Ashford University history

In 1942, 60% of the rural teachers in Clinton County and 62% of the teachers in the city of Clinton school system had received all their training from Mount St Clare College.

In 1950, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools first accredited Mount St Clare College.

In 1967, 37 years after it awarded its first associate degree, Mt.

1979 The college received approval for its first four-year degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration beginning its transformation from a junior college to a baccalaureate institution.

In 1998, the Durgin Educational Center was opened, which included new athletic facilities, including Kehl arena.

In 2003, Mount St Clare College changed its name to The Franciscan University.

2005 The Sisters of St Francis ended their long history of sponsorship of the university in 2005.

The mascot was created in May 2006 by Sarah Bogue, who worked as an employee for Facemakers Inc.

2007 While the residential campus continued to serve on ground students, the Ashford Online Center in Clinton, Iowa opened, making Ashford’s academic programs available to anyone with an Internet connection.

The stock of Ashford's parent company, Bridgepoint Education, fell the most in almost five months when the misuse of federal student aid was first publicly disclosed in 2009.

Although the university was regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, it sought regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 2010.

Bridgepoint Education responded in March 2011 with a report asserting that the information used in the Senate hearing was either inaccurate or incomplete.

In June 2012, WASC denied initial accreditation to Ashford University.

2013 In July, Ashford University became accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). In November, with the alliance formed between Ashford University and Forbes Media, the College of Business and Professional Studies became the Forbes School of Business®.

2016 The Forbes School of Business announced their new name, the Forbes School of Business and Technology®, reflecting the University’s commitment to and incorporation of technology into its academic programs.