History of University of Arizona in Timeline
The University of Arizona, established in 1885 in Tucson, is a public land-grant research university. It was the first university in the Arizona Territory and is governed by the Arizona Board of Regents. As of 2023, it has over 53,000 students enrolled across 22 colleges and schools, including notable programs like the Eller College of Management, Wyant College of Optical Sciences, and Colleges of Medicine in Phoenix and Tucson. It also houses the James E. Rogers College of Law.
8 hours ago : University of Arizona Faces $59 Million Loss in Federal Funding for its 64 Grants.
The University of Arizona is facing a significant financial setback, losing $59 million in federal funding across 64 grants. This loss raises concerns about the university's research and academic programs and its budget.
1904: First Baseball Season
In 1904, the University of Arizona baseball team had its first season.
1914: Football team nickname change
In 1914 the University of Arizona football team's nickname changed from "Varsity" to the "Wildcats".
1914: Wildcats nickname origin
The University of Arizona's athletic teams derived the nickname "Wildcats" from a 1914 football game with Occidental College.
1915: Rufus Arizona was introduced
In 1915, Arizona's first mascot was a real desert bobcat named "Rufus Arizona".
1919: Conception of Campus Master Plan
In 1919, John Lyman conceived the campus master plan modeled after the University of Virginia.
1919: Berger Memorial Fountain Dedication
In 1919, the Berger Memorial Fountain, honoring UA students who died in World War I, was established at the west entrance of Old Main.
1924: Recognition by the Association of American Universities
In 1924, The University of Arizona gained recognition by the Association of American Universities during Cloyd Marvin's tenure as president.
1927: Construction of Main Library
In 1927, Roy Place designed the main library buildings and Centennial Hall for the Arizona State Museum.
December 7, 1941: Sinking of the USS Arizona
On December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor. A bell from the ship eventually found a permanent home in the clock tower of the Student Union Memorial Center.
1945: Publication of Arizona Quarterly begins
Since 1945, the University of Arizona has published Arizona Quarterly, an academic literary journal.
July 1946: Arrival of USS Arizona Bell on Campus
In July 1946, the bell from the USS Arizona arrived on the University of Arizona campus and was housed in the clock tower of the Student Union Memorial Center.
1951: Original Student Union Opens
In 1951, the original 270,000-square-foot Student Union Memorial Center opened.
1956: Baseball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship Title Series
In 1956, the University of Arizona baseball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship title series.
1959: Baseball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship Title Series
In 1959, the University of Arizona baseball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship title series.
1962: Honors College Start
In 1962, the University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College started with an acceptance of seventy-five students.
1963: Robert M. Tanita reached NCAA finals tournament as WAC champion
In 1963, Robert M. Tanita was a nationally ranked collegiate wrestler who reached the NCAA finals tournament as WAC champion.
1963: Baseball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship Title Series
In 1963, the University of Arizona baseball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship title series.
1975: Men's basketball team begins NCAA Tournament streak
Between 1975 and 2001, the University of Arizona men's basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament for 27 consecutive years.
1976: Main Library opens
In 1976, the Main Library opened. It serves as the University of Arizona library system's reference, periodical, and administrative center and houses most of the main collections.
1976: Baseball Team National Championship
In 1976, the University of Arizona baseball team captured a national championship title, coached by Jerry Kindall.
1976: Construction of Main Library
In 1976, the main library was built on the east side of campus near the sports stadiums.
1979: Inception of Icecats
In 1979, the school's club hockey team, formerly known as the Icecats, was founded.
1980: National Championship for Synchronized Swimming
In 1980, a national championship for synchronized swimming was won.
1980: Baseball Team National Championship
In 1980, the University of Arizona baseball team captured another national championship title, coached by Jerry Kindall.
1981: Doug Towne won the 500-yard freestyle
In 1981, Doug Towne won the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA championships.
1981: National Championship for Synchronized Swimming
In 1981, a national championship for synchronized swimming was won.
1982: UCLA's win in swimming and diving
In 1982, UCLA claimed a title in swimming and diving.
1982: Vance Johnson won the NCAA long jump
In 1982, football standout Vance Johnson won the NCAA long jump.
1983: Lute Olson hired as head coach
In 1983, Lute Olson was hired as head coach of the men's basketball team, marking the beginning of one of the nation's most successful programs.
