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Timeline

Take a tour on our timeline and get acquainted with the highlights of A&S and University history. You'll see A&S has been the launchpad for faculty, students and alumni who have helped create a world that is healthier, more hopeful and more humane. Thank you for being part of our story.

Images courtesy of Syracuse University Archives, Special Collections Research Center.

1870

Charter

SU Metal Seal

The Board of Trustees of Syracuse University signs the University's charter and certificate of incorporation.

1871

The College of Liberal Arts Founded

Myers Block in downtown Syracuse, New York.

The College of Liberal Arts (renamed the College of Arts and Sciences in 1970) is founded. More than 40 students enroll in the College, occupying a rental property in downtown Syracuse, on the Myers Block (pictured) of Montgomery Street. The curriculum includes courses in algebra, geometry, Latin, Greek, history, physiology, education and rhetoric.

1873

Hall of Languages Constructed

Hall of Languages early photo.

The University erects its first building: the $136,000 Hall of Languages.

1874

B.F.A.

Seven Fine Arts students sitting on the Hall of Language steps.

Syracuse launches the nation’s first bachelor of fine arts program.

1878

First Dean

John Raymond French portrait.

John Raymond French, professor of mathematics, is the College’s first dean. He becomes the University’s vice chancellor.

1879

First Doctoral Dissertation

Lucien Underwood portrait.

Syracuse accepts its first doctoral dissertation from one Lucien M. Underwood—a geology student who joins the biology faculty and oversees the Museum of Natural History collections.

1887

Holden Observatory

Holden Observatory being moved on a flatbed truck.

Holden Observatory, the second building on campus, opens to the public. More than a century later, the 320-ton limestone structure relocates to its current site near Crouse College, traveling at a rate of three inches per hour.

1889

Leopold von Ranke Library

Interior of the Ranke library.

Syracuse establishes the Leopold von Ranke Library, which becomes the nucleus of the Special Collections Research Center. Von Ranke (1795-1886) was a German historian and historiographer who shaped the modern approach to history, emphasizing such things as reliance on primary sources. In 1907, his collection of more than 20,000 books, manuscripts and personal papers move from Tolley Hall to the Carnegie Building.

1891

Biology and Geology Department Established

The first classes in biology at Syracuse University were taught as early as 1873 by Alexander Winchell in the Department of Geology, Zoology and Botany. Biology classes were taught in departments that changed over time.

1895

Department of Biology Formed

Over the years, classes in biology were held in different locations. Early classes in biology were held in the Hall of Languages until Lyman Hall was finished and came into use in 1907.

1897

New Dean

Albert Leonard, an English pedagogy professor, is appointed dean.

1900

New Dean

Frank Smalley ’74, G’76, G’91, H’24, an instructor of chemistry, becomes dean. He holds other appointments on campus, including acting chancellor, vice chancellor, alumni president and historian.

1905

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library circa 1910.

Industrialist Andrew Carnegie donates $150,000 to the University to create an eponymous library, one of dozens he funds nationwide. Based in the Carnegie Building, the Carnegie Library houses texts in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, astronomy, pure and applied mathematics, probability and statistics, and mathematics education. The library shares the building with the Department of Mathematics.

1909

Bowne and Lyman Halls Open

Bowne Hall, named for trustee Samuel W. Bowne, is erected to house teaching and research in the biological sciences, chemistry, geography and psychology. Lyman Hall—supported by a bequest from trustee John Lyman in memory of his two daughters—also opens. The fourth floor contains the Museum of Natural History.

1916

New Dean

Henry Allen Peck ’85, G’88, an instructor of mathematics and astronomy, is appointed dean. He also directs Holden Observatory, and becomes vice chancellor of the University.

1918

Students Army Training Corps (SATC)

Student Army training corps in front of the Hall of Languages, 1918.

On the heels of the U.S. entry into World War I, the University establishes the Students Army Training Corps (SATC), the forerunner of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). SATC members take courses in auto mechanics, telegraphy, carpentry, surveying, foreign languages and government.

1921

New Dean

William Henry Metzler, professor of mathematics, is appointed dean. He also serves as dean of the Graduate School.

1923

New Dean

William L. Bray becomes acting dean of the College. Professor and chair of botany, he also oversees the Graduate School.

1924

Maxwell School Established

Construction of the Maxwell School.

The University establishes the Maxwell School, a professional graduate school that becomes a leader in public administration and international affairs. The school was eventually housed in Maxwell Hall, which opened in 1937. Social science undergraduates continue earning degrees from the College of Liberal Arts.

