University of North Texas System history

The first building on campus was the Normal Building, completed in 1891 at Hickory and Avenue B, where a fence kept out straying livestock.

1899: Legislation for state college status Legislation is signed to make North Texas Normal College a state college.

UNT System acquires Majestic Lofts, located at 1900 Elm Street in downtown Dallas, next to the UNT System Headquarters building.

The private college reached an important milestone when it became state-funded in 1901.

The first library opened in 1913, the year enrollment broke 1,000 and sports officially began.

1946: First "Jazz Studies" degree established

In 1949, the first permanent Union was dedicated as a memorial to students who had died in the two world wars.

The ’60s began with one of the biggest moments in the history of the college as it became a university in 1961.

1963: First doctoral degrees awarded

With unlimited archival access and a journalist’s attention to detail, James L. Rogers updates and expands his 1965 publication to bring the university’s history into the next century.

The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine accepted its first students in 1970.

1971: A renovated bowling alley on Camp Bowie Boulevard houses classrooms, basic science laboratories and administrative offices.

1974: The first class of 18 graduates receive their Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degrees.

In 1975, TCOM came under the umbrella of North Texas State University, which later evolved into the UNT System that now includes campuses in Denton and Dallas.

1976: Ground is broken for the first permanent building on campus, what is now the Carl E. Everett Education and Administration Building.

1979: The Cowtown Marathon is established, co-sponsored by TCOM’s Institute for Human Fitness.

1982: Medical Education Building 2, now the Research Building, opens providing classrooms, basic science offices and laboratories.

1986: Medical Education Building 3, now the Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library, opens, housing a state-of-the-art library, computing services and biomedical communications.

1988: North Texas State renamed North Texas State University is renamed the University of North Texas.

UNT began a yearlong celebration of its Centennial in 1990, and the 15-foot Eagle statue, “In High Places,” was installed near the Union in honor of the occasion.

Amanda Ryan, who first met her husband in July 1993, says supporting the university and its students always has been a priority for the couple.

She and Ryan, who married in 1996, have long been avid proponents of education, generously donating to various UNT programs throughout the years, while also bolstering organizations such as Helping Hands for Single Moms, which awards scholarships to parents in need.

1997: The Physician Assistant Studies program admits its first students.

1999: The School of Public Health is founded.

2000: UNT announces Norval Pohl as President Board of Regents appoint Doctor Norval Pohl as President of UNT, while Doctor Hurley becomes the UNT System's first full-time Chancellor.

2001: Formal UNT System status takes effect

More than 30,000 students were enrolled by 2002, and science and technology programs multiplied as the College of Engineering and the Discovery Park campus were created.

As a reflection of growth, the UNT System was formalized in 2003 by the 78th Texas Legislature.

2004: Center for BioHealth opens, dedicated primarily to biotechnology and public health.

2009: UNT Dallas becomes stand-alone institution Gov.

2010: The Medical Education and Training Building opens its doors.

2014: UNT Dallas College of Law admits first class

2015: UNT Dallas College of Law files for provisional accreditation

2016: UNT ranked as top-tier research university The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education™ ranks UNT among the nation's 115 top-tier research universities.

2017: UNTD College of Law granted provision accreditation

2018: Interdisciplinary Research and Education Building opens its doors.

UNT Dallas launched its NAIA intercollegiate athletics program in September 2021 with its first-ever cross county meet.