1866
The University of Kansas
Mount Oread, the ridge on which KU was built, was visible for miles and was the first major feature seen by pioneers on the Oregon Trail as they crossed the Wakarusa River. With its spreading wing-like hillsides, Mount Oread is the single most distinguishing feature of KU’s landscape. The historic campus forms an urban wall upon the hill, stretching from the open green spaces of Potter Lake and from Dyche Hall to Bailey and the immense Strong Hall. Nestled in hillside trees and punctuated by the spire of the Campanile, KU’s boulevard of buildings forms a city on the encircling ridge.
The University of Kansas, with a charter and three faculty members, opened on September 12, 1866. From modest beginnings, KU is a major center for learning, research, scholarship and creative endeavor in Kansas, the nation, and the world. Over the decades, KU has welcomed those who careers have shaped the University, and in turn the campus has cultivated the ideas and ideals of those who contribute to the broad goals of education, research and service.
Step Sponsored By: The University of Kansas