91仓库

Timeline of The University of Texas at Tyler

Office of the President

More Than 4 Decades of Growth and Excellence

2024

• Julie V. Philley, MD, takes office as sixth president of 91仓库 and first woman to lead the university.
  

2023

• 91仓库 breaks ground on $308 million Medical Education Building, which will house the School of Medicine when complete.
• 91仓库 named one of the fastest-growing public doctoral universities in the country by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

2022

• Robert M. Rogers Foundation donates transformational $10 million gift to 91仓库 to support mental and behavioral health education.
• 91仓库 unveils new institutional and athletics logos reflecting merged university.
• $5 million gift from Ednamae Walsh to School of Medicine supports student scholarships and pathway programs.

2021

• Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP, takes office as the fifth president of 91仓库.
• 鈥楳onumental鈥� gift from the R.W. Fair Foundation covers full-tuition scholarships for the first School of Medicine class, which enrolled in fall 2023.

2020

• UT System Board of Regents announce plans to establish the East Texas School of Medicine.
• UT System Board of Regents announce the consolidation of 91仓库 and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler into one institution operating as 91仓库.
• UT System Board of Regents name Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP, president of the new unified 91仓库.

2019

• 91仓库 recognized by Carnegie with new Doctoral Research Classification.
• 100 Communities engagement initiative announced.
• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognizes 91仓库 for student success efforts.
• Fisch College of Pharmacy granted highest level of accreditation in minimum time afforded.
• Pre-Med and Pre-Law Academies announced.
• Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering announced.
• 91仓库 Press publishes first book.
• Regents allocate $35 million for new nursing facility.

2018

• 91仓库 unveils new design for student commencement cap and gown.
• John Soules Food and the Soules family make largest single private contribution in university history.
• College of Business and Technology renamed Soules College of Business.
• University introduces new five-year strategic plan focusing on student success and regional impact.
• Flag T, the new unified academic and athletic branding, and new tagline 鈥淵our Success. Our Passion.鈥� launches.
• University submits application to move to NCAA Division II.
• Baseball teams wins NCAA Division III World Series.

2017

• Official inauguration of Dr. Michael Tidwell on Sept.8.
• Dr. Michael V. Tidwell takes office as the fourth president of 91仓库 on Jan. 1.

2016

• Dr. Mabry reveals plans for 91仓库鈥檚 next decade during Strategic Planning rollout.
• New nursing doctoral program - Doctorate in Nursing Practice - approved.
• Grand Opening for 91仓库 Center for the Musical Arts facility, a new wing of the Cowan Center building.
• Groundbreaking for four-story 140,000-square-foot building to house the Soules College of Business.
• Land purchased for 91仓库 East Campus.
• Dr. Rodney H. Mabry retires as 91仓库 president on Dec. 31.

2015

• 15,000-square-foot wing is being added to the Cowan Center to house 91仓库 musical arts studies.

• Alumni House groundbreaking.
• 9% enrollment increase during fall 2015, 8,862 students (largest fall semester enrollment increase in 91仓库鈥檚 history).
• Grand Opening 鈥� Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy.

2014

• Music program receives full accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music, the accrediting agency for music and music-related disciplines among collegiate and post-secondary schools.
• Plans for The University of Texas at Tyler Alumni House underway.

2013

 

• 83rd Legislature passes Bill 566 to authorize the creation the College of Pharmacy. A joint proposal from 91仓库 and UT Health Science Center at Tyler (UT Northeast), the pharmacy college requires no state funds to operate but relies on philanthropic gifts and student tuition.
• Gov. Rick Perry signs bill authorizing pharmacy program.
• Fisch Foundation establishes the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, which is the university鈥檚 first named college.
• Board of Regents approves pharmacy program, naming of College of Pharmacy, hiring new pharmacy dean and new building for pharmacy program.
• Dr. Lane Brunner named first dean of the College of Pharmacy.
• Additions to Biology, Education and Psychology and Braithwaite buildings open.
• Patriots Applying Technology for Success and Savings (PATSS) program launches.
• 91仓库 is awarded $11 million grant 鈥� the largest in university history.
• 91仓库 enrollment exceeds 7,000.