1984: National Championship for Synchronized Swimming
In 1984, a national championship for synchronized swimming was won.
1985: Men's basketball team begins NCAA Tournament streak
Between 1985 and 2009, the University of Arizona men's basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament for 25 consecutive years.
1986: Aaron Ramirez won NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship
In 1986, Aaron Ramirez won an individual national title at the NCAA Men's Cross Country Championships.
1986: Chip Hale on College World Series championship team
In 1986, Chip Hale played for the Wildcats under Jerry Kindall and was on the College World Series championship team.
1986: Wilbur married Wilma
In 1986, Wilbur married his longtime wildcat girlfriend, Wilma.
1986: Baseball Team National Championship
In 1986, the University of Arizona baseball team captured a national championship title, coached by Jerry Kindall.
1987: Arizona begins CERN program collaboration
Since 1987, the University of Arizona has been involved in theoretical and experimental research in particle and nuclear physics within the CERN program framework. The collaboration was initiated by Peter A. Carruthers and Johann Rafelski.
1988: Men's basketball team reaches Final Four
In 1988, the University of Arizona men's basketball team reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
1988: Kenny Lofton in Final Four team
Kenny Lofton, now best known as a former Major League Baseball star, was a four-year letter winner as a Wildcat basketball player and was on the 1988 Final Four team.
1989: Mariusz Podkoscielny won the 1650-yard at the NCAA National Championships
In 1989, Mariusz Podkoscielny won the 1650-yard (mile) at the NCAA National Championships held at the IUPUI Natatorium.
1990: Men's basketball team begins NCAA Tournament streak
Between 1990 and the present, the University of Arizona men's basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament for 25 consecutive years.
1991: Annika Sörenstam won in golf
In 1991, Annika Sörenstam won in golf.
1991: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 1991, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
1991: First closed system experiment at Biosphere 2
In 1991, the first closed system experiment at Biosphere 2 commenced. The facility was constructed by private developers with funding from Ed Bass.
1992: Softball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship
In 1992, the Arizona softball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship.
1993: Alix Creek and Michelle Oldham won NCAA Women's Doubles Tennis title
In 1993, Alix Creek and Michelle Oldham won the NCAA Women's Doubles Tennis title, defeating Texas in the Final.
1993: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 1993, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
1994: Martin Keino won NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship
In 1994, Martin Keino won an individual national title at the NCAA Men's Cross Country Champions.
1994: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 1994, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
1994: Men's basketball team reaches Final Four
In 1994, the University of Arizona men's basketball team reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
1994: Arizona joins CERN-LHC ATLAS Collaboration
In 1994, the University of Arizona officially joined the CERN-LHC ATLAS Collaboration.
1994: Tanya Hughes wins NCAA Woman of the Year award
In 1994, track and field athlete Tanya Hughes won the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
1995: Softball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship
In 1995, the Arizona softball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship.
1996: Amy Skieresz won NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship
In 1996, Amy Skieresz won an individual national title at the NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship.
1996: Arizona Health Sciences Library built
In 1996, the Arizona Health Sciences Library was built on the Health Sciences Center on the north end of campus and in Phoenix on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. It serves multiple colleges and health professionals.
1996: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 1996, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
1997: Eugene Edgerson in Final Four squads
Eugene Edgerson played on the 1997 and 2001 Final Four squads.
1997: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 1997, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
1997: Men's basketball team wins NCAA National Championship
In 1997, the University of Arizona men's basketball team defeated the University of Kentucky to win the NCAA National Championship (NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship).
1998: Texas and Auburn's winning streak in Swimming and diving
In 1998, Texas and Auburn started a winning streak in swimming and diving.
1998: Softball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship
In 1998, the Arizona softball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship.
2001: End of men's basketball team's NCAA Tournament streak
Between 1975 and 2001, the University of Arizona men's basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament for 27 consecutive years.
2001: Eugene Edgerson in Final Four squads
Eugene Edgerson played on the 1997 and 2001 Final Four squads.
2001: Tara Chaplin won NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship
In 2001, Tara Chaplin won an individual national title at the NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship.
2001: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 2001, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
2002: Softball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship
In 2002, the Arizona softball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship.
