University of Northern Colorado

From Normal School to University

The history of The University of Northern Colorado begins in the late 1880s, when citizens of Greeley petitioned the Colorado government to create a school to educate teachers in their community. In April 1889 Governor Cooper signed a bill establishing the Colorado State Normal School. Classes began in October of the next year.

The university 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. Greeley's citizens raised the money for the first building.

In 1911 the school's name was changed to Colorado State Teachers College and two years later, in 1913, graduate courses were added to the school’s curriculum, leading to a name change in 1935, when the school became the Colorado State College of Education.

The school continues to grow, and in 1957 the name was shortened to Colorado State College to reflect the wider range of programs and degrees. Finally, in 1970 the name was changed to the current University of Northern Colorado.

Teaching in its DNA

Dr. Zachariah Xenophon Snyder arrived at the fledgling university in 1891. He studied and implemented the principles of American philosopher and psychologist John Dewey by advancing the ideals of a "child-centered education." He established Colorado’s first kindergarten, and Laura Tefft, from the famous Foebel-Pestalozzo Kindergarten School in Berlin, organized the innovative school. An early photograph shows young children playing on a playground located on campus. While playgrounds are now an everyday sight at primary schools, they were considered an innovation at the time. One of the Normal School’s first master’s theses explored the national playground movement.

Historic Challenges

In 1913, President Snyder established a graduate school at CSCE. After his death in 1915, President John Grant Crabbe saw the university through World War I and the Spanish influenza epidemic. He met financial challenges by contracting with the War Department to initiate the Student Army Training Corps (SATC), housing and educating active service men. Influenza fears fueled a call for closures of universities, but Crabbe kept classes in session while the school was quarantined, keeping student from traveling home and almost certain risk of exposure. No lives were lost on campus. He remained at the university until his death in 1924 at the age of 58.

Scholars Who Teach

George W. Frasier was the university’s president from 1924 to 1948. The Graduate School was created in 1930.

Frasier emphasized teachers who are also scholars, which is still a hallmark of the university. "…faculty members were not only expected to make professional contributions but were to concentrate on their teaching responsibilities as well; everyone taught classes, including Frasier, his administrative staff, and the chairs of the departments."

During World War II, the university operated an army air force clerical training school for more than 4,000 men. Frasier consulted for the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the college conducted a cattle-feeding operation to provide meat for students and Air Force trainees.

In 1942, as Japanese Americans were imprisoned at the Granada Relocation Center in Lamar, Colorado (part of the US’s controversial policy of relocating some 110,000 Japanese Americans) the university offered interns the opportunity to earn student teaching credit.

From Teachers to Bears

It was during President Frasier’s tenure that students adopted the university mascot—a bear—as a replacement to the previous mascot name, the "Teachers."

Expanding Beyond Teaching

The university’s origins as an educator of educators has remained integral to its success, but the university’s offerings expanded. During the mid-1960s, the school ranked eighth in the number of graduate degrees in education conferred. The School of Nursing was established during President William Ross’s tenure, as was an Air Force ROTC program designed to attract more male students. The School of Business was created in 1968. One-fifth of students majored in business, nursing or a liberal arts or non-education area.

A New Name

In 1970, Colorado State College became the University of Northern Colorado. The university’s library was named for UNC alum and former teacher James A. Michener, 1948 Pulitzer Prize winner.

A Century and Beyond

In the early 1980s, the university focused growth on four areas: teacher education, business, music and the nursing and health professions.

In 1986, UNC’s Vocal Jazz I group became the first college vocal group to receive a Grammy nomination. School of Music faculty have been nominated for five Grammy awards, and have won four.

In 1992, UNC inaugurated its ninth president and first Hispanic president, Herman Luján. During his tenure, the campus landscape changed with new construction, including a new campus recreation center, Nottingham Field, and the renovation of Gunter Hall.

In 2002, Kay Norton became the 12th president and the first woman to serve in the position. She leads UNC in developing innovate and organizational strategies, emphasizing the need for the university to take charge of its future in the face of regulatory, financial and social changes.

In 2014, UNC celebrated its 125th birthday.

Academic profile

By enrollment, The University of Northern Colorado is the fifth largest university in Colorado. It had a fall 2015 enrollment of 9,394 undergraduate students and 2,542 graduate students for a total of 11,936 students. In that year most of the students came from Colorado but the student population represents all 50 states, three territories and 37 countries. The student population is 63% female and 37% male. 23% of students identified themselves as "minorities." Typically, 96% of undergraduates are employed or attending graduate school one year after graduating from the university.