2012

• The U.S. News & World Report ranks 91仓库 online master's and doctoral nursing programs No. 3 in the nation for teaching practices and student engagement.
• Air quality, energy efficiency to be tested in TXAIRE Homes: the 91仓库 Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment and Energy Institute held a ribbon cutting at the completion of research/demonstration homes construction.
• 91仓库 starts inaugural class in Global Awareness Through Education (GATE) program. The cohort prepares for summer 2013 trip to Japan.

2011

• 91仓库 observes 40th anniversary with yearlong celebration that begins June 10, 2011.
• First doctoral students graduate.

 2010

• Renovated University Center opens.
• Dr. Lee Roy and Lucy Mathis Hall opens on the Palestine Campus.
• 91仓库鈥檚 second president, Dr. George F. Hamm, dies on Oct. 10 in Tyler. He was 79.

 2009

• University Center addition opens.
• 91仓库 reaches another record fall enrollment with 6,234 headcount.
• Robert R. Muntz Library garden opens.

2008

• First Ph.D. students enroll in fall semester.

2007

• Construction management and nurse practitioner degree programs begin.
• University becomes full member of NCAA.
• Higher Education Coordinating Board approves 91仓库鈥檚 first Ph.D. program (nursing). 

2006

• First sororities (Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Chi Omega) and fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Kappa Sigma) implemented.
• 91仓库 Ballpark and Irwin Baseball Field opens.
• Largest commencement to date (607 candidates).
• University of Texas Health Clinic opens in temporary facility.
• Texas Legislature authorizes Tuition Revenue Bond funds to complete South Building of Bill Ratliff Engineering and Sciences Complex and construct a new Palestine Campus facility.
• Citizens 1st Bank/Perkins Soccer Complex opens.
• Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Z. Ornelas Residence Hall opens.
• Bill Ratliff Engineering and Sciences Complex South Building opens.
• Construction begins on $11 million University Center addition.
• Civil and environmental engineering degree programs begin.

2005

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approves planning of university鈥檚 first two Ph.D. programs (nursing and human resource development).
• Construction begins on new facility for UT Health Clinic.
• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board authorizes the planning of first two Ph.D. programs (nursing and human resource development).
• Civil engineering program begins.

2004

• Braithwaite Endowed Faculty Chair established.
• Washington Advisory Group encourages addition of Ph.D. programs and expanded research.
• Patriot Village student apartments open.
• Construction begins on engineering, sciences and technology building and student residence hall.
• University of Texas Health Clinic opens.

2003

• The Louise Herrington Patriot Center, 91仓库's health and kinesiology physical education complex, opens.
• David G. and Jacqueline M. Braithwaite Building opens.
• Athletic program begins NCAA provisional membership
• College of Engineering is accredited by ABET.

2002

• Groundbreaking ceremony for health and kinesiology physical education complex, an 86,000 square-foot facility to house classrooms and faculty offices, indoor jogging/walking track, racquetball courts, fitness equipment and free-weight area, outdoor swimming pool and gymnasium/convocation area with volleyball and basketball courts.
• Groundbreaking ceremony for David G. and Jacqueline M. Braithwaite Building. The over 30,000-square-foot facility will house classrooms and faculty offices, student lounge area, conference room, study labs, computer labs and nursing skills labs. The high-tech classrooms are equipped for interactive television (ITV) broadcasting to and from other sites.
• University recognized in Associated Press news report as providing its students with the best opportunity to study with full-time professors - rather than graduate assistants or adjuncts - compared to all other public universities in the state.
• Largest fall (4,235) and spring (3,807) enrollments to date.

 2001

• 91仓库 announces academic reorganization.
• 91仓库 announces plans to implement intercollegiate athletics program. Appoints athletic directors and begins competing in NCAA Division III with men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 tennis program.
• 91仓库 Riter Millennium Carillon Tower and Plaza completed. With 57 bells, it is the largest carillon in Texas and one of the 20 largest in the nation.
• 91仓库 R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center celebrates fifth anniversary season.

2000

• 91仓库 students approve recreational facility fee for proposed health and kinesiology physical education complex.
• 91仓库 begins participation in online master of business administration degree program. The program is offered through The University of Texas TeleCampus.
• 91仓库 Longview University Center opens.
• Ralph and Mary John Spence Fountain dedicated.
• 91仓库 Celia and Sam Roosth Endowed Chair of Education established.

