This content requires the Adobe Flash Player. Get Flash >> 1929 The University of Kansas City is chartered. The University’s newly created board of trustees sets out to raise funds. 1930 The University of Kansas City merges with Lincoln and Lee University. William Volker, a local philanthropist for whom the Volker campus is named, donates 40.8 acres – almost half of the campus’s current 93 acres. 1933 First class enrolls. The University needs at least 125 students to begin operations. In October 1933, a total of 265 students enroll. The faculty is comprised of just 17 instructors. Only two years of coursework are offered, but soon third and fourth years are added. The Dickey mansion, now known as Scofield Hall, houses all classrooms, the library, a cafeteria, and the business and administration offices. 1933 The history of Scofield Hall. Scofield Hall, originally known as the Dickey mansion, is later named for Carleton F. Scofield (pictured), chancellor at the time of the merger of UKC with the University of Missouri. It originally housed all the classrooms, the library, cafeteria, and the business and administrative offices. 1934 School colors determined. In March, a student council decree determines that the colors of the University of Kansas City will be “old gold and royal blue.” 1935 First building constructed for the University is completed. The building, now known as Mannheim Hall, is initially used for geosciences classes. 1936 First class graduates. Eighty students and their guests attend a commencement ceremony in June. The University’s president-elect, J. Douglas Spaeth, delivers the address. 1936 The University’s second purpose-built structure is completed. The building, now called Newcomb Hall after Ernest H. Newcomb, who managed the University in its first years, is designed as a library. Today it houses the University’s archives and several special collections. 1937 Kasey jumps into our hearts. Thanks to the Kansas City Zoo’s purchase of two baby kangaroos and Walt Disney’s artistic involvement, Kasey the Kangaroo captures the hearts and imaginations of the University and becomes the official mascot. 1937 Haag Hall is built. Originally called the Liberal Arts Building, the hall is later renamed in memory of Lena Haag, the donor whose gift funded the structure. It houses the General Studies program. 1938 The Kansas City School of Law merges with the University of Kansas City. 1938 Dr. Charles Decker becomes the second University president. At only 38, the English professor is the youngest college president in the country. 1940 Alma Mater is presented UMKC Alma Mater Hail to thee, our noble Alma Mater, Our foster mother, cherished gold and blue; Never in our hearts can any other Replace the mem’ries of our days with you, Student days, carefree and true. May thy years be crowned with glory, And fortunes never fail thee. This we pledge will always be the story That we who love thy fair traditions May ever sing of KCU. 1941-45 Women make up the majority of the University’s student body. The number of male students dwindles when the United States begins military involvement in World War II. 1941 Kansas City-Western Dental College joins the University of Kansas City. 1941 Swinney Recreation Center is built. The building is erected as a gift by bank president and prominent philanthropist E.F. Swinney. It houses basketball, racquetball and squash courts, an Olympic-sized pool, a weight-training center and indoor track. It temporarily serves as housing for Air Force cadets during World War II. 1942 The Fine Arts Center is built. The building is remodeled in 1975 to house the Department of Art and Art History and part of the Department of Communication Studies. It is also the location of the UMKC Art Gallery. 1943 Epperson House is donated to the University. The widow of banker and industrialist Uriah Epperson donates the 56-room Tudor-Gothic mansion to UKC. The home, which was completed in 1923 and served as a private residence for Epperson and his family, serves as a men’s residence hall until 1956. Today, Epperson House serves as the home of the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design. 1943 Kansas City College of Pharmacy becomes part of the University of Kansas City. 1945 Harry S. Truman is awarded the University’s first honorary degree. Truman receives his degree during commencement. 1948 The first African-American student matriculates at UKC. Harold Lee Holliday Sr. is the first African-American student admitted to UKC. In 1952 he becomes the first African-American student to graduate from the University. Holliday’s acceptance to the University paves the way for other African-American students to apply to the University. Today, the University prides itself on its diverse student population. 1950 Cockefair Hall is built. The first building completed after World War II is originally constructed for the Law School. It is later remodeled and renamed for Carolyn Benton Cockefair, a former faculty member. 1953 The School of Business Administration is established as a division of the University. 1954 The School of Education is established. The first doctoral program, the Ph.D. in education, is inaugurated with the organizing of the school as a separate academic division in 1954. The University had offered a master’s degree in education since 1940 and an undergraduate major in elementary education since 1952. 1954 Intercollegiate athletics and national fraternities and sororities are approved by the University’s trustees. 1955 Construction on Cherry Street Residence Hall begins. 