At a Glance

106 undergraduate programs

120 graduate programs

60 percent of courses have fewer than 30 students

Nearly 36 percent of undergraduates are first in their family to attend college.

77 percent of UNC undergraduate students are employed or attending graduate school one year after graduating, and 87 percent of graduate students are employed or furthering graduate education one year after graduating.

In 2014, UNC undergraduates came from 47 states and 34 countries; graduate students came from 49 states and 21 countries.

Top Majors by Enrollment:

In August 2003, President Kay Norton began a planning and reorganization process to guide the university. One of the outcomes of that process was to re-organize the university into five colleges of approximately equal size in addition to the University College. University College has programs for freshmen and transfer students before they declare a major. Within each college are several schools that administer the academic programs.

University Rankings, Awards and Recognition

UNC is one of 240 U.S. colleges and universities receiving Community Engagement Classification from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Accreditation and Certification

UNC holds membership to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities, the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, Project 30 Alliance, the Western Association of Graduate Schools, the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, Colorado Thirty Group and other educational organizations.

Departments and Programs

College Facts, Rankings and Awards

Institutions and Centers

Accreditations

Departments and Programs

College Facts, Rankings and Awards

Departments and Programs

College Facts, Rankings and Awards

Institutes

Schools and Programs

College Facts, Rankings and Awards

Departments

Programs, Institutes and Centers

College Facts, Rankings and Awards

Campus

The campus is divided into two main areas: central, and west. UNC's Central Campus includes the areas north of 20th Street and west of 8th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado. The residence halls on Central Campus have been designated a state historic district. UNC's Central Campus was the original part of the campus and currently houses the College of Performing & Visual Arts, schools in the College of Natural & Health Science, and the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business. Central has a quieter, more traditional "collegiate" feeling. Historically, UNC's annual convocation ceremony begins in Cranford Park located on Central Campus. Upon conclusion of the ceremony, the marching band leads attendees to Turned Green on West Campus for Taste of UNC and Bear Fest.

West Campus includes the areas south of 20th Street and west of 10th Avenue, including the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Education & Behavioral Sciences, and schools in the College of Natural & Health Sciences. West Campus houses 2,000 students and is generally the more social area of campus.

Other locations

The university operates satellite centers in Loveland, Colorado, Denver, Colorado, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Denver campus hosts two programs of note - the Center for Urban Education (focuses on providing opportunities for working teachers), and the DO-IT Center (ASL-English interpreter training).

Old Man Mountain is a group of cabins owned by the university located in Estes Park, Colorado, and serves as a common retreat location for the community.

Points of interest

Hi Bridge: Located between Gunter and Gray Hall, this bridge was a gift from the 1940 senior class. The bridge established the tradition that any who crossed the bridge, friend or stranger, were to greet each other with a cordial “Hi”. [.]

Norton Theater: This is a black box “theatre in the round” which generally consists of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, with black walls, and a flat floor with seating around the stage. Many of the Theatre Department’s productions are performed here. Norton Theatre is also used each summer by the Little Theatre of the Rockies, the School of Theatre Arts and Dances professional summer stock program.

Garden Theater: The Garden Theatre is an open stage located on Central Campus and hosts many events throughout the year, including concerts and ceremonies. During the summer, the College of Performing and Visual Arts holds their annual concerts Under the Stars there, and UNC’s award-winning jazz program sometimes holds impromptu performances here.

Northern Vision sculpture: This 12-foot high bronze sculpture of a towering bear, located just outside the University Center, was donated by Loveland, Colorado artist Dawn Weimer. A beloved landmark, this bear has appeared in many photos with UNC students since its installment in April, 2004.

Stonehinge: North of Gunter Hall, there are a series of benches—in the shapes of hinges—arranged in a circle. The artwork was installed in 1999. Created by artist Barry Rose, the installation is titled “A Place in Time.” The piece explores the passage of time; short term time as the shadow of the central 10’ bronze hingepin moves across the face of the 45-foot diameter informal sundial; long term time in the allusion to Stonehenge (hence, stonehinge) an ancient cosmic timepiece.”

Gunter Bells: Gunter Hall, built in 1917, is home to the university’s college of Natural and Health Sciences. Generations of UNC students—since at least 1928—walked campus to the sound of the Westminster chimes that rang from the campus landmark. When the bells were silenced in 1986 due to age and mechanical difficulties, a heartfelt grassroots campaign called “Bucks for Bells” brought $1 contributions from students, faculty, alumni and community members. The bells rang out again October 17, 1987 and have continued – from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. – to chime every quarter-hour since.

