History of University of Kentucky in Timeline

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

1902: Women's basketball program began

In 1902, the women's basketball program began on campus.

1904: Construction of Patterson Hall

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

1906: Kentuckian first published

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

October 9, 1909: Wildcats name associated with the university

On October 9, 1909, the "Wildcats" name became associated with the university after a football victory over Illinois, when Commandant Carbuiser stated that the team had "fought like wildcats."

1910: The Strollers production of Richelieu

In 1910, The Strollers, a group of performers from the university, presented their first production at the Lexington Opera House, which was the 1839 historical play Richelieu.

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: Extension service became a model of the federally mandated programs

In 1914, the extension service became a model of the federally mandated programs that were required beginning.

1915: First issue of Kentucky Kernel published

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

1916: Creation of the College of Home Economics

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

1916: Name Change to 'University of Kentucky'

In 1916, the school's name was changed to the 'University of Kentucky'. Also in 1916, the university led to the creation of the College of Home Economics.

1918: The Strollers perform skits about war life

In 1918, at the end of the spring semester, The Strollers performed skits about war life and projected photographic images of battle scenes and the humanitarian work of the Red Cross, with university girls dressed as nurses serving as ushers.

1922: University bought Consolidated Baptist Church

In 1922, the university acquired the Consolidated Baptist Church, a historically black congregation, whose pastor had been Peter Vinegar.

1925: Establishment of the College of Commerce

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

1927: Romany performed The Miracle of Sister Beatrice

In 1927, a group of performers called Romany, led by Carol M. Sax, performed The Miracle of Sister Beatrice by Maurice Maeterlinck.

1927: Radio station relicensed

In 1927, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department's amateur radio station, originally W4JP, was relicensed as 9JL (later W9JL).

1928: Frank C. Fowler hired by UK

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

1928: 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.

1931: Sax staged Arthur Wilmurt's The Guest Room on Broadway

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

1931: Opening of the King Library

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

1933: Thomas Hunt Morgan won 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 attended opening night of Re-Echo

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

1939: First Woman Trustee Appointed

In 1939, Governor Happy Chandler appointed the first woman trustee on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, Georgia M. Blazer of Ashland.

October 17, 1940: Operations started on WBKY

On October 17, 1940, operations started for WBKY, the first university-owned FM radio station in the United States and Kentucky's first public radio station, out of Beattyville.

1945: Happy Chandler Commissioner of Major League Baseball

In 1945, Albert "Happy" Chandler, a former Governor of Kentucky, became the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

1947: Fire gutted UK's Guignol

In 1947, a fire gutted UK's Guignol Theater, and the event was captured on film.

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

1948: Men's basketball team won NCAA championship

In 1948, the men's basketball team won an NCAA championship.

April 27, 1949: Court Ruling on Johnson's Lawsuit

On April 27, 1949, Hiram Church Ford ruled that all qualified individuals, regardless of race, be allowed to attend the university's graduate program until an equally academically acceptable institution is established for the use of African Americans, in the case of Lyman T. Johnson's lawsuit.

1949: Men's basketball team won NCAA championship

In 1949, the men's basketball team won an NCAA championship.

1950: Kentucky was a co-national champion for the 1950 season

In 1950, after defeating number-one ranked Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl under coach Bear Bryant, Kentucky was also a co-national champion for the season.

1950: New Guignol Theater opened in Fine Arts Building

In February 1950, a new Guignol Theater was opened in the Fine Arts Building with a production of Medea, followed by Two Blind Mice.

1951: Happy Chandler ended role as Commissioner of Major League Baseball

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

1951: Men's basketball team won NCAA championship

In 1951, the men's basketball team won an 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 as undergraduates.

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

In 1955, William T. Young sold 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 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 Ashland Center of the University of Kentucky

In 1957, the University of Kentucky took over the day-to-day operations and curriculum of the Ashland [municipal] Junior College, creating the Ashland Center of the University of Kentucky.

1958: Doris Yvonne Wilkinson graduated

In 1958, Doris Yvonne Wilkinson became the first African American to graduate from the university 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 Extension Center in Fort Knox was established.

1958: Men's basketball team won NCAA championship

In 1958, the men's basketball team won an 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 in international affairs.

1960: End of Georgia Blazer's term

In 1960, Georgia M. Blazer finished her term as a trustee.

1960: Establishment of Cumberland and Henderson Extension Centers

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

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

On March 6, 1962, the Kentucky General Assembly placed a mandate upon 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 her.

1962: End of Théâtre du Grand Guignol

In 1962, Théâtre du Grand Guignol in Paris closed its doors.

1962: Opening of the College of Dentistry

In 1962, the College of Dentistry opened.

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 to support and protect students of color.

1968: Separation of the College of Library Science

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

1969: Completion of Patterson Office Tower

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

May 1970: Student Protests and National Guard Involvement

In May 1970, students at the University of Kentucky began protesting the shootings at Kent State University, leading to the involvement of the National Guard and the destruction of a ROTC building by fire.

1970: Joyce Hamilton Berry earned Ph.D.