1957 KCUR-FM goes on air. Kansas City’s source for National Public Radio programming and other news and entertainment operates as a service of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 1958 Chancellor’s Residence is donated to the University. The Tudor-style home, built in 1933 and gifted to the University by the Hashinger family, initially serves as home to the University’s president. Today it is the Chancellor’s official residence and serves as a public reception space. 1959 The Kansas City Conservatory of Music joins the University. 1961 The University Center is built. The “U Center” currently houses Pierson Auditorium, the cafeteria, bookstore, Student Life office and campus information center. 1963 The University of Kansas City joins the University of Missouri System. UKC becomes the University of Missouri-Kansas City and enrollment increases nearly 50 percent. 1964 Missouri Repertory Theatre (now the Kansas City Repertory Theatre) opens its first season. Above, cast members perform during The Missouri Repertory Theatre’s inaugural performance, “The Corn is Green”, in 1964. 1965 Katz Hall is built. Named after Isaac and Michael Katz, founders of a major Kansas City drugstore chain, the Katz Pharmacy Building houses UMKC’s School of Pharmacy until that program is moved to the Health Sciences Building on Hospital Hill. The Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design is scheduled to move into the renovated Katz facility by August 2010. 1968 Miller Nichols Library is built. 1968 James C. Olson is named chancellor. He later becomes president of the University of Missouri system. 1968 Royall Hall is completed. Named for Norman N. Royall, Jr., former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the building features classrooms, an astronomical observatory and a student lounge. 1969 The Education Building is completed. 1969 The University hosts its first Afro-American Week The week includes lectures, panel discussions and entertainment. Renowned poet Gwendolyn Brooks attends. 1972 The Biological Sciences Building and Spencer Chemistry Building are constructed. 1977 George Russell is named chancellor. Russell later becomes president of the University of Missouri System in 1991. 1979 The Performing Arts Center is built. The “PAC” is now home to the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, the Helen F. Spencer Theatre and White Recital Hall. It also contains studios and practice rooms for student use. The building is renamed the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center in 2008, in honor of the former chancellor and UM System president. 1979 The School of Nursing is established. 1985 The School of Biological Sciences is established. 1986 The School of Business and Public Administration is named after Henry W. Bloch. Co-founder of H&R Block, Henry W. Bloch begins his enduring dedication to the school that bears his name. 1986 First Entrepreneur of the Year award is given to Ewing Marion Kauffman. 1988 The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is established. The office serves as a liaison between the University and multicultural students in assessing students’ needs and developing relevant programs. It is located inside the African-American History and Culture House at 5245 Rockhill Road. 1999 Flarsheim Hall is completed. The hall is named for benefactor Robert A. Flarsheim and houses the chemistry, geosciences and physics departments, as well as the computer science, telecommunications and engineering programs. 2002 The School of Computing and Engineering is established. 2004 Oak Street Residence Hall opens. The building provides housing for more than 500 students and also features classrooms and study lounges. 2007 Health Sciences Building opens The building on Hospital Hill is home to the schools of Pharmacy and Nursing. 2008 The University celebrates its 75-year anniversary. 2008 Oak Place Apartments opens to students. The apartments help accommodate the University’s enrollment growth and transformation into a residential campus. 2009 The first class of the Institute for Urban Education graduates. The IUE, established in 2005 as the first program of its kind in the United States, prepares teachers for success in urban classrooms by introducing issues of social justice and multicultural learning styles. IUE students receive scholarships to study for a bachelor’s degree in elementary or middle school education in exchange for their commitment to teach in a Kansas City area urban district following graduation. 2009 Herman and Dorothy Johnson Residence Hall is scheduled to open. UMKC’s newest residence hall is scheduled to open in August of 2009. The hall is named in remembrance of the respected and influential civic leaders. 2009 Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field will open. This stadium will provide our student athletes, students and community groups with one of the top soccer facilities in the Summit League and the Midwest. The late Stan Durwood was one of the University’s strongest supporters. The Stanley H. Durwood Foundation pledge of $5 million is the largest single commitment ever made to UMKC Athletics. 2010 New student union scheduled to open. The environmentally friendly facility will provide a wider range of dining options, computer and lounge space, meeting rooms and a theater. 2010 Phase I of the Miller Nichols Library Expansion Project scheduled for completion. The $70 million library expansion will provide our growing student body, faculty, staff and community members with better technology, resources and study space. As the largest academic research library in the metropolitan area, the library’s renovations will take place in three phases: Phase I is expected to be completed in December 2010, and Phase II and Phase III are expected to take approximately 18 months apiece.
