History of University of Kentucky in Timeline

The University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, is a public land-grant research university established in 1865. Founded by John Bryan Bowman as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, it's one of Kentucky's two land-grant universities. As of fall 2024, it holds the highest enrollment in the state, with 35,952 students.

1902: Women's Basketball Program Begins

In 1902, the women's basketball program was established at the University of Kentucky.

1904: Construction of Patterson Hall

In 1904, Patterson Hall, the school's first women's dormitory, was constructed.

1906: Kentuckian Yearbook First Published

In 1906, the Kentuckian, the official yearbook of the University of Kentucky, was first published.

October 9, 1909: "Wildcats" Slogan Originated

On October 9, 1909, after a football victory over Illinois, Commandant Carbuiser stated the team had "fought like wildcats," leading to the adoption of the "Wildcats" slogan by the university.

1910: The Strollers' First Production

In 1910, The Strollers, a group of performers from the university and nearby, presented their first production at the Lexington Opera House, performing the historical play "Richelieu" which was originally written in 1839.

1910: Creation of the Agricultural Extension Service

In 1910, the University of Kentucky created the Agricultural Extension Service, one of the first in the United States.

1914: Federal Mandate Programs

In 1914, The University of Kentucky's Agricultural Extension Service became a model of federally mandated programs.

1915: First Issue of Kentucky Kernel Published

In 1915, the first issue of the Kentucky Kernel, a student-run and financially independent daily newspaper, was published.

1916: Creation of the College of Home Economics

In 1916, the College of Home Economics was created at the University of Kentucky, with Mary E. Sweeney as the founding dean.

1916: Name Change and College Creation

In 1916, the school's name was changed to the "University of Kentucky", and the College of Home Economics was created with Mary E. Sweeney as dean.

1918: The Strollers Perform War Skits and Humanitarian Work

In 1918, nearing the end of World War I, The Strollers performed war-related skits, showcased photographic images of battle scenes and the humanitarian work of the Red Cross, with university girls dressed as nurses serving as ushers.

1922: University Buys Consolidated Baptist Church

In 1922, the University acquired the Consolidated Baptist Church, a historically black congregation previously led by Pastor Peter Vinegar.

1925: Establishment of the College of Commerce

In 1925, the College of Commerce, known today as the Gatton College of Business and Economics, was established.

1927: Romany Theater Performance

In 1927, a group led by Carol M. Sax performed "The Miracle of Sister Beatrice" by Maurice Maeterlinck at the Romany theater.

1927: Radio Station Relicensed

In 1927, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department's radio station, initially W4JP, was relicensed as 9JL (later W9JL), continuing its operation as one of the earliest college amateur radio stations in the United States.

1928: Frank C. Fowler Hired by UK

In 1928, Frank C. Fowler, who had received his master's degree from Brown University, was hired by UK as the second director of the Kentucky Guignol.

1928: Romany Theater Renamed Guignol Theater

In 1928, the Romany Theater was renamed Guignol Theater, after Théâtre du Grand Guignol in Paris.

1929: Completion of Memorial Hall

In 1929, Memorial Hall was completed, dedicated to the 2,756 Kentuckians who died in World War I.

1930: Adolph Rupp Hired as Basketball Coach

In 1930, Adolph Rupp was hired as the basketball coach, beginning a 42-year tenure.

1931: Sax Staged The Guest Room on Broadway

In 1931, after leaving Lexington, Carol Sax staged Arthur Wilmurt's "The Guest Room" on Broadway, which ran for 67 shows.

1931: Opening of the new King Library

In 1931, the new King Library opened, named for Margaret I. King, a long-time library director.

1933: Thomas Hunt Morgan Nobel Prize

In 1933, Thomas Hunt Morgan, a scientist associated with the University of Kentucky, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

1934: Eleanor Roosevelt Attends Re-Echo

In 1934, Eleanor Roosevelt attended the opening night of Carol Sax's production of I.J. Golden's "Re-Echo" in New York, which only ran for 5 shows.

1939: Appointment of Georgia M. Blazer

In 1939, Governor Happy Chandler appointed Georgia M. Blazer of Ashland as the first woman trustee on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, where she served until 1960.

