1862

1862

Twenty-one acres of land, known as “Withnell’s Grove,” was purchased for establishing a “Young Ladies Academy at the Convent of the Sacred Heart.” Though the foundations were laid, financial difficulties arose, delaying construction until after the Civil War.

1872

1872

Maryville was founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart as an academy for young women. Maryville’s first campus was built on Meramec and Nebraska Avenues in South St. Louis.

1873

1873

First degrees awarded. The plan of studies at the time resembled the French academic model; the two highest classes were the equivalent of junior college work.

1889

1889

The original Maryville chapel was built and included stunning stained-glass windows, a white marble high altar and bronze communion rail.

1913

1913

Maryville Alumni Association was formed.

1921

1921

Maryville officially became a junior college. Two highest classes given full accreditation by the state of Missouri. The lower classes were now known as academy classes.

1923

1923

Maryville became a four-year college. The
gymnasium, a gift of the alumni, was formally opened.

1929

1929

Maryville College and Academy separate when Academy classes move to Villa Duchesne.

1933

1933

Maryville co-sponsored the first meeting of the Associated Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AASH), alumni of Sacred Heart academies and colleges throughout the United States and Canada.

1939

1939

Honors Program established by Mother Marion Bascom, ’25, based on the Oxford tutorial system.

1950

1950

Duchesne Hall dedicated on the original campus.
The building contained a student lounge, dining
room, faculty room and theater.

1955

1955

Permanent Alumni Office established. The first Alumni Director was Dorothy “Dot” Garesche Holland, ’26. Later, Holland’s niece, Rosemary Holland Gidionsen, ’50, held the same role before becoming Executive Assistant to the President.

1957

1957

Decision was made to move to new campus in West St. Louis County on acquired 290-acre site. Alumni spearheaded development drive that raised nearly $1 million to facilitate the move.

1961

1961

New campus dedicated by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter on April 23. Last Commencement held on the 89-year-old Meramec and Nebraska campus in South St. Louis in May. Sixty-four women graduate.

1968

1968

A decision was made to begin to admit men
to courses.

1969

1969

First three men enrolled in and attended classes.

1970

1970

Maryville absorbed Mercy Junior College to create the Mercy Department of Nursing at Maryville. It became the basis for today’s Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker College of Health Professions.

1972

1972

Ownership of College turned over to a lay board of trustees. Maryville celebrated its centennial year.

1978

1978

Maryville joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

1981

1981

Weekend College launched in the spring, representing the first program of its kind for nontraditional students in the St. Louis area.

1991

1991

The college achieved university status. The official name of the institution changed from Maryville College to Maryville University.

1993

1993

The institution was reorganized into one college and three schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, the John E. Simon School of Business, the School of Education and the School of Health Professions.

1997

1997

Maryville celebrated its 125th anniversary.

2008

2008

Maryville became an active member in NCAA
Division II, joining the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

2013

2013

Maryville named the No. 1 overperforming university in the nation for the second year in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

2015

2015

Digital World initiative launched. Today, all traditional undergraduate students and select graduate programs receive a free iPad with more than 200 free learning apps.

2015

2015

Life Coach Program launched, helping students develop personally, academically and professionally.

2015

2015

Maryville unveiled a new branding initiative featuring a reinvented “M” logo. The new “M” logo represents who Maryville is; it’s dynamic, bold, easily identifiable and inventive.

2018

2018

Maryville University named an Apple Distinguished School for 2018–2021 — marking the second recognition — for leadership and excellence in providing students with a high-tech, mobile learning environment.

2020

2020

Maryville named second fastest growing private university in the nation by The Chronicle of
Higher Education.

2022

2022

Maryville celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Our History. Our Future.

“Maryville University: 150+ Years” provides a visual history of our beloved institution. The book features stories, photographs and artifacts gathered from the archives and from interviews with hundreds of alumni, faculty and friends of the University. Its pages hold memories from generations of Maryville Saints who have known and loved Maryville in vivid detail.
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