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Our HIstory
Historical Timeline
Explore the milestones, traditions, and transformative moments that have shaped the University of Findlay for more than 140 years. From campus growth to academic innovation, discover the story behind our enduring legacy.
OUR History
Our Past 140 Years
Discover how the University of Findlay has evolved through generations of growth, innovation, and student success.
1880s
- 1882: Findlay College founded by Churches of God and citizens of Findlay
- 1883: Construction begins on Old Main
- 1886: Classes begin with 70 students on Old Main’s third floor
- 1888: College Church of God established
1890s
- 1890: Gymnasium added to Old Main basement
- 1892: Orange and black adopted as school colors
- 1893: Findlay Business College and Music Conservatory purchased
1900s
- 1904: Rev. C.I. Brown becomes president
- 1905-06: Steam heating plant installed, Old Main completely rewired
- 1907: Carrothers Home for the President built
1910s
- 1912: Old Main tower lowered by two stories; chapel remodeled
- 1913: Rev. William Harris Guyer becomes president (served until 1926)
1920s
- 1923: Griffith Memorial Arch erected in front of Old Main
- 1925: Physical Culture Hall (later Renninger Gymnasium) constructed
- 1926: Harvey L. Allen becomes first layman president
- 1929: Homer R. Donathan named president; pushes for accreditation
1930s
- 1931: Admitted to Ohio College Association
- 1933: Accredited by North Central Association; new Carrothers Home built
- 1938: Fire breaks out in Old Main causing $75,000 in damage
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1940s
- 1942: Winebrenner Graduate School of Divinity established
- 1943: Carroll A. Morey named acting president during WWII
- 1947: H. Clifford Fox becomes president
- 1948: North Central Association rescinds accreditation
1950s
- 1955: Post-WWII construction boom begins; Myers Hall and library expansion completed
- 1957: “The Cave” student union opens in Old Main
- 1959: Ollie J. Wilson becomes president; Lovett Hall built
1960s
- 1961: Brewer Science Hall and Alumni Memorial Union open; graduate school separates to become Winebrenner Theological Seminary
- 1962: North Central Association awards conditional accreditation
- 1963: Egner Fine Arts Center opens
- 1964: Ivan E. Frick becomes president at age 35
- 1966: Fox Residence Hall opens; full accreditation restored
- 1968: Shafer Library dedicated
- 1969: Croy Physical Education Center, Deming Hall, and Henderson Cafeteria open
1970s
- 1970: Bare Residence Hall constructed
- 1971: Campus radio station WLFC-AM begins broadcasting
- 1972: Glen R. Rasmussen becomes president
- 1975: Intensive English Language Institute established for international students
- 1976: Equestrian Studies Program begins
- 1979: Weekend college program starts; football team wins NAIA Division II national championship
1980s
- 1981: Chapel renovated; bilingual multicultural teacher education program certified
- 1982: Mazza Collection founded; Animal Science Program begins
- 1983: Kenneth E. Zirkle becomes president (served 20 years)
- 1984: Nuclear Medicine Institute acquired; Western Equestrian Farm purchased
- 1989: Phil Gardner Fitness Center opens; All Hazards Training Center established; Findlay College becomes University of Findlay
1990s
- 1990: Griffith Memorial Arch moved and renamed; extensive campus renovations including Alumni Memorial Union
- 1991: Kenneth L. Frost Science Center added
- 1992: Enrollment surpasses 3,000; football team wins NAIA Division II championship
- 1993: James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex opens
- 1994: Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion opens as new home for Mazza Museum
- 1995: Wrestling and football teams win national championships
- 1997: Edward and Joyce Brewer Center for Health Sciences opens
- 1998: Cosiano Health Center opens; intergenerational program begins
- 1999: Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex opens; MBA becomes first fully online program
2000s
- 2001: English and western equestrian teams win national titles
- 2002: Front lawn re-landscaped; “Findlay Serves” orientation service project begins
- 2003: Winebrenner Theological Seminary opens adjacent facility; The Village acquired; DeBow Freed becomes president
- 2006: Former Owens Community College campus acquired and renovated
- 2007: 125th anniversary celebration
- 2009: Beckett Animal Science Building opens; men’s basketball team wins NCAA Division II championship with perfect 36-0 record
2010s
- 2010: Dr. Katherine Rowe Fell becomes first female president; “Give Voice to Your Values” campaign launches
- 2011: Hubbard Press building acquired; Oiler Pointe housing added
- 2012: Davis Street Building science addition opens with green technologies
- 2015: Joins Great Midwest Athletic Conference; Mazza Museum opens world’s first paper engineered books gallery
- 2016-2017: Center for Student Life and College of Business opens
- 2017-2018: University purchases Winebrenner Building
- 2018: “Together We Will” campaign launches with $75 million goal
2020s
- 2021: Joseph & Judith Conda STEAM Education Center added to Mazza Museum
- 2022: Beall Oilers Golf Center unveiled; women’s golf team wins NCAA DII national championship with perfect spring season
- 2023: Dick Strahm Champions Field unveiled
- 2025: College Park built with pickleball/basketball courts; Billy J. Watterson donates $6 million for Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership
- 2026: New president expected