College was founded at Tufts University with a $10 million gift from eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam. Its mission was "to educate for active citizenship".

2002: Jackson College Diploma Discontinued

In 2002, undergraduate women in arts and sciences stopped receiving their diplomas from Jackson College.

2005: Largest Donations in History Since 2005

Since 2005, Tufts received the largest donations in its history.

2006: Tufts named one of the "25 New Ivies"

In 2006, Newsweek named Tufts University as one of the "25 New Ivies".

2006: Renaming of Tisch College

In 2006, Tisch College was renamed after Jonathan Tisch donated $40 million to the university.

2006: Start of Capital Campaign

In 2006, Tufts started a capital campaign with the goal of raising $1.2 billion.

2006: Tufts incorporates experimental criteria

Since 2006, Tufts University has incorporated experimental criteria into the undergraduate application process to test "creativity and other non-academic factors," including allowing applicants to submit YouTube videos.

October 2010: Tufts ranked 12th in Fulbright scholars

According to the October 2010 rankings compiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education, Tufts University ranked 12th in the country for the number of Fulbright scholars, tied with Harvard and Johns Hopkins.

December 10, 2010: Capital Campaign Update

As of December 10, 2010, Tufts' capital campaign raised $1.14 billion towards its $1.2 billion goal.

October 21, 2011: Anthony P. Monaco Becomes President

On October 21, 2011, Anthony P. Monaco became Tufts' thirteenth president.

2011: Goal for Need-Blind Admission

By 2011, Tufts aimed to implement full need-blind admission as part of its capital campaign.

2011: Naked Quad Run Banned

In 2011, then-President Lawrence Bacow banned the tradition of students running naked laps on the Academic Quad prior to final exams, due to increasing scrutiny and injuries.

2011: Tufts ranked for student happiness and study abroad program

In The Princeton Review's 2010–2011 "Best 363 Colleges", Tufts University was ranked 14th for the happiest students, and its study abroad program was ranked third in the country.

2013: Mulatu Teshome Wirtu Becomes President of Ethiopia

In 2013, Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, an alumnus of Tufts University, became the President of Ethiopia.

2013: Women's Softball Team Wins NCAA Championship

In 2013, the Tufts University women's softball team won their first of three consecutive NCAA Division III National Championships.

December 6, 2014: Men's Soccer Team Wins First DIII National Championship

On December 6, 2014, the Tufts University men's soccer team won its first-ever DIII National Championship, defeating Wheaton College 4–2.

October 15, 2015: Computer Science Surpasses International Relations as Largest Major

As of October 15, 2015, Computer Science became the largest major at Tufts, surpassing International Relations with 466 declared majors.

December 2015: Reconstruction of Memorial Stairs Completed

In December 2015, Tufts University completed the reconstruction of the Memorial Stairs.

December 22, 2015: Acquisition of School of the Museum of Fine Arts Announced

On December 22, 2015, Tufts University announced that it would acquire the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

2015: Men's Lacrosse Team Wins NCAA Championship and Women's Softball Team wins NCAA Championship

In 2015, the Tufts University men's lacrosse team secured their third NCAA Division III National Championship, defeating Lynchburg College, and the women's softball team won their third consecutive NCAA Division III National Championship.

June 30, 2016: Merger with School of the Museum of Fine Arts Completed

On June 30, 2016, the merger between Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts was completed.

2016: Tufts newspaper ranked by Princeton Review

As of 2016, The Princeton Review ranked Tufts University's college newspaper as one of the best in the country, at No. 10.

2016: International Projects in Bridge Year Program

As of 2016, the 1+4 Bridge year program, offered by Tisch College at Tufts University, included community service-based gap year projects based in Brazil, Nicaragua, and Spain.

2016: Paul Allen Pledged Donation for Allen Discovery Centers

In 2016, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen pledged a $10 million donation over four years for the creation of the Allen Discovery Centers at Tufts and Stanford to fund research on the morphogenetic code.

2016: Men's Soccer Team Wins DIII National Championship

In 2016, the Tufts University men's soccer team won the DIII National Championship by defeating Calvin College 1–0, marking their second championship win.

2016: Central Energy Plant Construction

In 2016, the construction of a new Central Energy Plant was set to finish. It will replace an aging 60-year-old plant and provide efficiency boilers.

2016: Naked Quad Run Revitalized

Starting in 2016, the tradition of the naked quad run during spring finals week was revitalized and briefly became an annual tradition once more.

2017: Completion of the Science and Engineering Complex

In 2017, Tufts University completed construction of the Science and Engineering Complex (SEC).

2018: Mulatu Teshome Wirtu's Presidency Ends

In 2018, Mulatu Teshome Wirtu's term as the President of Ethiopia concluded.

