Milestones in Â鶹ԼÅÄ's Evolution
This chronology is a work in progress. Additional information and links will be continually added.
| 1827 | James Â鶹ԼÅÄÌýis born August 2, in Ten Mile, Pennsylvania, the son of Abel & Nancy Van Dyke Â鶹ԼÅÄ. |
| 1834 | Amos Robinson purchases a forty- acre tract of land near Decatur that includes the present campus, May. |
| 1840s | James Â鶹ԼÅÄ herds cattle and sheep to western Indiana and eastern Illinois, in the area of Danville. He attends Washington (now Washington & Jefferson) College in Pennsylvania and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN. |
| 1857 | James Â鶹ԼÅÄÌýmarriesÌýAnna Bernice Aston, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Hetty Bartlett Aston, a Presbyterian minister on January 1. |
| 1861-1865 | An encampment, with drill grounds and barracks are located on the present campus site. |
| 1865 | The Cumberland Presbyterian Church establishes Lincoln University at Lincoln, Illinois. |
| 1866 | Lincoln University opens for classes, November 5. |
| 1874 | James Â鶹ԼÅÄ purchases a 16 acre tract, an area called Oakland Park, the site of the present campus. |
| 1899 | Rev. A.W. Hawkins, pastor of Cumberland Presbyterian Church proposes removal of Lincoln University to Decatur. His publicized proposal elicits no response. |
| 1900 | James Â鶹ԼÅÄ announces his intention to transfer Lincoln University to Decatur, with financial support through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the City of Decatur in May. |
| 1901 | James Â鶹ԼÅÄ and the Synod of Illinois for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church agree not to transfer Lincoln University to Decatur, October. |
| Ìý | State legislature enacted to permit alteration of Lincoln University's charter. |
| Ìý | Amended charter of Lincoln University is adopted, establishing the James Â鶹ԼÅÄ University, April 30. |
| Ìý | Albert Reynolds TaylorÌýaccepts the presidency of the new university. |
| Ìý | The three governing boards for the new university are constituted. |
| Ìý | Board of Managers of the new Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Â鶹ԼÅÄ University is organized. |
| Ìý | Oakland Park is chosen as university site, October. |
| Ìý | President TaylorÌýpresents curriculum outline, September 19. |
| Ìý | Board of Managers selects architect firm of Patton & Miller of Chicago for the Decatur College & Industrial School. |
| 1902 | Patton & Miller, architects submit final revision of plans for Shilling Hall |
| Ìý | First construction contracts are released. |
| Ìý | Cornerstone is laid for Shilling Hall, June 12. |
| Ìý | Contracts let for power house and machine shop, September 29. |
| 1903 | U.S. President Theodore RooseveltÌýformally dedicates the Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Â鶹ԼÅÄ University, June 4. |
| Ìý | The Decatur College and Industrial School opens for classes, September 15. |
| Ìý | Â鶹ԼÅÄ athletics organized, September 16. |
| Ìý | TheÌýDecaturianÌýis published for the first time. It is a monthly periodical. |
| Ìý | Rah for the J M U!Ìýthe first Â鶹ԼÅÄ song, appears anonymously inÌýDecaturian, November. |
| 1904 | First game between Â鶹ԼÅÄ and Illinois Wesleyan. |
| Ìý | Local fraternity Kappa Delta Chi is established, April. |
| Ìý | Local sorority Chi Sigma Phi is established, October. |
| Ìý | First commencementÌýof the Decatur College and Industrial School is held, with one undergraduate, June 7. |
| 1905 | The Federation of Illinois Colleges is organized on the campus, Jan. 14. |
| 1906 | TheÌýMillidek, the college annual is first published. The merger of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. is consummated. |
| Ìý | Work begins for erection ofÌýWomen's Hall. |