Gunter photo gallery and uniforms: Within Gunter Hall you’ll find artifacts and photographs that reflect the building’s former use as UNC’s athletic building. The building housed two gymnasiums and a pool. When the building was refurbished and renovated, center court of the old gymnasium was left intact and visible to students passing by on the way to classes.

The Oldest Tree: A silver maple tree, planted south of Lujan Hall in the 1890s, is the oldest and largest tree on campus. Designated a Tree Campus USA, UNC’s 250-acre campus boasts approximately 3,700 trees, and features three one-hour, self-guided tree tours.

President Ross’s Sculpture: In the lobby of Ross Hall, on West Campus, you’ll see the bronze bust of UNC’s fifth president, William R. Ross. Born on a ranch near Fort Collins, Colorado, Ross served from 1948 to 1964. Students passing the bronze sculpture give President Ross’s head a rub for good luck on finals.

Permaculture Garden: Located outside Ross Hall (which houses the sustainable studies program), this demonstration garden is funded by the Student “LEAF” (Leadership for Environmental Action Fund) organization. It includes greenhouses, keyhole gardens, a spiral herb garden, espaliered fruit trees, and vegetable gardens.

Disc Golf: Located on West Campus, this public 9-hole course begins near Butler-Hancock and finishes near Candelaria Hall. Course maps and score cards are available at the Campus Recreation Center, and discs (drivers and putters) are available to rent there as well. This par 27 course was designed by a UNC student and modified by the Recreation Center and is managed by UNC Facilities Management; the baskets were donated by the city of Greeley, which also has three city-managed disc golf courses.

Mural in Candelaria: Candelaria Hall, which is the primary home of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was built in 1973 and named after UNC Spanish Professor Martin Candelaria. A special feature of Candelaria Hall is the mural painted by Colorado artist and teacher, Leo Tanguma, and 19 UNC students. Encircling the north stairway, the mural depicts the life and times of Dr. Candelaria.

Totem Teddy Display: In 1914, the university received a totem pole from alumnus Andrew Thompson. Beloved by students and given the name “Totem Teddy,” the top of the Alaskan Totem featured a carved bear, which led to the university’s Bear mascot. The totem pole was repatriated to its home with the Tlingit tribe of Angoon, Alaska in 2004. The totem’s story and journey is chronicled in a display on the top floor of the University Center in the Fireside Lounge and available online.

Michener Library

Michener Library was named after Pulitzer-prize winning novelist James A. Michener, who attended Colorado State College of Education, now the University of Northern Colorado, from 1936 to 1937. He was a Social Science educator at the Training School and at the College from 1936 to 1941. Michener Library's collections include approximately 1.5 million items in monograph, periodical, government document, audio-visual and microform formats. The Library also houses the James A. Michener Special Collection.

Skinner Music Library

The Howard M. Skinner Music Library specializes in curricular support of the School of Music and Musical Theatre Programs but is open to everyone. Here you’ll find more than 100,000 scores, books, periodicals, and recordings, housed in a state-of-the-art facility that opened in October 1997. In 2005, the building was named for Dr. Howard M. Skinner, former Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts, in honor of his many years of dedication to UNC and to the Greeley music community.

Digital UNC

This digital online repository service offered by the University Libraries captures, stores, organizes, indexes, preserves, and provides access to University of Northern Colorado information resources and intellectual output. It brings together selected digital materials from across campus to create a cohesive and sustainable repository of the educational, scholarly, research, and historical assets of the University.

Herbarium

GREE (shortened from "Greeley") is the standard acronym for the UNC Herbarium, which currently has about 35,000 specimens, about 10,000 of which are backlogged (not mounted and filed). Over the past eight years GREE has been the fastest growing herbarium in the region on a percentage basis, having increased its holdings by over 300 percent. Estimated specimens by geographical origin include: Southern Rockies, 75 percent; High Plains, 5 percent; North America at large, 15 percent; world at large, 5 percent. Our facilities currently provide storage capacity for about 65,000 specimens.

Southern Rocky Mountain Reference Collection (SRMRC)

The SRMRC is a separate collection of one or two specimens (flower and fruit) of each taxon of vascular plant known to occur in the Southern Rocky Mountain region. The SRMRC is also used to provide a source of specimens for educational demonstrations to school classes, civic groups, and other interested visitors. The collection currently has over 2,200 taxa and is expanding continuously.

Mariani Gallery

Created in 1972 to show a variety of art exhibits. Located in Guggenheim Hall, Room 100.