October 17, 1940: WBKY Operations Started

On October 17, 1940, WBKY began operations out of Beattyville, marking the start of the first university-owned FM radio station in the United States and Kentucky's first public radio station. The station later moved to Lexington five years later.

1945: Albert "Happy" Chandler, Commissioner of Major League Baseball

In 1945, Albert "Happy" Chandler began his role as the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. He held this role until 1951.

1947: Fire Guts UK's Guignol Theater

In 1947, a fire occurred that gutted the University of Kentucky's Guignol Theater, and the event was captured on film.

March 15, 1948: Lyman T. Johnson's Application to the Graduate School

On March 15, 1948, Lyman T. Johnson applied to the University of Kentucky Graduate School for a doctorate degree in the Philosophy of History but was denied admission due to the Day Law.

1948: NCAA Championship

In 1948, the men's basketball team, led by Coach Adolph Rupp, won an NCAA championship.

April 27, 1949: Hiram Church Ford's Court Case Ruling

On April 27, 1949, Hiram Church Ford determined that the Commonwealth had failed to establish a graduate school with equal opportunity and educational quality as the graduate students offered to whites.

1949: NCAA Championship

In 1949, the men's basketball team, led by Coach Adolph Rupp, won another NCAA championship.

1950: Co-National Champion for the 1950 Season

In 1950, after defeating number-one ranked Oklahoma 13–7 in the Sugar Bowl under Coach Bear Bryant, Kentucky was a co-national champion.

1950: New Guignol Theater Opens

In February 1950, a new Guignol Theater opened in the Fine Arts Building with a production of "Medea", followed by "Two Blind Mice", a political satire by Samuel and Bella Spewack.

1951: Albert "Happy" Chandler's Time as Commissioner of Major League Baseball Ends

In 1951, Albert "Happy" Chandler's time as the Commissioner of Major League Baseball ended.

1951: NCAA Championship

In 1951, the men's basketball team, led by Coach Adolph Rupp, won another NCAA championship.

1954: Undergraduate Racial Integration

In 1954, following the US Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, blacks were allowed to attend the University of Kentucky as undergraduates.

1955: William T. Young sells peanut butter company to Procter & Gamble

In 1955, William T. Young got his fortune from selling his peanut butter company to Procter & Gamble.

1955: Groundbreaking for Albert B. Chandler Hospital

In 1955, ground was broken for the Albert B. Chandler Hospital after Kentucky Governor Happy Chandler recommended that the Kentucky General Assembly appropriate $5 million for the creation of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and a medical center.

1957: Creation of the Ashland Center of the University of Kentucky

In 1957, the University of Kentucky took over the operations and curriculum of the Ashland Junior College, creating the Ashland Center of the University of Kentucky.

1958: Doris Yvonne Wilkinson Graduation

In 1958, Doris Yvonne Wilkinson became the first African American to graduate from the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate student.

1958: Beginning of the Honors Program

In 1958, the Honors Program at the University of Kentucky began.

1958: Establishment of Fort Knox Extension Center

In 1958, the University of Kentucky established an Extension Center in Fort Knox.

1958: NCAA Championship

In 1958, the men's basketball team, led by Coach Adolph Rupp, secured their fourth NCAA championship.

1959: Opening of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce

In 1959, the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce opened, training professionals for careers in international affairs.

1960: Georgia M. Blazer's service ends

In 1960, Georgia M. Blazer's service as the first woman trustee on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees ended.

1960: Establishment of Cumberland and Henderson Extension Centers

In 1960, the University of Kentucky established Extension Centers in Cumberland and Henderson.

March 6, 1962: Mandate to Form a Community College System

On March 6, 1962, the Kentucky General Assembly mandated the University of Kentucky to form a community college system.

1962: Opening of Blazer Hall

In 1962, Blazer Hall was opened as the Georgia M Blazer Hall for Women in tribute to Georgia M. Blazer.

1962: Opening of the College of Dentistry

In 1962, the College of Dentistry opened at the University of Kentucky.

1962: Théâtre du Grand Guignol Closed

In 1962, the Théâtre du Grand Guignol in Paris, the theater which inspired the name for University of Kentucky's Guignol Theater, closed after operating since 1897.