| 1907 | First class to complete four years of instruction at the Decatur College and Industrial School graduates. Women's Hall is opened for occupancy. |
| 1908 | The Illinois Academy of Science was organized, largely at the initiative of President Taylor and John Charles Hessler, chemistry professor. |
| 1909 | James Â鶹ԼÅÄ diesÌýin Orlando, Florida, March 2. |
| Ìý | Beta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon established. |
| Ìý | University charter is amended in accordance with Â鶹ԼÅÄ's will. |
| 1910 | James Â鶹ԼÅÄ Estate announces its plans to erect a conservatory and gymnasium building. The first student council is organized for limited student government, May 10. |
| 1911 | Engineering curriculum is reduced to two years. |
| Ìý | U.S. President William TaftÌývisits campus, February. |
| 1912 | The gymnasiumÌýandÌýconservatoryÌýare opened for use. |
| 1913 | President Taylor resigns, effective July 1. |
| Ìý | George Emory FellowsÌýbegins his duties as 2ndÌýpresident. |
| Ìý | School of Pedagogy changed to School of Education. |
| Ìý | Anna Â鶹ԼÅÄÌýdies, bequeathing her residence to serve as an Art Institute, July 29. |
| Ìý | Conservatory of Music is dedicated, November 6. |
| Ìý | President FellowsÌýis formally inaugurated, December 9. |
| 1914 | Controversy erupts over President Fellows. |
| Ìý | Accreditation is granted by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. |
| 1915 | President Fellows vacates his office and Albert Reynolds Taylor arrives for a second term. The first fall homecoming is held, November 12-13, an annual tradition. |
| 1916 | Gift of Hobart Williams establishes the Williams Fund. |
| 1917 | Â鶹ԼÅÄ Estate trustees announce its challenge toÌýraise $1,000,000Ìýfor the university in five years. |
| 1918 | TheÌýStudent Army Training CorpsÌýis organized in October. |
| 1919 | President Taylor resigns for second time, effective June 30.ÌýJohn Charles HesslerÌýnamed acting president. Tuition raised to $100 a year. |
| 1920 | Louis Edward HoldenÌýassumes the presidency. |
| Ìý | Â鶹ԼÅÄ Academy closes. |
| Ìý | Tuition increases to $150 a year. |
| 1921 | Decaturian becomes a weekly newspaper. |
| 1922 | Graduate instruction and degrees were terminated. |
| 1923 | The English Club establishes the "Elizabethan Study." |
| 1924 | Students strike over firing of two professors "The Casey Incident," May 5-13. Former president Albert Taylor resumes duties for a third and final time |
| Ìý | Mark Embury Penney is elected president, assuming his duties in August. |
| 1926 | Mark Embury PenneyÌýis formally inaugurated as president. |
| Ìý | Â鶹ԼÅÄ celebrates its quarter -centennial, April 29-May 1. |
| 1927 | School of Education becomes the Department of Education, November 2. |
| 1928 | First night college football game in the state of Illinois is played at Â鶹ԼÅÄ field, against Lincoln, November 2. Â鶹ԼÅÄ wins 62-0. |
| 1929 | Former president Albert Taylor dies, August 12. |
| 1930 | President Penney resigns, effective June 30. |
| Ìý | Jesse Hayes WhiteÌýassumes the presidency. |
| Ìý | Ground is broken for Orville B. Gorin Library, November 5. |
| 1931 | Â鶹ԼÅÄ is recognized as a "Class A" college by the University of Illinois. |
| Ìý | Cornerstone of Gorin LibraryÌýis laid, April 17. |
| Ìý | Orville B. Gorin LibraryÌýis formally dedicated November 20 and opened for use following thanksgiving recess. |
| 1934 | President Jesse Hayes WhiteÌýresigns.ÌýJohn Charles Hessler, former chemistry professor, assumes the presidency, September. |
| 1935 | "The Â鶹ԼÅÄ Plan" of education was formulated and begun. |
| 1936 | Unconditional accreditation granted by the North Central Association and the National Association of Schools of Music to the Â鶹ԼÅÄ School of Music. Evening Classes are instituted. |