2018: Launch of University College

In 2018, Tufts officially launched University College, the division of the university focused on lifelong learning.

2018: Men's Varsity Swim and Dive Team Wins NESCAC Championship

In 2018, the Tufts University Men's Varsity Swim and Dive team achieved a historic victory by winning the first NESCAC Championship in school history and placed 7th in the nation at the National Championship meet that same year.

September 2019: Antisemitic incident at Tufts

In September 2019, a Jewish student at Tufts University was targeted in an antisemitic incident when a swastika was attached to their door. Then-President Anthony Monaco condemned the act.

2019: Diversity Statistics for the Class of 2019

In 2019, of those accepted for admission to the undergraduate Class of 2019 at Tufts University, 27 percent were Asian, Hispanic, African American, or two or more races, with 145 international students and 6 DACA students.

2020: Controversy over student referendum and SJP

In 2020, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) proposed a student referendum at Tufts University regarding the campus police department's exchange program with Israeli police forces, leading to controversy and allegations of harassment against a student government member.

2020: Tufts Agreement to Rename Green Line Extension Station

In 2020, Tufts announced that it would pay the MBTA to rename the adjacent Green Line Extension station from "College Avenue" to "Medford/Tufts."

September 2021: Mezuzah stripped from doorpost

In September 2021, a Jewish student's mezuzah was "stripped from the doorpost" of the student's dormitory room at Tufts University.

2021: Antisemitism reports

In 2021, Tufts University was identified in the Jewish On Campus Antisemitism Annual Report: 2021 as the U.S. college or university with the most submitted reports of antisemitic incidents when adjusted for student body size. A campus-wide survey at Tufts found that more than half of Jewish student respondents reported observing some form of antisemitism at Tufts.

December 12, 2022: Opening of Medford/Tufts Green Line Extension

On December 12, 2022, the Medford Branch opened to Medford/Tufts on the Green Line Extension.

2022: Opening of the Joyce Cummings Center

In 2022, Tufts University planned to open the newly constructed Joyce Cummings Center.

2022: Tufts wins the Learfield Director's Cup

In 2022, Tufts University won the Learfield Director's Cup, marking a significant achievement for the university's athletic programs.

2022: Administration Reminds Students of Naked Quad Run Violations

In 2022, the administration reminded students that the naked quad run violated the Student Code of Conduct, Sexual Misconduct Policy, and local laws, and several students informally organized a nighttime run in underwear in response.

2022: Green Line Extension Offers Direct Connection to SMFA

In late-2022, the opening of the Green Line Extension of the MBTA Green Line E branch light rail transit route offered a direct connection between the SMFA and the main campus of Tufts University in Medford.

February 2023: Disruption of dialogue program

In February 2023, a program about dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians sponsored by Tufts University student organizations was disrupted by masked individuals, leading to condemnation by President Monaco.

July 1, 2023: Sunil Kumar Becomes President

On July 1, 2023, Sunil Kumar became the university's 14th president, succeeding Anthony Monaco who retired in 2023.

October 6, 2023: Installation Ceremony of Sunil Kumar

On October 6, 2023, Sunil Kumar was formally installed as the 14th president of Tufts University. He had officially assumed the role of president on July 1, 2023.

April 7, 2024: Protests against the Gaza War

On April 7, 2024, Tufts students joined other campuses across the United States in protests and setting up encampments in protest against the Gaza war.

2024: SAT and ACT score ranges for class of 2024

For the class of 2024 at Tufts University, the interquartile range of SAT scores was 1420–1550, while the range for the ACT was 33–35.

2024: Monetary Values

In 2024, some monetary gifts were valued at higher amounts than their original values in other years.

2024: Tufts receives an "F" grade from the ADL

In 2024, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) gave Tufts University a grade of "F" for failing to address campus antisemitism.

2024: Lacrosse Team Workout Rhabdomyolysis Incident

In 2024, twenty-four students participating in a Tufts University men's lacrosse team workout developed rhabdomyolysis, also known as rhabdo.

2024: Forbes ranks Tufts 36th among private colleges

In 2024-2025, Forbes ranked the undergraduate school of Tufts University 36th among private colleges in its America's Top Colleges ranking.

2024: Suspension of Tufts SJP

In fall 2024, Tufts SJP was suspended through 2027.

2025: Tufts' Grade Improves from ADL

In 2025, Tuft’s grade from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) improved to a grade of “C” from an F in 2024.

2026: Tufts ranked 36th by U.S. News & World Report

In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking, Tufts University was ranked 36th in the nation.

2027: End of suspension of Tufts SJP

In fall 2024, Tufts SJP was suspended through 2027.

2029: Tufts acceptance rate for the class of 2029

For the class of 2029, Tufts University admitted 10.5% of 33,400 applicants, with approximately 1,600 students being offered places in the freshmen class.