1963: Alumni Association Building Dedicated

In 1963, the University of Kentucky Alumni Association building, named for Helen G. King, was dedicated.

February 17, 1968: Black Student Union Established

On February 17, 1968, the University of Kentucky Black Student Union (BSU) was established as the first organization on campus dedicated to supporting and protecting students of color.

1968: College of Library Science Separation

In 1968, the College of Library Science separated from the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky.

1969: Completion of the Patterson Office Tower

In 1969, the Patterson Office Tower, currently the tallest building on campus, was completed.

May 1970: Student Protests and National Guard Intervention

In May 1970, students at the University of Kentucky protested the shootings at Kent State University, leading to the National Guard's intervention and the destruction of a ROTC building by fire.

1970: Joyce Hamilton Berry Earns Ph.D.

In 1970, Joyce Hamilton Berry, a former clinical psychologist, became the first female African American to earn a Ph.D. from UK.

1971: WBKY Carries All Things Considered

In 1971, WBKY was among the first to broadcast NPR's "All Things Considered" and assisted in launching National Public Radio.

1972: Adolph Rupp Retires

In 1972, after 42 years, Adolph Rupp retired as the basketball coach.

1973: Derek Bryant Joins Oakland Athletics

In 1973, Derek Bryant began his career as an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics.

1976: William Lipscomb Nobel Prize

In 1976, William Lipscomb, associated with the University of Kentucky, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

1976: Costumed Mascot Debuts

In 1976, the university's costumed mascot made its debut.

1978: NCAA Championship

In 1978, the Wildcats won their fifth NCAA championship under Coach Joe B. Hall.

1981: Derek Bryant's Outfielder Career Ends

In 1981, Derek Bryant's career as an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics came to an end.

1988: WRFL - Radio Free Lexington in Operation

In 1988, WRFL-"Radio Free Lexington" began operations, broadcasting live 24/7 with a diverse range of music genres and being operated by students.

1988: Cross Country National Team Championship

In 1988, the University of Kentucky women's cross country team secured a national team championship.

1989: WBKY Changes Call Letters to WUKY

In 1989, WBKY changed its call letters to WUKY to better align with its affiliation with the university.

1996: NCAA Championship

In 1996, the Wildcats won another NCAA championship under Coach Rick Pitino.

1997: University of Kentucky endowment

In 1997, The University of Kentucky had an endowment of $195.1 million.

1997: Kentucky General Assembly research compact formed

In 1997, the Kentucky General Assembly formed a compact mandating that the University of Kentucky become a "Top 20" public research institution by 2020.

1997: Formation of the Top 20 Plan

In 1997, the Kentucky General Assembly formed a compact with the university, known as the Top 20 Plan, mandating that the University of Kentucky would become a "Top 20" public research university by 2020.

1997: Reorganization of the Community College System

In 1997, the Kentucky General Assembly reorganized the community college system, withdrawing the University of Kentucky's jurisdiction from all but the Lexington Community College.

1997: University Relinquished Control of Community Colleges

In 1997, under the Postsecondary Education Improvement Act, the University of Kentucky relinquished control of its 14 community colleges.

April 3, 1998: Start of Work on the William T. Young Library

On April 3, 1998, work began on the William T. Young Library, which was the largest university project at the time of completion.

1998: NCAA Championship

In 1998, the Wildcats secured another NCAA championship under Coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith.

2000: Launch of "The Campaign for the University of Kentucky"

In 2000, the university launched "The Campaign for the University of Kentucky", a $600 million fundraising effort to enhance facilities, academic programs, public service, and scholarships.

May 15, 2001: Main Building Gutted by Fire

On May 15, 2001, the Main Building, a four-story administration building dating back to 1882, was severely damaged by a fire.

2003: Reorganization of the College of Human Environmental Sciences

In 2003, the College of Human Environmental Sciences was folded into the College of Agriculture as the School of Human Environmental Sciences.

2003: Incorporation of College of Library Science

In 2003, the College of Library Science was incorporated into what is now the College of Communication and Information.

2004: Lexington Community College Separated

In 2004, Lexington Community College separated from the University of Kentucky and became part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

2005: University of Kentucky endowment

In 2005, The University of Kentucky had an endowment of $538.4 million.