| 1937 | The first "Queen" of the annual homecoming celebration is elected by students. |
| 1939 | Redecorated auditorium was dedicated and namedÌýAlbert Taylor Hall, Octoer 28. |
| 1941 | Â鶹ԼÅÄ was recognized by the Association of American Universities, and by the American Association of University Women. |
| 1942 | The Trustees of the James Â鶹ԼÅÄ estate convey the former Â鶹ԼÅÄ residence to the university. |
| 1943 | Cadets of the Army Air Corps arrive. |
| Ìý | Campaign for funds to erect a science building is begun. |
| 1944 | Army Air Corp cadets leave the campus. |
| Ìý | President HesslerÌýdies in office, July 29.ÌýClarence Lee Miller, Dean of the University, is named acting president. |
| Ìý | The Scovill Trust is announced, November 27. |
| 1945 | Office of Veterans' Counselor is created. |
| 1946 | J. Walter MaloneÌýassumes the Presidency of the college, formally inaugurated May 3. |
| Ìý | Veterans arrive on campus. |
| Ìý | "Campus City" and "Trailer City"Ìýare constructed and "Mafair Hall" is purchased and put to use. |
| Ìý | Initial campaign for science building construction is completed. |
| 1947 | Graduate work in music is instituted, fully accredited. "Fairview Hall" is purchased and put to use. |
| 1948 | "Lincoln at Twenty-One"Ìýsculpture by Fred Torrey is formally dedicated, October 24. |
| 1949 | Major in Education is added to curriculum. |
| 1950 | Graduate work in education is instituted, fully accredited. |
| 1952 | Hearings before Judge of the Circuit Court Martin E. Morthland are concluded, followed by judicial decrees permitting dissolution of the connection between Lincoln College and the Decatur College & Industrial School, in accord with legislative action. |
| Ìý | Â鶹ԼÅÄ celebrates its "Golden Jubilee," the fiftieth year of class instruction. |
| Ìý | John Brcin's statue of Stephen Decatur is placed on the grounds of the Art Institute. |
| Ìý | The campaign for additional funds to meet increased costs of construction of the science building was launched and completed. |
| 1953 | Contracts were let for construction of the science building. Ground was broken for the new science building, May 24. |
| Ìý | Board of Trustees deliberate on separation of the two colleges. |
| Ìý | Secretary of State of Illinois issues new charter of "Â鶹ԼÅÄ University" as legal successor to the Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Â鶹ԼÅÄ University, July 23. |
| Ìý | University celebrates its semi-centennial. |
| Ìý | Courses by television are inaugurated, Â鶹ԼÅÄ being first in the state of Illinois to offer courses via the new medium. |
| 1954 | First Scovill Prizes awarded. |
| 1955 | Scovill Science Hall is opened for use. |
| Ìý | "Tree planting Day" on campus, November 28. |
| 1956 | President J. Walter MaloneÌýannounces his retirement.ÌýC.L. MillerÌýserves as acting president for second time. |
| Ìý | Television courses for credit are broadcast over WCIA in Champaign. |
| 1957 | Paul Leonard McKayÌýis elected president. Formal installation of President McKay held on October 17. Malone Chapel is dedicated, November 10. |
| 1958 | Board of Managers is eliminated, restructuring the university's governing boards into a larger Board of Trustees. |
| Ìý | First "Parents' Day", combining previous "Mom'" and "Dads'" Days, is observed, October 18. |
| Ìý | President Paul McKay reveals his "Design for Excellence" to the public, April 27. |
| Ìý | Ground broken for the men's residence hall and student union (University Center) byÌýEugenia AllinÌýand Albert Taylor Mills, members of the first faculty, May 31. |
| 1960 | Men's Residence Hall (later named Mills Hall) and University Center are occupied. |
