History of UNO

The history of the University of Nebraska Omaha has been a powerful guiding force. Our past fuels our pride and shapes the comprehensive metropolitan university we've become. We were built on a commitment to provide a rigorous, relevant and affordable education that meets the diverse needs of traditional and nontraditional students. UNO has been and always will be driven by the extraordinary connection to and partnership with the city of Omaha.

Since its inception in 1908, the University of Nebraska Omaha has been firmly anchored in the community, forging partnerships with business, education, government, arts and civic organizations. UNO has long set the pace for accessible higher education in Nebraska and continues to offer an academically rigorous experience to a diverse student body.

In 1908, the University of Omaha was founded as a private, coeducational college by the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Omaha. Early founders stated a desire for a learning environment "free from ecclesiastical control." In addition to forging an institution that provided "sound learning and practical education," the intent was for this to be within reach of anyone who sought higher education. Accessibility is a commitment that remains an important part of our mission and vision for the future.

Omaha University

Omaha University – the early years

By 1930, Omaha voters approved taking over control of the University of Omaha—making it the city's first and only municipal university. While over time we became the state's metropolitan university, the symbiotic relationship between the city of Omaha and UNO has never wavered—and in fact has only grown stronger.

Also around this time, as enrollment surpassed capacity, the University moved to 60th and Dodge. It was a location strategically chosen and fought for by administration and students in order to align UNO in the path of the city's projected east-to-west growth. As a result, the city of Omaha has developed around the University, making UNO the true heart of the metropolitan area.

In the 1930s, UNO adopted Adult Education and Continuing Studies programs that were cutting edge and progressive for the time—focusing on access, lifelong learning and educating students for employment. To this day, UNO prides itself on preparing students for careers and narrowing the gap between student life and career life.

Since the University became part of the Nebraska System in 1968, there has been a flurry of growth.

From Mammel Hall—the new 120,000-square-foot home of the College of Business Administration—to the HPER building—one of the premier university recreation centers in the country. We added 832,000 total square feet of facilities, as well as renovated more than half of our academic space in just over five years. We constructed student housing, allowing more students to live on campus and fully experience all that UNO has to offer. We've even taken our history of athletics to the next level and joined the ranks of NCAA Division I sports.

Throughout its development, UNO has been firmly anchored to the community—building strong ties with business, education, government, arts and civic organizations. These relationships run deep. In fact, for seven consecutive years since the inception of a national award, UNO has remained on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its civic engagement. Construction began in 2012 on UNO's new 60,000-square-foot Community Engagement Center, which will support and allow for further expansion of our university-community partnerships.

It is in part thanks to this rich, layered history that Mavericks today know they are a part of a university committed to diversity and inclusion. And the opportunity to create the next chapter continues as the University of Nebraska Omaha addresses the changing needs of the metropolitan area, state, region and world.