1926

Acting Dean Named

William Pratt Graham ’93, an electrical engineering professor, is named acting dean of the College. He becomes the first Syracuse alumnus and non-clergy elected chancellor.

1929

New Dean

Karl Clayton “K.C.” Leebrick, who specializes in history and political science, is named dean.

1937

Lyman Hall Fire

A fire in Lyman Hall in 1937 destroyed the Museum of Natural History.

A fire in Lyman Hall claims the Museum of Natural History, which was located on the fourth floor.

1938

New Dean

Finla G. Crawford, professor of political science and future vice chancellor, becomes dean.

1941

Serving in World War II

Cadets in a classroom.

More than 18,000 students, faculty, and alumni serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. Those affiliated with the College include Tuskegee Airmen Wilmeth Sidat-Singh ’37 and Hilliard Pouncey G’58.

1947

Department of Fine Arts Established

William Flemming reading a book.

Noted concert pianist William C. Fleming establishes the Department of Fine Arts, renamed the Department of Art and Music Histories (AMH) in 2009. He authors the landmark book “Arts and Ideas” (Wadsworth Publishing, 1955), which catalyzed the interdisciplinary humanities movement.

1950

New Dean

Eric H. Faigle ’28, G’30, H’68, professor of geography, is elected dean. He later becomes dean of the School of Speech and Dramatic Art and vice president of the University.

1959

Florence Program Opens

Aerial view of Florence, Italy.

The Syracuse in Italy Program opens doors in Florence, paving the way for what is now Syracuse University Abroad, a longtime partner of the College of Arts and Sciences.

1963

Biological Research Building Opens

Syracuse erects the Biological Research Building, the first air-conditioned, climate-controlled research structure on campus.

1964

Signature M.F.A. Programs Launched

Statue of Michelangelo's David.

The College launches the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing and the M.A. in Renaissance Art—the latter of which is the only accredited art history program of its kind to offer most of its coursework in Italy.

1967

Physics Building Opens

Syracuse erects the Physics Building, with the National Science Foundation helping fund construction.

1968

New Dean

Frederic J. Kramer, professor of German and acting dean of the Graduate School, becomes dean of the College.

1970

College of Liberal Arts Renamed

The College of Liberal Arts is renamed the College of Arts and Sciences.

1970

New Dean

John Prucha, professor and chair of geology, briefly serves as dean of A&S, before becoming vice chancellor.

1971

Department of African American Studies Established

A peaceful demonstration by more than a hundred African American students leads to the founding of the Department of African American Studies (1971), the Martin Luther King Jr. Library (1971) and the Community Folk Arts Center (CFAC) (1972).

1972

Heroy, CFAC and Gebbie Clinic Open

Heroy Geology Laboratory with its globe lit.

Syracuse erects the Heroy Geology Laboratory and Gebbie Speech-Language-Hearing Clinics, the latter of which moves to South Campus in 2013. The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC), founded by the late Herbert T. Williams, professor in the Department of African American Studies, showcases artists of the African Diaspora.

1972

Acting Dean Named

Nathan Ginsburg, professor and chair of physics, is the acting dean of the College.

1973

New Dean

Kenneth P. Goodrich, professor of psychology, is dean of the College.

1979

Hall of Languages Reopens

Archival image of Hall of Languages.

The Hall of Languages re-opens after a $4 million renovation.

1979

New Dean

Gershon Vincow, professor of chemistry and future vice chancellor, becomes permanent dean of the College after 11 months as acting dean.

1985

Interim Dean

Ronald Cavanagh, professor and chair of religion, is interim dean of the College. He later becomes vice president of undergraduate studies at Syracuse.

1986

First Rhodes Scholar

Elliott Portnoy reading, while barefoot.

Elliott Portnoy '86, a political science major in A&S and Maxwell, is accepted to Oxford as Syracuse’s first Rhodes Scholar.

1986

New Dean

Samuel Gorovitz becomes dean of the College. His Syracuse career includes other appointments, such as professor of philosophy and founding director of The Renée Crown University Honors Program.

1989

Center for Science and Technology Opens

Syracuse erects the Science and Technology Center, housing several academic departments and units, including chemistry.

1993

New Dean

Robert G. Jensen, professor and chair of geography in A&S and Maxwell, becomes dean of the College.

