An unstoppable force of innovation for more than a century

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.

1924: James Whitcomb Riley Hospital, named after the Hoosier poet, is dedicated in October. 

1925: IU assumes ownership of Indiana Dental College, which becomes the IU School of Dentistry.

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.

1941: The Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union becomes part of IU. In 1973, it is renamed the School of Physical Education. 

1944: The Indiana Law School becomes affiliated with Indiana University, and is renamed the Indianapolis Division of the IU School of Law.

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.

1968: The Indianapolis Division of the IU School of Law is renamed the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.