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150 Years of ÁùºÏ±¦µä history

Celebrating 150 Years

Founded in 1874, ÁùºÏ±¦µä is commemorating the events and people that have shaped its transformative history.

Land acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), and Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands continue to be a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples and we recognize their deep connections to these places. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on their territory.

Celebrate with art

The Great Basin Mural - Honoring Heritage Through Art

Church Fine Arts Mural - Soft Power

The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, 1874-2024
150 Years of Inspiring Excellence

by John Trent

Since opening in October 1874 in Elko, ÁùºÏ±¦µä, the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno has grown into an institution of more than 21,000 students pursuing their academic dreams. The 150th anniversary book is published in honor of this milestone, showcasing why the University has truly been a catalyst for success throughout the state’s history.

Available October 1, 2024

The cover to the book "The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, 1874-2024: 150 Years of Inspiring Excellence" by John Trent. The cover has the title at the top above a sepia-colored version of Morrill Hall as it originally stood in 1886.

Sesquicentennial Celebration Film

Watch the exciting short film about the our journey that elebrates the rich history, achievement, and bright future of the University.

A walk through the University's history

1911 black and white photo that looks north shows the following buildings from left to right: Stewart Hall, Lincoln Hall, Chemistry Building, Mackay School of Mines, Mechanical Building, and the Physics Building. A view of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Quad looking north, showing large trees surrounding the grass of the Quad. Mackay School of Mines is visible in the distance.

Use the slider bar above to compare both images

A more beautiful situation would be hard to find. In all directions the outlook is inspiring. To the west the great eastern flank of the Sierra, heavily wooded with pine and fir, forms the horizon from Peavine to the point where it is intersected by a higher wooded range standing boldly out the east, the Rose Spur of the Sierra. The mountains of this spur are bolder and higher. They...are seen from every part of the Campus and from almost every part of the valley, the great peak of Mount Rose, white with snow for three-quarters of the year rising over everything else.

S.B. Doten, History of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, 1924

1898 graduate and faculty member from 1900 until his retirement in 1946.

Black and white photo from the 1900s of Reno, a collection of wooden buildings, surrounded by trees, with the Sierra Mountain Range visible in the distance.