2002: Integrated Learning Center completed
In 2002, the Integrated Learning Center (ILC), a $20 million computer facility, was completed for use by incoming students. It features classrooms, auditoriums, a courtyard with vending machines, and an expanded computer lab with workstations and 3D printing.
November 2003: Mike Stoops leading the football program
From November 2003 until October 2011, the football program was led by Mike Stoops.
2003: Reconstruction of the Student Union Memorial Center
Between 2000 and 2003, the Student Union Memorial Center was completely reconstructed, replacing the original structure.
2003: ZonaZoo Officially Implemented
In 2003, ZonaZoo, the official student section and student ticketing program for the University of Arizona Athletics, was officially implemented.
2003: Opening of the Stevie Eller Dance Theater
In 2003, the Stevie Eller Dance Theater opened as a dedicated performance venue for the UA's dance program, designed by Gould Evans and awarded the 2003 Citation Award from the American Institute of Architects, Arizona Chapter.
2004: Baseball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship Title Series
In 2004, the University of Arizona baseball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship title series.
2005: Peter Likins Vacates Post
Peter Likins vacated his post as president at the conclusion of the 2005-06 academic term.
2005: Arizona NBA draft picks
2006: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 2006, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
2006: Robert N. Shelton Becomes President
Robert N. Shelton began his tenure as president of the University of Arizona in 2006.
2007: Softball Team Wins NCAA Women's College World Series Title
In 2007, the Arizona softball team won an NCAA Women's College World Series title under head coach Mike Candrea.
2007: University becomes management partner of Biosphere 2
In 2007, the University of Arizona became the official management partner of the Biosphere 2 facility for research purposes.
2007: NCAA Championship in Men and Women's Swimming and Diving
In 2007, the Wildcats won their first NCAA Championship in men and women's swimming and diving for the seasons of 2007–2008.
May 2008: Phoenix Mars Mission reaches planet's surface
In May 2008, the Phoenix Mars Mission reached the surface of Mars. The mission's purpose was to improve knowledge of the Martian Arctic.
2008: National Science Foundation funds iPlant Collaborative
In 2008, the National Science Foundation provided a $50 million grant to fund the iPlant Collaborative.
2008: NCAA Championship in Men and Women's Swimming and Diving
In 2008, the Wildcats won their first NCAA Championship in men and women's swimming and diving for the seasons of 2007–2008.
2008: Arizona NBA draft picks
2009: End of men's basketball team's NCAA Tournament streak
Between 1985 and 2009, the University of Arizona men's basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament for 25 consecutive years.
2009: Lacey Nymeyer wins NCAA Woman of the Year Award
In 2009, UA swimmer Lacey Nymeyer won the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
2010: Justine Schluntz wins NCAA Woman of the Year Award
In 2010, UA swimmer Justine Schluntz won the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
2010: Softball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship
In 2010, the Arizona softball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship.
June 2011: University to assume ownership of Biosphere 2
In June 2011, the University of Arizona announced it would assume full ownership of the Biosphere 2 scientific research facility in Oracle, Arizona.
October 10, 2011: Mike Stoops fired as head coach
On October 10, 2011, Mike Stoops was fired as the head coach of the University of Arizona football program.
November 21, 2011: Rich Rodriguez hired as head coach
On November 21, 2011, Rich Rodriguez was hired as the head coach of the University of Arizona football program.
2011: Icecats became Arizona Wildcats
As of 2011, the Icecats are part of ACHA Division I, and are known formally as the Arizona Wildcats hockey team.
2011: College Sustainability Report Card Grade
In 2011, the Sustainable Endowments Institute gave the University of Arizona a College Sustainability Report Card grade of "B."
2011: Robert N. Shelton Resigns
In the summer of 2011, Robert N. Shelton resigned from his position as president.
2012: Ann Weaver Hart Becomes President
Ann Weaver Hart served as the University of Arizona's first female president starting in 2012.
2012: UA Library System statistics
As of 2012, the University of Arizona's library system contains over six million print volumes, 1.1 million electronic books, and 74,000 electronic journals.
2012: Baseball Team National Championship
In 2012, the University of Arizona baseball team captured a national championship title, coached by Andy Lopez.
