University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Something Great in Mind

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Key Dates in History
The name of the institution has changed, but the roots of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee go back to 1885, when Wisconsin established the Milwaukee Normal School, a two-year teacher's college.
1885 Milwaukee Normal School opens to train teachers in downtown Milwaukee at 18th and Wells.
1892 University of Wisconsin offers day and evening classes in Milwaukee.
1909 With the completion of a new Milwaukee Normal School building (today's Mitchell Hall), the campus moves to its present location.
1920 The University of Wisconsin Extension Division, formed in 1907, takes over responsibility for UW instruction in Milwaukee.
1927 Normal school becomes Milwaukee State Teachers College with four-year degree.
1928 UW Extension opens Milwaukee Center downtown.
1951 Milwaukee State Teachers College becomes Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee, with liberal arts degrees.
1956 WSC and UW Milwaukee Extension merge to form UWM.
1961 The 8.6-acre Milwaukee-Downer Seminary site, including three buildings, is purchased.
1963 UWM offers first Ph.D. degree (mathematics).
1964 UWM buys Milwaukee-Downer College buildings, expands campus.
1965 UWM purchases the 6.3-acre Milwaukee University School campus.
1970 Three towers, collectively called Sandburg Residence Halls, open for student housing.
1988 UW System designates eight Centers of Excellence at UWM.
1995 Division of Outreach and Continuing Education Extension (now the School of Continuing Education) moves to new offices in the downtown Plankinton Building.
2000 Carnegie Foundation names UWM to top tier of research universities.
2001 Governor announces Honors Academy at UWM. Women's basketball team is first in school history to reach NCAA Tournament.
2002 UWM opens Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts. Fourth tower added to Sandburg Residence Halls.
2005 Men's basketball team advances to Sweet 16 in NCAA Tournament.
2006 $100-million Campaign for UWM announced. Pavilion athletics complex and Kenilworth Square mixed-use student housing facility open. Men's and women's basketball teams both advance to NCAA Tournament.