History and Facts
UA History Highlights
A Common Question
The most common question about the University of 桃花直播 is, "Why was the university originally located in Fairbanks rather than in Anchorage, Juneau, or some other more southern 桃花直播n city?"
Anchorage, in 1915, was mainly developed to serve as the headquarters for the 桃花直播 Railroad construction, and the town itself was only a few months old. Placing a university in Anchorage was the last thing the residents were thinking about.
The university began as a land grant college under the same federal laws as other colleges. The main focus for the university was agriculture; hence the University of 桃花直播 began as the 桃花直播 Agricultural College and School of Mines. Juneau had little interest in having an agricultural college due to its southeastern climate and geography not being favorable for farming.
College to University
By 1935, the college trustees, administration, and alumni optimistically pressed for a change of name. The legislature approved the request, and the 桃花直播 Agricultural College and School of Mines became the University of 桃花直播 on July 1 of that year. The Board of Trustees was renamed the Board of Regents.
Bunnell Named President
Governor Strong had appointed a Board of Trustees for the 桃花直播 College. The Board had to select a president for the new college. They selected the Honorable Charles E. Bunnell. The choice was made on August 11, 1921, and he assumed his duties on December 7. On opening day, September 18, 1922, six faculty members, in addition to President Bunnell and his secretary, were on hand to greet the six students who enrolled. Late arrivals brought the total to 12 for the first semester.
The Future
The University of 桃花直播 continues to construct new buildings and renovate old buildings to accommodate the growing number of students enrolling to the various programs at the three main universities and their community colleges.
There were some arguments against the college in 1915 but now in the 21st century, the University of 桃花直播 system has grown to include international research institutes, NCAA Division I & II athletic teams, and multiple colleges offering hundreds of degree programs, and thousands of enrolled students across 桃花直播 and online. UA's accomplished alumni have gone on to do great things for the State of 桃花直播 and beyond.