A Unique Campus History

Modern Era & Sustainability (2000s–Present)

2026: Michael C. Rodriguez appointed chancellor.
2025: University of Minnesota Morris alumnus and Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort gives commencement speech.
2024
- Degree in Three program is launched.
- UMN Morris and Baitursynuly University in Kostanay, Kazakhstan sign a memorandum of understanding that will bring BU students to Morris for classes beginning in 2026.
- Dedication is held for a 500kw PV solar array, largest dairy-serving agrivoltaic field in the Midwest.
- Rebecca Cunningham named University of Minnesota president.
2023
- Janet Schrunk Ericksen is named chancellor.
- The campus creates its first endowed professorship, the Morton Gneiss Professorship in Environmental Sciences.
2022
- UMN Morris and West Central Research and Outreach Center launch the Center for Renewable Energy Storage Technology, or CREST.
- The education building is renamed William B. and Ida B. Stewart Hall.
- Morris Challenge is created to prepare students to create and discover sustainable solutions for the challenges facing rural communities.
2021: Outreach units at the University of Minnesota Morris have been named the Clifford J. Benson Center for Community Partnerships.
2020
- The campus is now fully carbon neutral in electricity because of on-site clean energy systems.
- Groundbreaking was held for a new shared softball facility for the University of Minnesota Morris, Morris Area Schools, and the City of Morris.
2019: Joan Gabel is named president of the University of Minnesota.
2018
- UMN Morris Earns The National Association of College and University Business Officers‘ First Excellence in Sustainability Award.
- Senator Amy Klobuchar gave the commencement address on Saturday, May 12.
2017: Michelle Behr is inaugurated as chancellor.
2016: Consumer advocate and former Green Party candidate for president Ralph Nader gives lecture.
2015: Morris becomes one of the first U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees.
2014
- Morris wins national Second Nature Climate Leadership award.
- The University of Minnesota, Morris has published the first issue of its own undergraduate scholarly journal, Scholarly Horizons.
2013: Green Prairie Community welcomes its first residents.
2012: Chancellor Jacqueline Johnson participates in a field hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
2011
- Composting begins in Dining Services.
- Higbies opens in the Student Center on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.
2010
- The 2010 Celebration begins and the Welcome Center opens.
- The Welcome Center is renovated to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
- In October, the campus was running strictly on renewable energy platforms with no fossil fuels being burned.
- Eric Kaler named the 16th president of the University of Minnesota.
2009: Inaugural Jooinn Lee Lecturer given.
2008: Biomass gasification facility was dedicated.
2007: Chancellor Jacqueline Johnson is an American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment charter signatory.
2006
- Morris establishes exchange programs with Chinese universities.
- Jacqueline Johnson becomes chancellor.
2005: The West Central Research and Outreach Center wind turbine begins providing energy to the Morris campus.
2004: The campus receives $180,000 from the Getty Grant Program to develop a historic preservation plan for the campus.
2003: The National Register of Historic Places names the campus to the registry as West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station Historic District.
2003: Ed and Patty LaFave gift their home to the Morris campus.
2000: The Pride of the Prairie local foods initiative begins on campus.

Campus Life, Traditions & Transition (1980s–1990s)

1999
- Barber Lecture established by Laird Barber, professor emeritus of English, and the late Dorothy Barber.
- After 39 years, semesters replace quarters.
1998–2006: Sam Schuman serves as chancellor.
1998: Campus receives funding for new science building and Regional Fitness Center.
1995
- Residence halls wired for cable television, telephone, and Internet access.
- Gateway Program begins.
- Center for Small Towns established.
1994: UMM Retirees Association chartered.
1991: E-Quality established.
1990–1998: Dave Johnson serves as chancellor.
1990: Legislative funding received for the Student Center renovation.
1988: Student newspaper, known since 1975 as The Writer, changes name to The University Register.
1987: After a 20-year absence, caps and gowns are encouraged for Commencement.
1986: The first Driggs Lecture is held, honoring Professor of History Truman Driggs.
1985: Buddy DeGier organizes Alumni Jazz Band.
1981: UMM celebrates its 21st birthday, to the hilt.
1980: First Flatlands music festival.

Founding of Morris Campus & Early Growth (1950s–1970s)

1974: Ray Lammers, professor of theatre arts, inaugurates the spring children's theatre program.
1973: Humanities and Fine Arts earns Ralph Rapson & Associates a national design award.
1973: Bill Stewart becomes the first Minority Student Program director.
1972: KUMM goes on the air.
1971: Computing Services is established.
1970: Pine Hall becomes the first coed dorm; Independence Hall is completed.
1969–1990: Jack Imholte, professor of history, serves as Morris’s second chief administrator.
1964: First UMM class graduates.
1964: WCSA principal Herb Croom becomes UMM Alumni and Placement Office director.
1963: The West Central School of Agriculture closes.
November 1960: The "Morris experiment" is questioned, and students rally to show their support.
September 26, 1960: The doors open with Rodney Briggs as the first chief administrator.
1959: The University of Minnesota Board of Regents establishes the University of Minnesota, Morris.

West Central School of Agriculture Era

Late 1950s / Early 1960s: The entire Morris community supported the new college, including the Boy Scouts who held a fundraiser.
Late 1950s: When the University announced that agricultural schools would be phased out, a grassroots citizens movement, the West Central Educational Development Association, convinced the Minnesota Legislature to establish a public liberal arts college at Morris.
1910–1963: More than 7,000 students graduate from the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station.
Post–World War II: Research was conducted on the use of Willys Jeeps for agricultural purposes at the Experiment Station.
Undated (post-1910): Station Day drew families to campus from throughout the region for a day of learning and socializing.
1910: The University of Minnesota opens the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station on the Morris campus.

Early History & Boarding School Era

1909: The United States Government transfers the Morris campus to the state of Minnesota, and the American Indian boarding school closes.
1897: The United States Government begins running the American Indian boarding school in Morris.
1887: The Sisters of Mercy American Indian boarding school opens in Morris.

A Unique Campus History

Modern Era & Sustainability (2000s–Present)

Campus Life, Traditions & Transition (1980s–1990s)

Founding of Morris Campus & Early Growth (1950s–1970s)

West Central School of Agriculture Era

Early History & Boarding School Era

University of Minnesota Morris

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A Unique Campus History

Modern Era & Sustainability (2000s–Present)

Campus Life, Traditions & Transition (1980s–1990s)

Founding of Morris Campus & Early Growth (1950s–1970s)

West Central School of Agriculture Era

Early History & Boarding School Era

University of Minnesota Morris

Contact

Connect With Us

Visit

Emergencies

Find

System Campuses

Support UMN Morris