Oak Room Gallery

Focuses on undergraduate and graduate student work. Located in Crabbe Hall, Room 201.

The Lydia Ruyle Room of Women’s Art

This is a collection of 48 original works by 40 artists, including Mary Cassatt, Bridget Riley, Louise Nevelson, and Kathe Kollwitz. Located in Guggenheim Hall.

Mari Michener Art Gallery

Located in Michener Library, this gallery hosts shows by locally and nationally known artists and often displays the work of alumni, faculty, and staff of the University.

Organization

The Board of Trustees for the university oversees the administration and approves the university annual budget. Several members of the University's administrative team are ex officio members of the Board (for example, the Vice President for Finance & Administration is also the Treasurer to the Board).

Presidents

Current trustees

Traditional sororities

Traditional fraternities

Multicultural sororities

Multicultural fraternities

Cultural centers

Student housing

The university has 17 student residence halls; 12 on Central Campus and five on West Campus. Additionally, the University offers student housing on East Campus through the University Apartments (formerly known as Student Family Apartments), and the Arlington Park Apartments located roughly one block east of West Campus and three blocks south of Central Campus. These alternative housing options offer students a more "apartment-style" of living.

When choosing on-campus housing, options include same-gender communities for males and females, co-educational communities, and co-educational rooms. Room options include traditional suite-style rooms to fully furnished on-campus apartments.

The "living & learning communities" at UNC include floors for elementary education majors, performing and visual arts majors, quiet lifestyles, GLBTA, leadership focused and healthy-living/wellness in certain dormitories.

Radio station

UNC Student Radio (UNCSR) broadcasts 24/7 on the internet at http://www.uncradio.com. The station generally plays pre-programmed rock/pop during the day, with live, student-hosted shows in the afternoons and evenings during the school year.

The station, first chartered in 1995 and which is almost entirely student-run, operates from the basement of Davis House and streams to all the UNC dormitories via cable TV channel 3.

Newspaper

Founded in February 1919, The Mirror is the student-operated newspaper. It is published every Monday during the fall and spring semesters, and operates a website at www.uncmirror.com. It is not published during school breaks (spring break, winter break, national holidays, etc.). The publication is funded by student fees as well as advertising for local businesses. The newspaper operates out of its own building on 16th Street, one-half block from campus, and employs an average of 80 students a year.

Athletics

Sports teams at the school are called Bears. Northern Colorado joined the Big Sky Conference on July 1, 2006. The school mascot is Klawz the Bear and the school colors are navy blue and gold. The Fight Song is the "UNC Fight Song". Northern Colorado's Athletic Director is Darren Dunn.

The Bears play their football games at Nottingham Field, while the men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team play at the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion. "Fear The Claw" is the student section slogan. Northern Colorado won its first Big Sky Championship in 2009 when the women's volleyball team beat Portland State to capture the Big Sky Volleyball Championship.

The Bears have many athletes in the pros. The best known is probably Vincent Jackson, who attended and played football at Northern Colorado from 2001 to 2004 before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft. Other famous football alumni for the school are: punter Dirk Johnson, safety Reed Doughty who plays for the Washington Redskins, defensive lineman Aaron Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and over 10 others.

Before upgrading to NCAA Division I in 2006, UNC was a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference from 1923 to 1972. Joining the Great Plains Athletic Conference for four years (1972–76). Following several years of being conference independent, the university joined the North Central Conference. The Bears have won two Division II Football National Championships in 1996 and 1997. On March 9, 2011 the Bears won the Big Sky Conference tournament championship in men's basketball, clinching a trip to the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, the first in the school's history. The Northern Colorado men's baseball program also ranks among the top 15 schools for most all-time NCAA College World Series appearances, tied with the University of Oklahoma at 10 appearances apiece. The Northern Colorado women's softball team appeared in the first eleven Women's College World Series ever held in 1969–1979, advancing to but losing the title game in 1974.

Mascots

The bear became UNC's mascot in 1923. Before the school adopted the bear, athletes used the nickname the Teachers. The bear was said to be inspired by a bear on top of an Alaskan totem pole donated by an 1897 alumnus in 1914. The totem pole was kept in the University Center, but under the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, the pole was reclaimed by the Tlingit in 2003.

Klawz is the mascot that attends all the sports games. Klawz is the newest addition to the long line of Bears' mascots over the years at the university. Klawz made his first appearance in Nottingham Field on August 30, 2003 before the UNC football team opened their season against New Mexico Highlands

Notable alumni