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

1971: WBKY carried NPR's All Things Considered

In 1971, WBKY was among the first to carry NPR's "All Things Considered" and helped debut National Public Radio.

1972: Adolph Rupp retired

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

1973: Derek Bryant joined Oakland Athletics

In 1973, Derek Bryant became an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics.

1976: William Lipscomb won Nobel Prize

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

1976: Costumed mascot debuted

In 1976, a costumed mascot debuted for the University of Kentucky.

1978: Wildcats won NCAA championship under Joe B. Hall

In 1978, the Wildcats won another NCAA championship under Joe B. Hall.

1981: Derek Bryant no longer with Oakland Athletics

In 1981, Derek Bryant was no longer an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics.

1988: WRFL in operation

In 1988, 88.1 FM WRFL-"Radio Free Lexington" began operations.

1988: Cross country national team championship

In 1988, University of Kentucky won a cross country national team championship (women's).

1989: Call letters changed to WUKY

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

1996: Wildcats won NCAA championship under Rick Pitino

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

1997: Kentucky General Assembly Compact

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

1997: Formation of the 'Top 20' Plan Compact

In 1997, the Kentucky General Assembly formed a compact with the University of Kentucky, known as the 'Top 20' Plan, mandating the university to 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: Endowment of $195.1 million

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

1997: University relinquished control of community colleges

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

1997: Increased Focus on Research Expenditures

Since 1997, the University of Kentucky has focused expenditures increasingly on research, following a compact formed by the Kentucky General Assembly.

April 3, 1998: Work Begins on 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: Wildcats won NCAA championship under Orlando Smith

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

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

In 2000, the University of Kentucky launched 'The Campaign for the University of Kentucky', a $600 million fundraising effort.

May 15, 2001: Main Building gutted by fire

On May 15, 2001, Main Building, a four-story administration building, was gutted by fire.

2003: Reorganization of the College of Home Economics

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 the 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 from University of Kentucky

In 2004, Lexington Community College separated from the University of Kentucky and became a part of KCTCS.

2005: Endowment of $538.4 million

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

March 2007: Exceeded Fundraising Goal

In March 2007, the University of Kentucky raised $1.022 billion, exceeding the initial $600 million goal of 'The Campaign for the University of Kentucky'.

April 13, 2007: Ground Broken for Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building

On April 13, 2007, an entire city block of neighborhood homes were demolished, and ground was broken for the Biological Pharmaceutical Complex Building.

2007: Billy Gillispie named head coach

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

2007: Kentucky Kernel publishes editorial cartoon

In 2007, The Kentucky Kernel received national attention for an editorial cartoon about racial segregation in UK's Greek system.

2007: WUKY broadcast in high-definition digital radio

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

2007: Endowment of $831.8 million

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

March 30, 2009: John Calipari named head coach

On March 30, 2009, John Calipari was named head coach of the Wildcats.

2012: Calipari coached team to national title

In 2012, Calipari coached the team to its eighth national title.

2012: Men's basketball team won national title

In 2012, the men's basketball team won its eighth national title.

2013: Beginning of swim coach Jorgensen's tenure

In 2013, Lars Jorgensen began his tenure as swim coach at the University of Kentucky.

2014: Enrollment of 30,000 students

In fall 2014, there were 30,000 students enrolled for the first time, with a freshman class of 5,000 students.

October 2015: Largest Single Gift Received

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

2015: Transition of Lewis Honors College

In 2015, the Lewis Honors College was transitioned from the Honors Program at UK.

2015: Dance team ranked fifth in Hip Hop and seventh in Pom

In 2015, the University of Kentucky Dance team was ranked fifth in the nation in Hip Hop and seventh in Pom.

July 10, 2017: Inaugural Dean of Lewis Honors College

On July 10, 2017, Christian Brady was announced as the inaugural dean of the Lewis Honors College.

2018: Opening of the new Gatton Student Center

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

2019: Endowment of 1.407 Billion

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

2020: Target date for 'Top 20' public research institution

By 2020, the University of Kentucky was mandated to become a "Top 20" public research institution, in terms of an overall ranking to be determined by the university itself.

2020: Rankings in U.S. News & World Report

In 2020, the University of Kentucky was ranked tied for 132nd in National Universities and tied for 60th among public universities in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

2020: Target Date for Top 20 Plan

The year 2020 was the target date for the University of Kentucky to achieve its 'Top 20' public research university status as mandated by the compact formed in 1997.

2021: Elle Smith crowned Miss USA

In 2021, Elle Smith, an African American who attended the university, was crowned Miss USA 2021.

2021: FarmHouse chapter suspended

In 2021, the FarmHouse chapter was suspended for four years after a pledge died while attending a party in the fraternity's house.

2022: Research and Development Expenditure

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 Rankings in U.S. News & World Report

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

2023: End of swim coach Jorgensen's tenure

In 2023, Lars Jorgensen's tenure as swim coach at the University of Kentucky came to an end.

2023: Phi Tau suspended

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

April 2024: Title IX sexual violence lawsuit filed against University of Kentucky

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