2001

New Dean

Cathryn R. Newton, then Heroy Professor and chair of Earth sciences, is named dean. Co-founder of the University’s Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program, the future Provost’s Faculty Fellow oversees the construction of the Life Sciences Complex and renovation of the Tolley Humanities Building.

2006

CFAC Reopens and CNY Humanities Corridor Forms

Interior of the Community Folk Art Center.

The newly renovated CFAC and Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center reopen in downtown Syracuse as part of the Connective Corridor.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awards Syracuse a $1 million grant to form the Central New York Humanities Corridor, a large-scale, interdisciplinary partnership with Cornell University and the University of Rochester.

2007

Tolley Humanities Building Reopens

Following a two-year, $8 million face-lift, the Tolley Building reopens. It houses the Syracuse University Humanities Center, the Central New York Humanities Corridor and other campus-wide initiatives in the humanities and humanistic social sciences.

2008

Life Sciences Complex Opens

Life Science Complex exterior.

The University’s largest academic construction project, the $107 million, 200,000-square-foot Life Sciences Complex, officially opens. For the first time in Syracuse history, the departments of Biology and Chemistry are under one roof, along with interdisciplinary programs in the natural sciences.

2008

New Dean

George M. Langford becomes dean of the College. Following his tenure, he returns to the faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience, professor of biology and staunch advocate of Inclusive Excellence (IE) education.

2010

First Marshall Scholar

John Giammatteo '11, a dual major in anthropology (A&S and Maxwell) and magazine journalism (Newhouse), is Syracuse’s first Marshall Scholar, supporting graduate study in the United Kingdom.

2011

La Casita Cultural Center Opens

La Casita Cultural Center window sign.

La Casita, a home for Latinx culture, heritage and art, opens its doors in Syracuse's Near Westside neighborhood.

2014

New Dean

Karin Ruhlandt serves as dean of A&S until 2022. She also holds the title of Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, the only female on campus to receive such an honor in the sciences. Ruhlandt's many accomplishments include increased funding for undergraduate research, improved opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students and faculty and an integrated advising paradigm.

2015

Gravitational Waves Detected

Artist rendering of neutron star merger

Syracuse physicists make history with their role in the detection of gravitational waves, confirming a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915 theory of general relativity.

The College unveils the newly renovated Patricia Meyers Druger Astronomy Learning Center at Holden Observatory.

2017

First Mitchell Scholar

Cameron MacPherson ’17, a graduate student in Pan African studies, is Syracuse’s first Mitchell Scholar, supporting his study of intercultural theology at Trinity College in Dublin.

The College continues to play a key role in Nobel Prize-winning gravitational-wave research. One such detection, caused by the collision of two massive neutron stars, confirms the origins of Earth’s most precious metals, including gold.

2018

CNY Humanities Corridor Endowed in Perpetuity

Syracuse, Cornell and the University of Rochester endow the Central New York Humanities Corridor in perpetuity, thanks to a matching gift from the Mellon Foundation. The large-scale initiative now encompasses the New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium.

2021

Commencement 2021

Two students outside of Hendricks Chapel with their caps, gowns and masks

Despite the ongoing COVID pandemic, the Class of 2021 is celebrated both virtually and in-person.

2021

Looking Back, Looking Forward

150th desktop wallpaper shows a Celebrating 150 Years banner.

A&S celebrates 150 years of making the world healthier, more hopeful and more human.

2022

A&S Receives Record Five CAREER Awards

National Science Foundation logo

Five different A&S professors are awarded five-year CAREER grants to support their innovative research and educational outreach.

2022

Interim Dean

Lois Agnew portrait.

Lois Agnew, professor of writing studies, rhetoric, and composition, is named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She served as Associate Dean for Curriculum Innovation and Pedagogy previously.

2022

Center for Global Indigenous Cultures and Environmental Justice

Thanks to a $1.5 million Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant, the Center for Global Indigenous Cultures and Environmental Justice opens. Through research and student engagement opportunities, the center aims to strengthen Indigenous studies at Syracuse University.

2023

Hall of Languages Turns 150

The iconic Hall of Languages, dedicated on May 8, 1873 by Edmund S. James, Bishop of the New York Conference, celebrates its 150th anniversary.

2023

New Dean

Behzad Mortazavi portrait.

Behzad Mortazavi is named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Previously, Mortazavi was at the University of Alabama where he chaired the Department of Biological Sciences and was a professor of biogeochemistry.

2023

Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy and Astrophysics opens, providing a hub for students and faculty at the University to play a principal role in the design and operation of gravitational-wave observatories.