| 1961 | Walker Hall for women was completed. |
| 1962 | Interior of Aston Hall is completely remodeled and refurbished. |
| Ìý | Last residents ofÌýWorld War II era barracksÌýleave, August. |
| Ìý | Albert Taylor Mills, first professor of history at Â鶹ԼÅÄ, dies December 17. |
| 1964 | A new home for the Anna B. Â鶹ԼÅÄ Home for Women is built in Greenwood urban renewal area, and the old Anna Â鶹ԼÅÄ Home is turned over to the university. |
| 1965 | Blackburn Hall is occupied. Â鶹ԼÅÄ is a charter member of the Central States College Association. |
| 1966 | $12.5 million campaign is announced with $3 million earmarked for construction of fine arts center and physical education center |
| 1967 | Hessler Hall for men is dedicated and Men's Residence Hall is formally christened "Mills Hall" at Homecoming. |
| Ìý | Announcement that graduate programs in music and education would be phased out by August 1973. |
| Ìý | A Human Relations Commission was established, and a new group for minority students, For Soul Only, is established. |
| Ìý | Collage, a literary publication, appears as a supplement to theÌýDecaturian. |
| 1969 | The Decatur Art Institute is dissolved. The 100,000thÌýbook is accession in the library. |
| 1970 | Kirkland Fine Arts CenterÌýand Griswold Physical Education Center are completed, dedicated and put to use. |
| Ìý | Former Anna Â鶹ԼÅÄ Home burns, and is later torn down. |
| Ìý | President McKayÌýdies, February.ÌýJ. Roger Miller, former Dean of School of Music and Administrative Assistant to the President, is named as McKay's successor. |
| Ìý | The first "winter term" of coursework is held, January. |
| Ìý | Interdepartmental Major is introduced. |
| Ìý | WJMUÌýbegins radio broadcast. |
| 1975 | "Design For Excellence" campaign is launched for capital improvements, including a new Library building and renovations and additions to the University Center. |
| 1976 | Construction begins on the Staley Library. |
| Ìý | School of Nursing is established. |
| 1978 | Staley LibraryÌýis completed, dedicated, and occupied. |
| 1979 | Renovations of University Center completed,ÌýRichards Treat University CenterÌýopened. |
| 1981 | Commercial Music major is added. |
| Ìý | Birks Museum is dedicated and opened. |
| Ìý | Tabor School of Business is dedicated |
| Ìý | Winter Term is abolished. |
| Ìý | "New Horizons" campaign is announced, including renovations to Liberal Arts Hall. |
| 1984 | U.S. President Ronald ReaganÌývisits campus for agribusiness conference, August |
| Ìý | Mueller Computer Center is opened. |
| 1985 | Writing Major is added to curriculum. |
| Ìý | The athletic field is dedicated and named Frank M. Lindsey Field. |
| 1986 | Renovations begin on Liberal Arts Hall. |
| Ìý | Engineering department to be phased out by 1990. |
| 1987 | U.S. News & World Report places Â鶹ԼÅÄ 8thÌýin Best Small Colleges. |
| Ìý | First two of four new residence halls begin construction. |
| 1988 | Fitness & Wellness Center opens. Renovations completed on Liberal Arts Hall. |
| 1990 | Second set of residence halls are constructed and completed. |
| 1991 | Computers replace card catalog at Staley Library. |
| Ìý | J. Roger MillerÌýannounces his retirement, effective July 1. |
| Ìý | John MiltnerÌýbecomes Â鶹ԼÅÄ's president, July 1. |
| 1992 | Formal Inauguration of Miltner, March. |
| Ìý | President Miltner dies, September 8.ÌýRobert Shimp, provost, is named acting president. |
| 1993 | Dr. Curtis McCrayÌýis named as president. |
| 1995 | Ground is broken forÌýOakland Hall, incorporating student housing and retail, including the bookstore and coffee shop. |
| 1996 | "Advancing the Vision," a capital campaign for $75 million, the largest in university history, is announced. |
