1854—Elizabeth Alexander, a pioneer woman living near what is now Fayette, proposes the idea of a college. Her husband, Colonel Robert Alexander, donates $10,000; a son-in-law, Samuel Robertson, donates $5,000 and 10 acres of land.

1855—Construction begins on what has come to be known as Alexander-Dickman Hall. It is built of native limestone blocks and houses classrooms, administrative offices, the president's quarters, and student rooms.

1856—The first Board of Trustees meeting is held, and articles of incorporation are adopted.

January 7, 1857—Classes begin.

1860—A company of male students and faculty members enlists in the Army and goes off to fight in the Civil War. The student-soldiers participate in 17 major battles, carrying a flag hand-sewn by UIU women. The women students and their professors carry on with their studies and welcome back those who are able to return.

1861—David B. Henderson, who will later become the first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from west of the Mississippi, leaves Upper Iowa to fight in the Civil War.

1862—The first commencement ceremony for baccalaureate degrees is held on June 26 in J.E. Robertson Grove.

1865—For the first time, there are women graduates in the May commencement exercises.

1879—Susan Angeline Collins, Upper Iowa's first African-American alumna, graduates; she later becomes a missionary in Africa.

1880—The "tow'ring white pine trees" featured in Upper Iowa's alma mater are planted.

1882—George Safford Parker, founder of the Parker Pen Company, is a student.

1883—Student John R. Mott goes on to become a leader of the Y.M.C.A. movement and receives the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for his work with prisoners of war.

1885—Men's and women's residence halls are constructed on campus.

1890—An auditorium building is constructed. The students choose peacock blue and white as official UIU colors, and the peacock is adopted as school mascot.

1892—The first gymnasium is constructed on campus. Milo Maltbie, future world-renowned economist and muncipalities/utilities giant in New York City, graduates.

1893—The first football team is organized, with 14 men reporting for the squad. The team plays three games the first season: one win, one loss, one tie.

1896—Carleton Magee graduates; he becomes the inventor of the parking meter and an investigator of the Teapot Dome Scandal.

1900—Andrew Carnegie gives the University $25,000 to build a library, remembering Colonel Henderson, his personal friend. John "Doc" Dorman graduates. Doc establishes a dental practice in Fayette and in 1907 becomes football coach at Upper Iowa, a position he is to hold for over 50 years. (Doc set the record for having coached football at one college longer than any other person in the U.S., and was elected to the Coaches' Hall of Fame.)

1902—The David B. Henderson library is completed.

1909—A memorial arch, marking the west entrance to the campus, is presented to the University by the graduating class.

1910-1913—Famous alumni of the University receive their diplomas: John C. Baker, inventor of enriched flour and Desenex skin care products, among others (he had 50 patents for inventions); Dr. Arlie V. Bock, called Athe founding father of sports medicine@ because of his research into the physiological effects of exercise; Dr. William Albright, instrumental in the deciphering, describing, and dating of the Dead Sea Scrolls; and Zinita B. Graf, noted Shakespearean actress and Hollywood star of the silent movie era.

1917—The U.S. enters World War I; the gym becomes a barracks and the athletic field is the scene of military drill. Many male students enlist, and women students organize Red Cross classes.

1920—A systematic program of extension work throughout northeastern Iowa is begun, with Upper Iowa referred to as "a pioneer in the field." A new gym is built, with an indoor swimming pool.

1924—Upper Iowa is a charter member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and gains the football championship.

1928—The University separates from the Methodist Church, which had helped to maintain and support it, and becomes an independent institution. The curriculum is broadened, and academic advisors are assigned to students to provide personalized education.

1934—A new science hall is constructed.

1935—A watershed student self-help project is instituted: a broom factory is begun on campus, employing many students and giving instruction in the techniques of manufacturing and marketing.

1941—Many students enter the military to serve in World War II.

1947-1950—Enrollments increase dramatically as veterans take advantage of the G.I. Bill to complete their education. Extensive improvements and readjustments take place on campus. William Andres and William Hiller graduate; both become CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.

1951-Present—Upper Iowa is continuously accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

1952-1970—Enrollments increase again and many new buildings are constructed: Zinita B. Graf Hall for women, Colgrove-Walker Hall (with auditorium), Garbee Residence Hall, a bookstore building, an addition to the library, and Dorman Memorial Gymnasium.

1972—Upper Iowa launches an external degree program, one of the first (and most successful) in the United States.

1984-1994—The systematic establishment of learning Centers is begun: in Des Moines (Iowa) and Madison (Wisconsin) in 1984; in Waterloo (Iowa) in 1985; in Prairie du Chien (Wisconsin) in 1988; in Manchester (Iowa) in 1991; and at Fort Riley (Kansas) and in Milwaukee and Wausau (Wisconsin) in 1992. The University's administrative structure is reorganized and a new mission statement is adopted; in accordance with mission goals, academic programs are strengthened with new faculty and equipment, and student life is enhanced with new facilities and increased operating budgets. As a result of all these changes, enrollments quadruple. A master landscaping plan for the Fayette campus is developed and approved by the Board of Trustees, and implementation begins in 1991; land adjacent to the University is acquired. A visiting North Central accrediting team commends University personnel for the dramatic turnaround and revitalizing of the institution.

1994-2003—Continuation of the landscaping and building renovation program brings exciting new changes to the campus each year, especially with the construction of Lee Tower Residence Hall. The expansion of the Extended University continues, with the establishment of new centers at Fort Polk (Louisiana) in 1993, Janesville (Wisconsin) in 1994, Fort Leavenworth (Kansas) in 1997, Jackson Barracks (Louisiana) in 2001, and Elkport (Wisconsin) in 2002. In 1995, North Central grants approval of the University's new graduate program. In 1999, with the endorsement of North Central, degree programs are begun in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, and in Vancouver, Canada. In the fall of 1999, the master's degree program is offered on-line. The new millennium is inaugurated with the acquisition of a new physical plant building and the construction of a recreation center on the Fayette Campus. In 2003, the Waterloo Center moves into its own building, and new centers open in Ankeny (IA) and Brooks City-Base (TX).

2004 - Two significant events mark the year: the announcement of a major gift by Alumna Betty Andres to fund a new building, the Andres Center for Business and Education; and the appointment of Dr. Alan G. Walker as the 20th President of the University.

2005 - The University is accepted into full membership in NCAA Division II athletics.