Historical Timeline

Sun setting over King Library

Public Ivy, 1970–1996

Cultivating Image

1970

  • David G. Brown (1970–82) appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs

1971

  • Institute for Environmental Sciences, formed 1969, admits first students

1972

  • King Library completed

1973

  • Unbeaten Miami football team defeats University of Florida in Tangerine Bowl
  • McKie Field constructed for baseball
  • Old Manse (1852) acquired (campus ministry, later comparative religion)

1974

  • Miami Mission Statement rewritten to emphasize national aspirations
  • Western College, Oxford's last educational institution for women, closes, merges with Miami and campus acquired Langstroth Cottage (1856), Peabody Hall (1860/1871), Tenney Gateway (1890s), Alumnae Hall (1892), Patterson Place (1898), McKee Hall (1904), Sawyer Gymnasium (1914), Kelley Studio (1916), Clark Gate (c. 1916), Kumler Chapel (1918), Western Bridges (1920s), Ernst Nature Theatre (1922), Western Steam Plant (1924), Mary Lyon Hall (1925), Western Lodge (1926), Presser Hall (1931), Stancote House (1932), Corson House (1930s), Clawson Hall (1946), Boyd Hall (1947), Alexander Dining Hall (1962), Thompson Hall (1963), Hoyt Library (1971)

1975

  • Goggin Ice Arena constructed for hockey and recreational sports

1977

  • Multicultural Center opens in Bishop Hall

1978

  • Women's Studies first available as a certificate-transcript notation
  • Miami Art Museum constructed

1979

  • Phillip R. Shriver teaches first course in history of Miami University
  • Bachelor Hall constructed (English, mathematics and statistics, speech and hearing clinic)
  • "Greening of the Future" Lilly Grant initiates Miami faculty development programs

1981

  • Paul G. Pearson (1981–92) assumes the presidency
  • A new University Honors Program approved by University Senate with Honors Center in Bishop Hall

1982

  • Summer reading program for all entering students inaugurated
  • Marcum Conference Center constructed on site of Fisher Hall, former Oxford Female College

1983

  • Bob Kurz, Class of 1958, publishes Miami of Ohio: The Cradle of Coaches
  • Miami Field Gates relocated to newly constructed Yager Stadium
  • Walter and Marian Boyd Havighurst Hall constructed on Western Campus

1984

  • 175th Anniversary Convocation, Millett Hall

1985

  • Richard Moll's The Public Ivys ranks Miami a "Best Buy" for quality

1985–1990

  • University Liberal Education Review and Reform Project
  • April 6, 1987, "Liberal Education at Miami University: A Statement of Principles" adopted
  • February 27, 1989, "The Miami Plan for Liberal Education" adopted by University Senate
  • January 1, 1990, University Director of Liberal Education, Liberal Education Council named

1986

  • Art Building, Biological Sciences Building (named Pearson Hall 1993) constructed

1987

  • Rita Dove, Class of 1973, awarded Pulitzer Prize for poetry

1989

  • Myrtis Powell, first African American vice president, named vice president, student affairs

1990

  • Number of students living off campus in Oxford surpasses number living on campus
  • Miami Metro bus system established

1993

  • Paul G. Risser (1993–95) assumes the presidency

1994

  • Recreational Sports Center constructed

1995

  • December, Risser resigns to become president, Oregon State University
  • Provost Anne H. Hopkins becomes first woman to assume acting presidency (1995–96)