A timeline of UI’s past to celebrate UI’s future.
As the University of Idaho celebrates its 125th anniversary, many are looking back at the university’s history and realizing exactly how much has changed since 1889.
Jan. 30, 1889
Idaho territory legislators established the University of Idaho. They recognized the need for higher education in Idaho and chose Moscow because it was one of the richest and most populous agricultural sections in the entire Northwest.
1889
Beta Sigma established themselves as the first sorority at UI. Now they are known as Delta Gamma and still participate in UI activities.
June 9, 1893
UI and Washington State University play their first ever football game. Now a tradition known as the Battle of the Palouse, the Vandals defeated the Cougars in the first game 12-0.
June 11, 1896
The first graduation commencement at UI included four graduates.
1898
Kappa Phi Alpha became the first fraternity on the UI campus. They are now known as Phi Delta Theta.
November 1898
The first edition of The Argonaut hit stands on campus.
Feb. 17, 1904
The Associated Students of the University of Idaho was created. Now, 110 years later, they are still an integral part of Vandal life.
April 9, 1911
Theodore Roosevelt visited UI and planted the first tree in the Presidential Grove.
Spring 1927
Future UI President Jesse E. Buchanan is the first student to earn straight A’s.
Football Season — 1953
A player named Flip Kleffner kicked an 82-yard punt, breaking a world record. The game was against WSU.
1976
The Kibble Dome wins a National Outstanding Structural Engineering Achievement Award.
November 1992
UI is given its own zip code.
Oct. 24, 2002
The Albertson Building is dedicated. It is the first building in UI history to be sponsored exclusively by donations.
March 26 2004
UI students held a protest to stop UI from cutting the fine arts program.
November 2013
Chuck Staben is selected as UI’s 18th president.
Jan. 30, 2014
UI celebrates 125 years as an institution.