Coordinates: 40°24′17″N 104°41′48″W / 40.404853°N 104.696741°W / 40.404853; -104.696741
The University of Northern Colorado , often called UNC or Northern Colorado is a coeducational public institution of higher education and research located in Greeley, Colorado, USA. The Greeley campus is the primary campus though a satellite campus exists in Lowry, Denver, USA. Established in 1889 as the State Normal School of Colorado, the University has a strong background in educating teachers. The State Normal School was the third public institution of higher education in Colorado. In 1970 legislation passed that changed the name of the School to the University of Northern Colorado to reflect the institution's expanded roles and academic offerings. The university offers over 100 undergraduate programs in the fields of arts, sciences, humanities, business, human sciences, and education. Undergraduate degrees are typically 4 year programs and degree programs have a strong emphasis in liberal arts education. The university offers more than 100 graduate programs primarily in the field of education. Academic programs are distributed among 5 colleges.
History
The history of The University of Northern Colorado begins in the late 1880, when citizens of the town of Greeley, Colorado petitioned the Colorado Government to create a school for the education of Teachers in their community. In April 1889 Governor Cooper signed a Senate Bill establishing the Colorado State Normal School. Classes began in October of the next year. Since then the institution that is now known as the University of Northern Colorado has been through many changes in focus, architecture, and student ideals.
The University of Northern Colorado opened on October 6, 1890, as the Colorado State Normal School to train qualified teachers for the state's public schools, with a staff of four instructors and 96 students, offering certification after completing a two-year course. Greeley's citizens raised the necessary money for the first building. At that time, certificates were granted upon the completion of a two-year course. In 1911 the school's name was changed to Colorado State Teachers College and offered bachelor degrees after completion of a four-year course. In 1935 the name changed again to Colorado State College of Education to recognize the graduate program, which was started in 1913. In 1957 the name was shortened to Colorado State College to recognize the further growth of programs and offerings. Finally, in 1970 the name was changed to the current University of Northern Colorado .
Originally Colorado State Normal School was built as just one building, Cranford Hall, which was built in three sections. It once stood right in the middle of what is now called Craford Park in the current Central Campus. It was set fire to in 1949 by a disgruntled theater student who was later arrested for this and several other crimes. The building was repaired, and classes were held there until 1965 when the building was deemed unsafe for classroom use. Many offices were held here until December 1971 when the entire structure became too unsafe to use, and in 1972 the building was demolished. The corner stone was saved and now graces the Northeast corner of the memorial park with 4 commemorative plaques regarding Cranford's significance and legacy in UNC's history.
The south end of Central Campus grew with the addition of Gordon Hall, Belford Hall, and Decker Hall in 1921, which were originally built as female residence halls. Around this time, the current President's Row residence halls were built, but then they were used as faculty housing units. They were built concurrently with the current visitors center, which was originally the University President's Residence. Sabin, Snyder, and Tobey-Kendell halls were added in 1936 when enrollment was growing, and men's residence halls were added on the old 'East Campus.' These halls, Hadden and Hayes, are east of Campus on 6th Avenue. They are no longer used as residence halls, and rumor has it they were originally military barracks, and have since been used to house a mental institution. In the 1950s Weibking Hall, Wilson Hall, and a larger dining space were added on to the already existing Tobey-Kendell Hall to accommodate the large influx of students after the war had ended. In 1997 a plan was passed to update the residence halls and add a few new buildings, including Hansen-Willis residence hall on Central Campus.
In the late 50's the school was becoming too big for its small acreage. Colorado State College, as it was called at that time, began to look for more land. Soon the plan became to expand south west, adding a new library facility, residence halls, and many additional classrooms. The two sides of campus were linked by the 'University Center,' which for many years held a bowling alley, suites for visitors, and even a bar. Today it houses student activity offices, the book store, a food court, and many fast food options to choose from. Plus there is a hair salon and a bank on the first floor, and an large fireside lounge area on the second. There are huge ballrooms that hold many campus events from concerts, to presentations, to job fairs.
The two sides of campus, though geographically separated, are not THAT separated in reality. Together they make up one very strong, cohesive campus that is today's University of Northern Colorado.
Traditions
Fight song
On down the field we go to victory
The colors navy blue and gold.
And to our fighting team, we hold our spirit high.
The mighty Bears are we ....... GO BEARS!!
Fight, fight to win each battle fairly,
The only way we e'er shall be,
We shout out the name,
To bring the fame and glory to old U-N-C!!Alma mater
Ah! Well I Remember is the alma mater of the University of Northern Colorado. It was written by J. De Forest Cline. The words Purple and Gold refer to the previous colors of the institution. While the current colors are Navy Blue and Gold the alma mater retained the former colors.
Ah! Well I Remember, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”
Friends met in September, Pledging their Faith to hold.
Gone, Friends of September, Gone dear friends of old.
Time never shall sever, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”
Time never shall sever, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”Campus
The Campus of the University is divided into three main areas: east, central, and west. The University of Northern Colorado's Central Campus includes the section of campus that is north of 20th Street and west of 8th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado. The residence halls on Central Campus constitute a state historic district. Central Campus was the original campus district and contains many other historic structures. UNC's Central Campus was the original part of the campus and currently houses the College of Performing & Visual Arts, Pieces of the College of Natural & Health Science, and the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business. It all has the Howard Skinner Music Library, Tobey-Kendal Dining Hall and 12 residence halls. Central campus is also the home to administration of UNC.
The West Campus includes the section of campus that is south of 20th Street and west of 10th Avenue. Old Man Mountain is a group of cabins owned by the University located in Estes Park, Colorado. The Center for Urban Education in Lowry, Denver, is a satellite campus focused on providing opportunities for working teachers that are unable to travel to Greeley.
Organization
The University of Northern Colorado offers 100 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs. The university has a satellite campus in Denver, Colorado
The Board of Trustees for the University oversees the administration and approves the University's annual budget. Several members of the University's administrative team are ex-oficio members of the Board (for example, the Vice President for Finance & Administration is also the Treasurer to the Board).
Presidents
- Thomas J. Gray 1890-1891
- James H. Hayes. Interim 1891, November 11, 1915-1916
- Zachariah Xenophon Snyder. 1891-1915
- John Grant Crabbe. Late summer 1916-1924
- George Willard Frasier. 1924-1947
- William Robert Ross. 1947-1964 (assumed office December 20, 1947)
- Darrell Holmes. 1964-1971
- Frank P. Lakin. 1969, 1971 Interim President
- Richard R. Bond. 1971-1981
- Charles Manning, Acting President. 1981
- Robert C. Dickeson. 1981-1991
- Richard Davies. 1987 Acting President January 1-August 29, 1987
- Stephen T. Hulbert. 1991 Interim President July 1-September 30, 1991
- Herman Lujan. 1991-1996
- Howard Skinner. Interim President June 1996-June 1998
- Hank Brown. July 1998-June 2002
- Kay Norton. July 2002 -
Current trustees
- Dick Monfort, Chairman
- Ke