2012: Arizona football team in New Mexico Bowl
In 2012, the University of Arizona football team went to the New Mexico Bowl, where they defeated the University of Nevada Wolf Pack.
2013: Brigetta Barrett won the women's high jump
In 2013, Brigetta Barrett won the women's high jump.
2013: iPlant Collaborative receives renewal grant
In 2013, the iPlant Collaborative received a $50 million renewal grant from the National Science Foundation.
2014: ESPN Ranked ZonaZoo as the Top Student Cheering Section
In 2014, ESPN ranked ZonaZoo as the top student cheering section in the PAC 12 conference.
2014: Arizona football team win Pac-12 South
In 2014, the University of Arizona football team won the Pac-12 South and played in the Fiesta Bowl.
2014: Optional Tuition Guarantee Program
In 2014, the University of Arizona offered an optional tuition guarantee program for undergraduate residents at $11,591 and $30,745 for non-residents through the 2018-19 academic year.
2014: National Merit Scholars
In the 2014-2015 academic year, 68 freshman students were National Merit Scholars.
2015: UA Libraries ranked 37th overall
According to the 2015-2016 Association of Research Libraries' report, UA libraries are ranked as the 37th overall university library in North America for university investment.
2015: Chip Hale Managed Arizona Diamondbacks
In 2015, Chip Hale served as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
2015: CAPLA Ranked by Design Intelligence
In 2015, Design Intelligence ranked the College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture's undergraduate program in architecture 10th in the nation for all universities, public and private, and UA ranked 20th in overall undergraduate architecture programs.
2015: ZonaZoo Received the Best Student Section of the Year Award
In 2015, ZonaZoo received the Best Student Section of the Year award from the National Collegiate Student Section Association.
2015: Arizona football team plays in New Mexico Bowl
In 2015, the University of Arizona football team played in their fourth consecutive bowl game, defeating the University of New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl.
2015: Opening of the ENR2 Building
In 2015, the University of Arizona opened the ENR2, housing the School of Geography, Development and Environment, featuring sustainable elements like a cutting-edge air conditioning system and a water-harvesting tank.
2015: iPlant Collaborative rebranded as CyVerse
In late 2015, the iPlant Collaborative was rebranded as "CyVerse". This cloud-based data management platform expanded beyond life sciences to provide cloud-computing access across all scientific disciplines.
2015: National Merit Scholars
In the 2014-2015 academic year, 68 freshman students were National Merit Scholars.
March 2016: Lunar and Planetary Laboratory active missions
As of March 2016, the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory is actively involved in ten spacecraft missions: Cassini VIMS; Grail; the HiRISE camera orbiting Mars; the Juno mission orbiting Jupiter; Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO); Maven, which will explore Mars' upper atmosphere and interactions with the Sun; Solar Probe Plus, a historic mission into the Sun's atmosphere for the first time; Rosetta's VIRTIS; WISE; and OSIRIS-REx.
2016: UA Libraries ranked 37th overall
According to the 2015-2016 Association of Research Libraries' report, UA libraries are ranked as the 37th overall university library in North America for university investment.
2016: Honors College Enrollment
By the academic year 2016-2017, the honors college had grown to 5,508 students.
2016: Figueredo attends London Conference on Intelligence
In 2016, Aurelio Jose Figueredo used funds from the Pioneer Fund grant to attend the London Conference on Intelligence, where presentations on eugenics were given.
2016: Chip Hale Managed Arizona Diamondbacks
In 2016, Chip Hale served as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
2016: Baseball Team Appeared in NCAA National Championship Title Series
In 2016, the University of Arizona baseball team appeared in the NCAA National Championship title series.
February 2017: Dave Heeke named Director of Athletics
In February 2017, Dave Heeke was named Arizona's 13th Director of Athletics.
April 1, 2017: Dave Heeke becomes Director of Athletics
On April 1, 2017, Dave Heeke officially started as Arizona's 13th Director of Athletics.
August 2017: Arizona and Universidad de Sonora renew partnership
In August 2017, the partnership between the University of Arizona and Universidad de Sonora was renewed. The renewed partnership focuses on collaboration in geology and physics.
2017: Ann Weaver Hart Leaves Office
Ann Weaver Hart, the university's first female president, served until 2017.
2017: Honors College Renamed
In 2017, the Honors College was renamed the W.A. Franke Honors College in recognition of a $25 million gift from William A. "Bill" Franke.