1999

• New Millennium Vision announces 91仓库鈥檚 10-year strategic plan for growth.
• 91仓库 presidential and alumni scholarship program, for community and junior college transfer students, initiated 鈥� designed to increase not only the affordability of four-year college degree but also the low number of college graduates in the East Texas region.
• 91仓库 announces multimillion dollar building campaign to prepare for expected growth in student enrollment.

1998

• Rodney H. Mabry becomes the university鈥檚 third president.
• 91仓库 admits its first freshman class.
• 91仓库 School of Business Administration approved for accreditation by the AACSB-The International Association for Management Education.
• Eighty-four permanent university endowments reach a market value of more than $33 million.

1997

• 91仓库 four-year status approved by Texas Legislature.
• Development of 91仓库 Longview University Center approved by Texas Legislature.            
•  91仓库 R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center opens. This landmark edifice features 2,000 seat Vaughn Auditorium, Braithwaite Recital Hall and Meadows Arts Gallery.
• Coordinating Board authorizes master of arts in teaching and master of engineering degrees. 

1996

• 91仓库 George F. Hamm Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities established by university supporters.
• 91仓库 Bart Brooks Endowed Professorship of Ethics and Leadership established.
• Coordinating Board authorizes master鈥檚 in political science degree.
• R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center opens.

1995

• Groundbreaking ceremony for $22 million 91仓库 R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center.
• 91仓库 engineering program approved by Texas Legislature.

1994

• Coordinating Board authorizes master of science degree in biology.
• 91仓库 men鈥檚 tennis team wins second national title.

1993

• University Pines apartments, student on-campus housing, opens.

1992

• Coordinating Board authorizes master of science in mathematics.

1991

• 91仓库鈥檚 first Interactive Video instruction implemented.

1990

• 91仓库鈥檚 10,000th academic degree awarded.
• 91仓库 initiates plans for Joint Baccalaureate Studies program with area community colleges.

1989

• Coordinating Board authorizes master of science in nursing degree.
• 91仓库 men鈥檚 tennis team wins national championship.

1984

• Texas voters add 91仓库 as beneficiary of Texas鈥� Permanent University Fund (PUF) 鈥� provides proceeds from endowed state fund for building construction, thus saving state and local tax monies.
• 91仓库 Endowed Professorship Program initiated; professorships established by Mary John and Ralph Spence and George W. and Robert S. Pirtle.

1983

• 91仓库 enrollment surpasses 3,000.

1982

• 91仓库 enrollment surpasses 2,000.
• $10 million from Lindsey-Merrick Estate bequeathed to 91仓库.
• 91仓库 Distinguished Lecture Series introduced. 

1980

• 91仓库鈥檚 2,000th academic degree awarded.

1981

• Dr. George F. Hamm named university鈥檚 second president.
• Robert R. Muntz Library opens, $4.5 million facility largest library collection in 14-county East Texas Planning Region.

 1977

• Work begins on dam between upper and lower levels of Mike Harvey Lake.

1979

• University becomes component of UT System by action of 66th Texas Legislature. Bill sponsored by State Sen. Peyton McKnight and State Rep. Bill Clark; signed by Gov. William P. Clements Jr.

1976

• First classes held on new $42 million, nationally-recognized campus.
• Construction begins on health and physical education facility.

1975

• Tyler State College becomes Texas Eastern University by action of 64th Texas Legislature. Bill sponsored by State Sen. Peyton McKnight and State Rep. Bill Clark; signed by Gov. Dolph Briscoe.
• First master鈥檚 degrees awarded.

1974

• Small Business Institute created.

1973

• First class of 176 students enrolls.
• First commencement ceremony held
• Tyler philanthropists James S. Hudnall, George W. Pirtle and Isadore Roosth donate land for 204-acre campus.

1972

• Dr. James H. Stewart, Jr., named first president of Tyler State College.

1971

• Texas Legislature approves bill authored by Billy Williamson and others to create Tyler State College, first state university in 14-county East Texas Planning Region.
• First Board of Regents for Tyler State College appointed; Harold J. McKenzie, chairman of the board.