An unstoppable force of innovation for more than a century
![Members of the first graduating class of nursing, wearing uniforms, at Wishard Memorial Hospital in 1885 are posed in two rows.](../../images/about/history/first-class-nurses.webp)
1891–1920
1891: Indiana University offers its first classes in Indianapolis.
1914: Long Hospital opens, and the Indiana University Training School for Nurses is founded.
1916: The first extension office for Indiana University opens in Indianapolis.
1917: The first commencement is held for nursing and five students receive graduate diplomas.
1919: The Indianapolis School of Medicine Building is completed.
![Ball Residence for Nurses surrounded by manicured gardens.](../../images/about/history/ball-residence-nurses.webp)
1921–1940
1924: James Whitcomb Riley Hospital, named after the Hoosier poet, is dedicated in October.
1927: The 75-bed William Coleman Hospital for Women is dedicated on October 20.
1928: The Ball Residence for Nurses, now known as Ball Residence Hall, opens its doors.
1934: The School of Dentistry Building and Ball Sunken Gardens are completed.
1938: The Clinical Building is completed.
![Students fill the tables of the Student Union Building cafeteria during a meal.](../../images/about/history/student-union.webp)
1941–1968
1941: The Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union becomes part of IU. In 1973, it is renamed the School of Physical Education.
1953: The Student Union Building opens.
1956: The School of Nursing is established.
1959: The Division of Allied Health Sciences is established within the School of Medicine.
1967: Herron School of Art becomes affiliated with IU.
![Chancellor Maynard K. Hine speaks at the podium during the at the 1971 commencement ceremony.](../../images/about/history/maynard-hine-commencement.webp)
1969–1975
1969: Indiana University and Purdue University merge to create Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Maynard K. Hine becomes the first chancellor.
1970: IUPUI holds its first commencement, granting 1,535 degrees.
1971: The undergraduate campus, consisting of Cavanaugh Hall, Lecture Hall, and University Library, opens.
1972: The IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, IU School of Liberal Arts, Purdue School of Science, and Purdue School of Engineering and Technology are established.
1973: Glenn W. Irwin, Jr. is named the second chancellor of IUPUI.
1975: The Engineering and Technology Building is completed, and the School of Continuing Studies is established.
![Spectators around a table watch as student swim in the 1983 Classic Splash in the Natatorium.](../../images/about/history/classic-splash-natatorium.webp)
1976–1985
1977: The Riley Hospital Intensive Care Clinic, Parent Education and Preparation Center, and Parent Care Unit are completed.
1980: The Riley Hospital Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Clinic and Laboratory is completed.
1981: University Townhouses are built.
1982: The natatorium, track and field stadium, classrooms, and office buildings are completed.
1983: The Elks Cancer Research Center opens.
![Three students look up a dinosaur skeleton on display for 1994’s Dinofest in University Library.](../../images/about/history/dinofest-university-library.webp)
1986–1995
1986: Gerald L. Bepko is named the third chancellor of IUPUI.
1987: The Center on Philanthropy at IUPUI is established with a $4 million grant from Lilly Endowment.
1992: The IU Hospital and Outpatient Center is completed.
1993: Purdue programs complete the move to the main IUPUI campus.
1994: The University Library is dedicated.
![Two students stand in front of canvases, paint visible in the foreground, in Herron School of Art and Design’s painting studio.](../../images/about/history/herron-painting-studio.webp)
1996–2005
1999: The IU Cancer Center, later known as the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, receives national cancer center research designation.
2001: Lawrence W. Inlow Hall is dedicated.
2003: Charles R. Bantz is named the fourth chancellor of IUPUI.
2004: The Informatics & Communications Technology Complex is dedicated.
2005: Herron School of Art and Design moves to the main IUPUI campus.
![Chancellor Nasser Paydar, MayorJoe Hogsett, and Jon LeCrone stand side by side in suits in front of a banner of repeating Horizon League logos. Joe Hogsett holds a basketball with several signatures on it.](../../images/about/history/athletics-horizon-league.webp)
2006–2022
2008: The new Campus Center is completed and dedicated in April.
2010: The Office for Veterans and Military Personnel, Multicultural Success Center, and Honors College hold grand openings.
2012: The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is established and becomes the first of its kind.
2013: The Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is established and Hine Hall, University Tower, and Tower Dining open.
2015: Nasser H. Paydar is named the fifth chancellor of IUPUI.
2016: IUPUI launches the Welcoming Campus Initiative.
2017: IUPUI Jaguar Athletics moves to the Horizon League.
2018: The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management merge to become the School of Health & Human Sciences
2018: IUPUI School of Education is established as separate from IU Bloomington School of Education and sharpens its focus on urban education.
2019: IUPUI celebrates its 50th anniversary.
![Chancellor Latha Ramchand speaks with faculty and staff at a Campus Center event.](../../images/about/history/campus-center.webp)
2023–present
2023: Indiana University and Purdue University sign historic agreement to create separate and independent campuses: Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis.
2024: On July 1, IU Indianapolis officially begins its new era as the nation’s premier urban research university.
2024: Latha Ramchand is named inaugural chancellor of IU Indianapolis.
IU Indianapolis
Office of the Chancellor
301 University Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46202
USA