2017: Arizona football team in Foster Farms Bowl
In 2017, the University of Arizona football team lost to the Purdue Boilermakers in the Foster Farms Bowl, the team's 21st bowl game.
2017: Women's Soccer Team Finishes Season
In 2017, the University of Arizona women's soccer team wrapped up their season on Nov. 17 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, finishing with an 11–5–4 record.
2017: Center for World University Rankings
The Center for World University Rankings in 2017 ranked Arizona No. 52 in the world and 34 in the U.S.
January 2, 2018: Rodriguez relieved of duties
On January 2, 2018, Rodriguez was relieved of his duties as head football coach following an internal university investigation into sexual harassment claims.
2018: Greek life participation
As of 2018, more than 16% of students are part of the University of Arizona's 52-chapter Greek life program, which recognizes 51 fraternity and sorority chapters.
2018: ZonaZoo Received the Best Student Section of the Year Award
In 2018, ZonaZoo received the Best Student Section of the Year award from the National Collegiate Student Section Association.
2018: UA receives funding from the Pioneer Fund
In 2018, the University of Arizona received funding from the Pioneer Fund, an organization known for promoting scientific racism and eugenics. Aurelio Jose Figueredo applied for the funds.
2018: Tuition Guarantee Program
Students enrolled in UA's optional tuition guarantee program in 2014 remained at $11,591 for residents and $30,745 for non-residents through the 2018-19 academic year.
2019: Garimella Becomes President of University of Vermont
Suresh Garimella was the president of the University of Vermont from 2019 to 2024 before becoming the president of U of A.
April 17, 2020: Temporary Pay Cuts and Furloughs
On April 17, 2020, the University of Arizona announced temporary pay cuts and furloughs for its 15,000 employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
December 2020: Jedd Fisch Chosen as Wildcats Head Football Coach
In December 2020, Jedd Fisch was chosen as the Wildcats’ 32nd head football coach. Fisch was previously the QB coach for the New England Patriots.
December 2020: Cessation of USS Arizona Bell Ringing
In December 2020, at the request of the U.S. Navy, the ringing of the USS Arizona bell was stopped to preserve the historic artifact.
2020: Purchase of Ashford University
In 2020, the University of Arizona purchased Ashford University from Zovio and renamed it The University of Arizona Global Campus. The purchase was met with heavy criticism due to ongoing investigations and lawsuits against Ashford.
June 2021: Jay Johnson Resigned from Wildcat Program
In June 2021, Jay Johnson resigned from the Wildcat program to accept the head coaching job at LSU.
July 2021: Chip Hale named new head coach of Arizona baseball
In July 2021, Chip Hale was named the new head coach of Arizona baseball.
October 2022: Murder of a University Professor
In October 2022, a University of Arizona professor was murdered on campus, allegedly by a former student, leading to an independent investigation of campus safety and a faculty senate vote of "no confidence" in university leadership.
2023: Center for World University Rankings
In 2023, The Center for World University Rankings ranked University of Arizona No. 95 in the world and 48 in the U.S.
2023: Student Enrollment Numbers
In 2023, the University of Arizona enrolled 53,187 students across 22 colleges and schools.
2023: Financial Crisis
In 2023, the University of Arizona faced a financial crisis due to accounting errors and flawed projections, allegedly losing track of over $240 million. Investigative reporting linked the crisis to the purchase of Ashford University.
April 2, 2024: Robbins Announces Stepping Down
On April 2, 2024, Robert C. Robbins announced his plans to step down as president during an ABOR meeting.
April 2024: Student Protests Against the War in Gaza
In April 2024, the UA chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine joined student protests against the war in Gaza, leading to police intervention with rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper balls.
August 2, 2024: University Joins Big 12 Conference
On August 2, 2024, the University of Arizona's intercollegiate athletic teams joined the Big 12 Conference.
August 9, 2024: Suresh Garimella Named President
On August 9, 2024, Suresh Garimella was named the 23rd president of the University of Arizona.
2024: University of Arizona admitted to Big 12 Conference
In 2024, the University of Arizona was admitted into the Big 12 Conference.
2025: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
The 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings rated University of Arizona No. 136 in the world and No. 45 in the U.S.
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