History of University of Rochester in Timeline

The University of Rochester is a private research university established in 1850, located in Rochester, New York. It relocated to its present campus near the Genesee River in 1930. With a workforce of around 30,000 individuals, it holds the position of the largest private employer in Upstate New York and ranks as the seventh-largest employer overall in the state. It plays a significant role in research and education in the region.

1900: Benjamin Rush Rhees tenure began

In 1900, Benjamin Rush Rhees began his tenure, which lasted until 1935, and was marked by major growth.

1900: First female students admitted

In 1900, the first female students were admitted to the University of Rochester, largely due to the efforts of Susan B. Anthony and Helen Barrett Montgomery.

1901: Ella S. Wilcoxen receives first degree

In 1901, Ella S. Wilcoxen was the first woman to receive a degree from the University of Rochester.

1905: Establishment of Eastman Dental Center

In 1905, the Eastman Dental Center was established, which would later become the Eastman Institute for Oral Health.

1913: Memorial Art Gallery founded

In 1913, the Memorial Art Gallery was founded as part of the University of Rochester through a gift from Emily Sibley Watson.

1917: Elizabeth Denio retired as Professor Emeritus

In 1917, Elizabeth Denio, the first female faculty member, retired as Professor Emeritus.

1921: Eastman School of Music created

In 1921, the Eastman School of Music was created under the patronage of George Eastman.

1921: School of Medicine and Dentistry Established

In 1921, the School of Medicine and Dentistry was established with both research and clinical programs.

1925: Medical and dental schools created

In 1925, medical and dental schools were created with support from the General Education Board, John D. Rockefeller, George Eastman, and Henry A. Strong's family. The university also awarded its first PhD that year.

1930: Men's College moved to River Campus

In 1930, male students moved to the River Campus, while female students remained on the Prince Street campus.

1930: University moved to its current campus

In 1930, the University of Rochester moved to its current campus next to the Genesee River.

1930: Original buildings dedicated

In 1930, the original buildings of the River Campus were dedicated, and the first class was welcomed to the Men's college.

December 17, 1934: First Boar's Head Dinner

The Boar's Head Dinner, an annual medieval student feast, was first celebrated on December 17, 1934.

1935: Benjamin Rush Rhees tenure ended

In 1935, Benjamin Rush Rhees ended his tenure. His tenure began in 1900.

1936: University ranked third in financial position

During the expansion years between 1936 and 1976, the University of Rochester's financial position ranked third, near Harvard University's endowment and the University of Texas System's Permanent University Fund.

1942: Joins V-12 Navy College Training Program

In 1942, the University of Rochester participated in the V-12 Navy College Training Program during World War II and was invited to join the Association of American Universities as an affiliate member.

1944: Made full member of AAU

In 1944, the university was made a full member of the Association of American Universities.

1946: Researchers performed uranium experiments

Between 1946 and 1947, researchers at the University of Rochester injected uranium into six people to study kidney tolerance levels.

1947: Researchers performed uranium experiments

Between 1946 and 1947, researchers at the University of Rochester injected uranium into six people to study kidney tolerance levels.

1955: Colleges for men and women merged

In 1955, the separate colleges for men and women merged into a single college on the River Campus.

1955: Separate colleges merged on River Campus

In 1955, the separate colleges for men and women were merged into one college on the River Campus.

1958: Hajim School established

In 1958, the Hajim School was established, comprising various programs, departments, and institutes.

1958: Three new schools created

In 1958, three new schools were created: engineering, business administration, and education.

1976: University ranked third in financial position

1983: Mascot Name URBee

From 1983 the mascot of the University was named URBee.

1986: Graduate School of Management named after William E. Simon

In 1986, the Graduate School of Management was named after William E. Simon, former Secretary of the Treasury, following his significant donation due to his belief in the school's free market philosophy.

1991: Dormitory building constructed

In 1991, a dormitory building was constructed on Gibbs Street to house Eastman School of Music students.

1997: Merger with the University of Rochester

In 1997, the Eastman Dental Center merged with the University of Rochester.

2005: Meliora Challenge commenced

In 2005, University President Joel Seligman commenced the private phase of the Meliora Challenge, a $1.2 billion capital campaign.

2007: Mascot Redesign

During the 2007–2008 academic year, the university re-designed the mascot.

February 1, 2008: New Mascot Name Rocky

On February 1, 2008, the school's mascot became known as "Rocky".

