John Neff
Class of 1955, College of Business Administration
For 150 years, The University of Toledo has been fueling tomorrows through education, research and discovery, patient care and economic development.
Explore Our History
1872
Jesup Wakeman Scott donates 160 acres of land on Nebraska Avenue as an endowment for a university to train Toledo’s young people.
On October 12, Articles of Incorporation are drawn up for the Toledo University of Arts and Trades.
1875
The University opens a year after the death of Jesup Scott in 1874. It's located in the old Independent Church Building at 10th and Adams in downtown Toledo.
1884
In January, Jesup Scott’s sons – Frank, William, and Maurice – turn over the University’s assets to the city of Toledo.
In March, the city establishes Toledo University and creates the Manual Training School as its first department in the top floor of Central High School.
1909
The University faces a lack of funding until John Pyle convinces the city to grant $2,400.
Jerome Raymond is appointed the first president and moves the Manual Training School into one of higher education. He establishes the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as affiliations with the Toledo Conservatory of Music and the YMCA College of Law.
1917
The University's football team is organized.
1919
The student newspaper, the Universi-Teaser premieres. It is later renamed Campus Collegian, Collegian and Independent Collegian.
1922
The yearbook, The Blockhouse, is first published.
The first women's basketball team is organized.
1929
The Board of Directors approve the selection of the 80-acre Rufus Wright farm on West Bancroft for the new campus, based on the recommendation of city planner Harland Bartholomew.
Groundbreaking for the new campus takes place.
1930
The cornerstone is laid for University Hall, the ceremony coinciding with commencement. A copper box, filled with mementoes of the day, is placed in the stone.
1936
The University receives a contract from the Works Progress Administration to build an 8,000-seat stadium.
1941
UToledo's basketball team experiences an outstanding 1941-42 season under head coach Harold Anderson and star player Charles "Chuck" Chuckovits. Unlike many college teams at the time, UToledo's team is racially integrated.
1952
President Asa Smallridge Knowles secures funding to expand campus, including construction of a new library and law building and a new men's dormitory named for past presidents Dowd, Nash and White.
1965
The athletic team's mascot, "Rocky the Rocket," appears for the first time on the cover of football programs.
1969
Chuck Ealey is recruited as quarterback for the University's long-suffering football team, leading UToledo to 35 consecutive victories between 1969 and 1971.
1970
Student Senate requests a moratorium on classes as a memorial to the students killed during protests at Kent State University on May 4.
A protest led by African American students after the killing of students at Jackson State University in Mississippi temporarily closes University Hall, ending when President Carlson met with the students and reached a peaceful accord.
1973
The Medical College of Ohio's first building, the Health Science Building, is completed. Groundbreaking for the Raymon H. Mulford Library, another early MCO building, occurs.
1980
The Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women is dedicated in 1980 in honor of the late Board of Trustees member.
1992
The Center for Visual Arts, designed by internationally-known architect Frank Gehry, is completed on the campus of the Toledo Museum of Art.
1994
Kimberly Urban receives the 100,000th diploma handed out at UToledo.
2005
It is announced that UToledo and MUO will merge into one University.
2011
Rocksy, UToledo's female mascot, debuts.
2015
Dr. Sharon Gaber is selected as the 17th president of UToledo, the first woman to hold the position.
2020
March 18 - In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the University transitions to online classes and remote work.
President Gaber resigns in April. In July, Dr. Gregory Postel steps in as interim president.
Celebrating History. FUELING TOMORROWS.
We celebrated our sesquicentennial throughout the 2022-23 academic year in recognition of the impact the University has had on its community since our founding on Oct. 12, 1872.
UToledo began the year of festivities partnering with the city of Toledo for “Rocket Week” in August to kick off Rocket Athletics and the academic year. The celebration continued with a Rockets Flashback themed Homecoming in October.
Founder’s Day on Oct. 12, 2022 marked our official 150th birthday.
A lecture by Barbara Floyd, retired university archivist and director of the Canaday Center, titled “Ten Events that Shaped 150 Years,” opened an exhibit covering the 150-year history of the institution. The exhibit, “Faith, Vision, and Hard Work: The University of Toledo, 1872-2022,” is on display in the Canaday Center through Aug. 1, 2023. Floyd also wrote a book documenting the first 150 years of the University, titled “An Institution for the Promoting of Knowledge,” published by University of Toledo Press
A Founder’s Day BBQ on both campuses with outdoor activities and a free concert featuring Grammy-winning rapper T-Pain engaged students and the community. While the concert was moved indoors due to rain, we danced throughout the night to local bands Distant Cousinz and the Skittle Bots who started the show, followed by national acts country-rapper David Morris and country singer Nate Smith before the headliner T-Pain took the stage.
UToledo President Gregory Postel’s annual State of the University Address, titled “Reimaging UToledo,” celebrated our history and described our path forward aligned with our new five-year strategic plan. Taking place on April 19, it was timed with 419 Day, an unofficial holiday for the Toledo region connected to our 419 area code. UToledo celebrated with a Rocket Spring Festival that filled Centennial Mall with food trucks and activities provided by SuperGames. The day concluded with a fireworks show that illuminated Main Campus.
Give To The Future
At The University of Toledo, our vision is that financial strain is never a barrier for motivated students with a passion to learn. As part of this historic milestone, all contributions to our sesquicentennial campaign will directly support need-based scholarships for deserving students.
Meet UToledo’s Inspirational Alumni
Nina McClelland, Ph.D.
Class of 1951, College of Arts and Sciences
Frederic Baur, Ph.D.
Class of 1939, College of Arts and Sciences
Judith Herb
Class of 1961, 1964; College of Education
Chuck Ealey
Class of 1972, College of Business Administration
Karen Seibert
Class of 1983, College of Pharmacy
Philip Baker Hall
Class of 1954, College of Education
Shannetta R. Griffin
Class of 1985, College of Engineering
Howard An, M.D.
Class of 1982, Medical College of Ohio
Debi Sampsel , D.N.P.
Class of 1980, 1981, 1985; Medical College of Ohio School of Nursing
Jack Zouhary, J.D.
Class of 1976, College of Law
Catina Harding
Class of 2002, 2008; College of Health and Human Services