The University’s newly created board of trustees sets out to raise funds.
The University of Kansas City merges with Lincoln and Lee University. William Volker, a local philanthropist for whom the Volker campus is named, donates 40.8 acres – almost half of the campus’s current 93 acres.
First class enrolls. The University needs at least 125 students to begin operations. In October 1933, a total of 265 students enroll. The faculty is comprised of just 17 instructors. Only two years of coursework are offered, but soon third and fourth years are added. The Dickey mansion, now known as Scofield Hall, houses all classrooms, the library, a cafeteria, and the business and administration offices.
The history of Scofield Hall. Scofield Hall, originally known as the Dickey mansion, is later named for Carleton F. Scofield (pictured), chancellor at the time of the merger of UKC with the University of Missouri. It originally housed all the classrooms, the library, cafeteria, and the business and administrative offices.
School colors determined. In March, a student council decree determines that the colors of the University of Kansas City will be “old gold and royal blue.”
First building constructed for the University is completed. The building, now known as Mannheim Hall, is initially used for geosciences classes.
First class graduates. Eighty students and their guests attend a commencement ceremony in June. The University’s president-elect, J. Douglas Spaeth, delivers the address.
The University’s second purpose-built structure is completed. The building, now called Newcomb Hall after Ernest H. Newcomb, who managed the University in its first years, is designed as a library. Today it houses the University’s archives and several special collections.
Kasey jumps into our hearts. Thanks to the Kansas City Zoo’s purchase of two baby kangaroos and Walt Disney’s artistic involvement, Kasey the Kangaroo captures the hearts and imaginations of the University and becomes the official mascot.
Haag Hall is built. Originally called the Liberal Arts Building, the hall is later renamed in memory of Lena Haag, the donor whose gift funded the structure. It houses the General Studies program.
The Kansas City School of Law merges with the University of Kansas City.
Dr. Charles Decker becomes the second University president. At only 38, the English professor is the youngest college president in the country.
Alma Mater is presented UMKC Alma Mater Hail to thee, our noble Alma Mater, Our foster mother, cherished gold and blue; Never in our hearts can any other Replace the mem’ries of our days with you, Student days, carefree and true. May thy years be crowned with glory, And fortunes never fail thee. This we pledge will always be the story That we who love thy fair traditions May ever sing of KCU.
Women make up the majority of the University’s student body. The number of male students dwindles when the United States begins military involvement in World War II.
Kansas City-Western Dental College joins the University of Kansas City.
Swinney Recreation Center is built. The building is erected as a gift by bank president and prominent philanthropist E.F. Swinney. It houses basketball, racquetball and squash courts, an Olympic-sized pool, a weight-training center and indoor track. It temporarily serves as housing for Air Force cadets during World War II.
The Fine Arts Center is built. The building is remodeled in 1975 to house the Department of Art and Art History and part of the Department of Communication Studies. It is also the location of the UMKC Art Gallery.
Epperson House is donated to the University. The widow of banker and industrialist Uriah Epperson donates the 56-room Tudor-Gothic mansion to UKC. The home, which was completed in 1923 and served as a private residence for Epperson and his family, serves as a men’s residence hall until 1956. Today, Epperson House serves as the home of the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design.
Kansas City College of Pharmacy becomes part of the University of Kansas City.
Harry S. Truman is awarded the University’s first honorary degree. Truman receives his degree during commencement.
The first African-American student matriculates at UKC. Harold Lee Holliday Sr. is the first African-American student admitted to UKC. In 1952 he becomes the first African-American student to graduate from the University. Holliday’s acceptance to the University paves the way for other African-American students to apply to the University. Today, the University prides itself on its diverse student population.
Cockefair Hall is built. The first building completed after World War II is originally constructed for the Law School. It is later remodeled and renamed for Carolyn Benton Cockefair, a former faculty member.
The School of Business Administration is established as a division of the University.
The School of Education is established. The first doctoral program, the Ph.D. in education, is inaugurated with the organizing of the school as a separate academic division in 1954. The University had offered a master’s degree in education since 1940 and an undergraduate major in elementary education since 1952.
Intercollegiate athletics and national fraternities and sororities are approved by the University’s trustees.