2008: Dandelion Day Funding

In 2008, Dandelion Day lost funding from the school administration but was eventually brought back due to student demand.

2008: Rochester research spending ranked 44th nationally

In 2008, Rochester ranked 44th nationally in research spending.

2008: Doubling of Undergraduate Students in Hajim School

Since 2008, the Hajim School has doubled the number of undergraduate students it encompasses.

2009: Hajim School Named

In 2009, the Hajim School was named after Edmund Hajim, a trustee of the university, following a $30-million gift to the university.

2009: Ninth highest technology revenue among U.S. higher education institutions

In 2009, the university had the ninth highest technology revenue among U.S. higher education institutions, with $46 million being paid for commercial rights to university technology and research.

2009: Terry Gurnett Record

In 2009, women's soccer coach Terry Gurnett set records with over 400-lifetime wins.

March 2010: Women's Basketball Final Four

In March 2010, the women's basketball team made it to the NCAA's Final Four.

2011: Rush Rhees Library Featured

In 2011, Rush Rhees Library at The University of Rochester was featured on the cover of the "Princeton Review 373 Best Colleges 2011 Edition".

2011: Rugby Championship

In 2011, the men's rugby team won a New York State Conference Championship.

2012: Rugby Ranking

For the 2011–2012 season, the men's rugby team was ranked 9th in the nation out of 151 Division III teams.

2013: New campus facilities completed

In 2013, O'Brien Hall, LeChase Hall, and Rettner Hall were completed, adding significant campus facilities.

2015: Meliora Challenge reached its goal

In 2015, The Meliora Challenge reached its $1.2 billion goal, a year before it was scheduled to conclude.

2016: Meliora Challenge surpassed its goal

In 2016, the university announced that the Meliora Challenge had exceeded its goal and surpassed $1.36 billion.

September 1, 2017: Complaint filed with EEOC

On September 1, 2017, eight current and former faculty members filed a complaint with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging sexual misconduct and criticizing the university's response.

2017: Genesee Hall completed

In 2017, Genesee Hall was completed, adding significant campus facilities.

2017: Men's Soccer Elite Eight

In 2017, the men's soccer team made it to the NCAA Elite Eight.

2018: Richard B. Handler chairman of board of trustees

In 2018, the University of Rochester was headed by a board of trustees, with Richard B. Handler as the chairman.

2018: Men's Soccer Final Four

In 2018, the men's soccer team made it to the NCAA Final Four.

2019: Sarah C. Mangelsdorf became president

In 2019, Sarah C. Mangelsdorf succeeded Feldman as president of the university, becoming the first woman to serve in that role.

2019: Inauguration of the eleventh president

In 2019, the eleventh regularly-appointed president of the University of Rochester was inaugurated.

2020: Top Funded Institution

As of 2020, the Eastman Institute for Oral Health was the 7th top funded institution by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

2020: Lawsuit settled for $9.4 million

In 2020, the lawsuit related to the 2017 EEOC complaint was settled, with the university agreeing to pay the plaintiffs $9.4 million.

2020: RTS Bus Service Change

Until 2020, several bus lines of the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RTS) made stops at the university.

2021: Sloan Performing Arts Center opened

In 2021, the Sloan Performing Arts Center opened, providing space for theatrical programs, dance programs, concerts, and other activities and serves as a home for the Institute for the Performing Arts.

2021: Softball Team World Series

In 2021, the softball team reached the Division III women's college world series.

2022: Research Expenditure

In 2022, Rochester had a research expenditure of $450 million and ranked 65th nationally in research spending.

2022: Acceptance Rate

In 2022, the School of Medicine and Dentistry had an acceptance rate of 1.2%, accepting 70 students from AMCAS and 38 students from special matriculating programs.

November 2023: Student protests against Israel-Hamas war

In November 2023, University of Rochester students joined other campuses across the United States in setting up encampments on campus to protest against the Israel–Hamas war.

2023: Purchase of College Town

In 2023, the university completed the $51.5m purchase of College Town.

2024: Golisano makes largest single gift to the university

In 2024, Tom Golisano announced that he had made a $50 million donation, the largest single gift in University History.

2024: U.S. News & World Report Ranking

In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Rochester 47th in the country overall.

2025: Forbes Ranking

In 2025, Forbes magazine ranked the University of Rochester 91st in the United States overall in its America's Top Colleges series.

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