| Ìý | Construction begins on the university's first free-standing religious structure, Pilling Chapel. |
| Ìý | Oakland Hall completed, occupied. |
| Ìý | The Woods at Â鶹ԼÅÄ apartments complex begins construction. |
| 1997 | The Woods at Â鶹ԼÅÄ is dedicated. |
| Ìý | Renovations to Frank M. Lindsey Field begins. |
| Ìý | Pilling ChapelÌýis finished and opened for use. |
| Ìý | Big Bronze Man on Campus, by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. is placed on campus. |
| Ìý | School of Music renovations begin, with school of music classes moved to Hessler Hall temporarily. |
| Ìý | President McCrayÌýresigns. Provost Thomas Flynn named acting president.ÌýThomas FlynnÌýis named president in December. |
| 1999 | Thomas Flynn is formally inaugurated as 12thÌýPresident, September. |
| Ìý | Construction begins on new science building, October. |
| Ìý | Construction begins on Decatur Indoor Sports Center, a joint-use facility between Â鶹ԼÅÄ University and the Decatur Park District. |
| 2000 | Perkinson Music Center, named for C.D. "Perk" and Pat Perkinson, is dedicated. |
| Ìý | Decatur Indoor Sports Center opens on October 2. |
| Ìý | Frank M. Lindsay Field receives a new press box, thanks to aÌý $800,000 gift from F. Merrill and Margery "Sis" Lindsay in the late fall. |
| Ìý | First winter commencement ceremony held in Westminster Presbyterian Church in December. |
| 2001 | The Gala Premiere of the centennial celebration is held, May 19. |
| Ìý | Leighty-Tabor Science Center, a $16 million project, is completed in October. |
| 2002 | Classes are held in Leighty-Tabor Science Center for the first time in the spring. |
| Ìý | President Flynn announces a new theater/arts building will be built. |
| Ìý | President Thomas Flynn resigns Sept. 16.ÌýÌýR. John ReynoldsÌýis named acting president the same day.Ìý |
| 2003 | President R. John Reynolds steps down as President on June 30th.ÌýÌýDouglas ZemkeÌýis named president July 1st. |
| 2005 | Remodeled Scovill Science Hall re-opens as the ADM-Scovill Tabor School of Business. |
| 2011 | President Harold Jeffcoat inaugurated as Â鶹ԼÅÄ's 14th president on September 16th. |
| 2013 | President Jeffcoat announces immediate retirement in January. |
| Ìý | Richard L. Dunsworth briefly serves as interim president after Dr. Jeffcoat's retirement. |
| Ìý | President Patrick E. White named as Â鶹ԼÅÄ's 15th president on October 9th, after serving as interim president since July. |
| 2014 | Renovation of Frank M. Lindsay field with new artificial turf, a re-surfaced track, and a high-tech video scoreboard. |
| 2015 | Renovation of Aston Hall. |
| Ìý | Demolition of Mills and Hessler Halls, October-December. |
| Ìý | Groundbreaking on University Commons at Staley Library building project on November 6. |
| 2017 | Opening of the Workman Family Softball Field. Opening of the University Commons, including the newly renovated Staley Library. |
| 2018 | RTUC demolished; ground broken for the new Center for Theatre and Dance on May 18. |
| 2019 | President Pat White announces his upcoming retirement in July 2020. Workman Family Baseball Field is dedicated. |
| 2020 | Jim Reynolds becomes Â鶹ԼÅÄ's 16th President. |
| Ìý | Opening of the new Center for Theatre & Dance. |
| 2024 | The Health Sciences Center, featuring the Campbell Family Nursing Simulation Center, opens. |
| 2025 | Dr. Dean A. Pribbenow becomes Â鶹ԼÅÄ's 17th President. |
| Ìý | The David J. & Debra C. Rathje Athletic Center opens. |
| 2026 | Dr. Dean A. Pribbenow is formally inaugurated on April 10. |
| Ìý | Â鶹ԼÅÄ celebrates its 125th anniversary, with a theme of Forever Blue. |
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