Construction on Cherry Street Residence Hall begins.
KCUR-FM goes on air. Kansas City’s source for National Public Radio programming and other news and entertainment operates as a service of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Chancellor’s Residence is donated to the University. The Tudor-style home, built in 1933 and gifted to the University by the Hashinger family, initially serves as home to the University’s president. Today it is the Chancellor’s official residence and serves as a public reception space.
The Kansas City Conservatory of Music joins the University.
The University Center is built. The “U Center” currently houses Pierson Auditorium, the cafeteria, bookstore, Student Life office and campus information center.
The University of Kansas City joins the University of Missouri System. UKC becomes the University of Missouri-Kansas City and enrollment increases nearly 50 percent.
1964 Missouri Repertory Theatre (now the Kansas City Repertory Theatre) opens its first season. Above, cast members perform during The Missouri Repertory Theatre’s inaugural performance, “The Corn is Green”, in 1964.
Katz Hall is built. Named after Isaac and Michael Katz, founders of a major Kansas City drugstore chain, the Katz Pharmacy Building houses UMKC’s School of Pharmacy until that program is moved to the Health Sciences Building on Hospital Hill. The Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design is scheduled to move into the renovated Katz facility by August 2010.
Miller Nichols Library is built.
James C. Olson is named chancellor. He later becomes president of the University of Missouri system.
Royall Hall is completed. Named for Norman N. Royall, Jr., former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the building features classrooms, an astronomical observatory and a student lounge.
The Education Building is completed.
The University hosts its first Afro-American Week The week includes lectures, panel discussions and entertainment. Renowned poet Gwendolyn Brooks attends.
The Biological Sciences Building and Spencer Chemistry Building are constructed.
George Russell is named chancellor. Russell later becomes president of the University of Missouri System in 1991.
The Performing Arts Center is built. The “PAC” is now home to the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, the Helen F. Spencer Theatre and White Recital Hall. It also contains studios and practice rooms for student use. The building is renamed the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center in 2008, in honor of the former chancellor and UM System president.
The School of Nursing is established.
The School of Biological Sciences is established.
The School of Business and Public Administration is named after Henry W. Bloch. Co-founder of H&R Block, Henry W. Bloch begins his enduring dedication to the school that bears his name.
First Entrepreneur of the Year award is given to Ewing Marion Kauffman.
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is established. The office serves as a liaison between the University and multicultural students in assessing students’ needs and developing relevant programs. It is located inside the African-American History and Culture House at 5245 Rockhill Road.
Flarsheim Hall is completed. The hall is named for benefactor Robert A. Flarsheim and houses the chemistry, geosciences and physics departments, as well as the computer science, telecommunications and engineering programs.
The School of Computing and Engineering is established.
Oak Street Residence Hall opens. The building provides housing for more than 500 students and also features classrooms and study lounges.
Health Sciences Building opens The building on Hospital Hill is home to the schools of Pharmacy and Nursing.
The University celebrates its 75-year anniversary.
Oak Place Apartments opens to students. The apartments help accommodate the University’s enrollment growth and transformation into a residential campus.
The first class of the Institute for Urban Education graduates. The IUE, established in 2005 as the first program of its kind in the United States, prepares teachers for success in urban classrooms by introducing issues of social justice and multicultural learning styles. IUE students receive scholarships to study for a bachelor’s degree in elementary or middle school education in exchange for their commitment to teach in a Kansas City area urban district following graduation.
Herman and Dorothy Johnson Residence Hall is scheduled to open. UMKC’s newest residence hall is scheduled to open in August of 2009. The hall is named in remembrance of the respected and influential civic leaders.
Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field will open. This stadium will provide our student athletes, students and community groups with one of the top soccer facilities in the Summit League and the Midwest. The late Stan Durwood was one of the University’s strongest supporters. The Stanley H. Durwood Foundation pledge of $5 million is the largest single commitment ever made to UMKC Athletics.
New student union scheduled to open. The environmentally friendly facility will provide a wider range of dining options, computer and lounge space, meeting rooms and a theater.
Phase I of the Miller Nichols Library Expansion Project scheduled for completion. The $70 million library expansion will provide our growing student body, faculty, staff and community members with better technology, resources and study space. As the largest academic research library in the metropolitan area, the library’s renovations will take place in three phases: Phase I is expected to be completed in December 2010, and Phase II and Phase III are expected to take approximately 18 months apiece.
