Ultimately, the most comprehensive and authoritative documentation of the history of The Ohio State University is the resources of the University Archives. The University Archives is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm.
United States Senator Justin Morrill of Vermont proposes federal funding for new state universities.
Ohio’s legislature does not accept the terms of the Morrill Act until February 9, 1864.
Cannon Act provides for the creation of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College.
Trustees vote to purchase the Neil Farm as the site of the campus for the new college.
Trustees accept architectural plans for the first classroom building, University Hall, which opened in 1873.
Orton is appointed as the first University President.
Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical college opens its doors on September 17, 1873.
The first dormitory, North Dormitory is in use.
Faculty approves the establishment of the Franklin Baseball Club.
The Department of Mining and Metallurgy is established. It is now a part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
On May 1, 1878, the state legislature officially renamed Ohio A&M as The Ohio State University.
Six men of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College graduated from The Ohio State University on June 19, 1878.
Mary Frank Morrison was the first female graduate of the Ohio State University, receiving a bachelor of science degree.
The Alumni Association is founded when the first graduates return to observe commencement, and hold an organizational meeting.
The Makio, a student yearbook, is first released in 1880.
Scott becomes the University’s second president.
OSU’s student newspaper is first published.
In March 1881, The Lantern calls for students to form group to oversee the then-struggling baseball club and other organized sports.
Ohio Legislature creates the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, to be housed on the OSU campus.
3rd University President
The School of Pharmacy is established at OSU.
First M.A. degree awarded to Annie Ware Sabine of Columbus.
Former U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes becomes a trustee for the Ohio State University.
Football begins as an organized sport at the Ohio State University.
Weed becomes the first student from OSU to recieve a Doctor of Science degree.
Student population surpasses 500 students, reaching 664.
Trustees vote to establish a School of Law, which opened on October 1, 1891, known today as the Moritz College of Law.
Guss is the first known African-American to graduate from the Ohio State University. He received a B.A. in Liberal Arts.
Hayes Hall is completed, named in honor of former U.S. President and trustee Rutherford B. Hayes.
Orton Hall is completed, named in honor of former University President Edward Orton.
James H. Canfield is elected as the fourth University President.
The pond is enlarged to three times its former size, and becomes a popular campus attraction.
Enrollment nearly doubles in just six years, surpassing the 1,000 mark for the first time.
The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan compete for the first time on the football field, with Michigan beating OSU 34-0.
Athletic Board is organized to regulate student athletics.
The Armory, a multi-purpose building resembling a medieval French castle, opens in 1898.
Townshend Hall opens, dedicated to University Professor Norton Townshend.
William Oxley Thompson is elected as the fifth University President.
Trustees name new law building in honor of Henry F. Page, who bequeathed to OSU his estate of more than $200,000.
"Carmen, Ohio" was first sung in public by the University Glee Club.
Graham, founder of 4-H, becomes superintendent of the Agricultural Extension of OSU.
Four students organize the creation of a senior male honorary, Sphinx. Eligibility included scholastic achievements and community involvement.
The College of Education is established. In 2006 it merges with the College of Human Ecology.
Dedication of Ohio Field at North High Street and West Woodruff Avenue.
Oxley Hall was dedicated as the first women's dormitory at OSU.
Construction begins on the Ohio Union, the first student union at a public university.
OSU Alumni Association begins publication of what would become Ohio State Alumni Magazine.
First printed reference to "Oval" as a distinctive place on campus.
The Graduate School begins as an effort to formalize and foster graduate education and research, however graduate degrees were awarded prior.
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