March 2007: Surpassing Fundraising Goal

In March 2007, "The Campaign for the University of Kentucky" raised $1.022 billion, months before the fundraising effort was set to end.

April 13, 2007: Groundbreaking for the Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building

On April 13, 2007, ground was broken for the Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building.

2007: Billy Gillispie Named Head Coach

In 2007, Billy Gillispie was named the head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of Kentucky.

2007: Kentucky Kernel Cartoon Controversy

In 2007, The Kentucky Kernel faced criticism for an editorial cartoon depicting an African American pledge being auctioned, which sparked a national discussion on racial segregation within UK's Greek system.

2007: University of Kentucky endowment

In 2007, The University of Kentucky had an endowment of $831.8 million.

2007: WUKY Broadcasts in High-Definition Digital Radio

In 2007, WUKY became the first radio station in Lexington to broadcast in high-definition digital radio.

March 30, 2009: John Calipari Named Head Coach

On March 30, 2009, John Calipari was named the head coach of the Wildcats men's basketball team.

2012: NCAA Championship

In 2012, Coach John Calipari led the Wildcats to their eighth national title.

2013: Start of Lars Jorgensen's Coaching Period

In 2013, Lars Jorgensen became the swim coach at the University of Kentucky, a period later scrutinized in a Title IX lawsuit.

2014: Student Enrollment Reaches 30,000

In the fall of 2014, the University of Kentucky's student enrollment reached 30,000 for the first time, attributed to a significant number of out-of-state students, making up 38% of the student body, with the freshman class totaling 5,000 students.

October 2015: Largest Single Gift

In October 2015, the University of Kentucky received a $23.5 million gift from Thomas W. Lewis and his wife Jan to create the Lewis Honors College.

2015: Dance Team Ranked Nationally

In 2015, the University of Kentucky Dance team achieved a national ranking of fifth in Hip Hop and seventh in Pom.

2017: Honors Program Becomes Lewis Honors College

In 2017, the Honors Program at the University of Kentucky became the Lewis Honors College.

2018: Opening of the Gatton Student Center

In 2018, the new Gatton Student Center was opened on North Campus.

2019: University of Kentucky Endowment

As of 2019, The University of Kentucky had an endowment of $1.407 billion.

2020: Deadline for Top 20 Public Research Institution Goal

By 2020, the University of Kentucky aimed to become a "Top 20" public research institution, as mandated by a compact formed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1997.

2020: Deadline for the Top 20 Plan

By 2020, the University of Kentucky aimed to become a "Top 20" public research university, as part of the Top 20 Plan that began in 1997.

2020: Top 20 Public Research Institution Goal Deadline

By 2020, the University of Kentucky aimed to become a Top 20 public research institution, as mandated by a compact formed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1997.

2020: Women's Volleyball National Championship

In 2020 (Fall Season), the University of Kentucky women's volleyball team won a national championship.

2021: Elle Smith Miss USA 2021

In 2021, Elle Smith, an African American journalist and University of Kentucky attendee, became Miss USA.

2021: FarmHouse Chapter Suspended

In 2021, the University suspended FarmHouse's chapter for four years following the death of a pledge at a fraternity party.

2021: Latest National Championship

In the Spring of 2021, the University of Kentucky won its latest national championship in women's volleyball.

2022: University of Kentucky research and development spending

In 2022, the University of Kentucky spent $476.5 million on research and development, ranking it 61st in the nation, according to the National Science Foundation.

2023: UK Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ranking

According to the U.S. News & World Report 2023 ranking table, UK Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is ranked 6th in the nation whereas the Graduate School of Medicine (Research) is ranked 64th (tie).

2023: End of Lars Jorgensen's Coaching Period

In 2023, Lars Jorgensen's tenure as swim coach at the University of Kentucky ended, later resulting in a Title IX lawsuit.

2023: Phi Tau Suspended

In 2023, Phi Tau was suspended for misuse of alcohol and other violations of law.

April 2024: Title IX Lawsuit Filed

In April 2024, a Title IX lawsuit was filed against the University of Kentucky, alleging a "toxic, sexually hostile environment" within the university's swim program during Lars Jorgensen's time as coach between 2013 and 2023.