The University was founded in 1854 as Moores Hill Male and Female Collegiate Institute in the little town of Moores Hill in Dearborn County in southeastern Indiana. The first college building at Moores Hill was completed on December 1, 1856, although the opening day of classes for the new college was held in the building on September 9 of that year. A cornerstone was laid for a second building over 50 years later on June 12, 1907. The new building was dedicated on June 18, 1908, and named "Carnegie Hall" after the chief donor, Andrew Carnegie.

In 1915, a fire destroyed Moore Hall at the college and the college was struggling financially. A reading of the minutes of the board of trustees shows the inevitability of the closing or the need to move the college to a location where there would be more students and for financial support.

On March 21, 1917, Evansville resident George S. Clifford made a presentation at a special session of the Indiana Conference of the Methodist Church proposing to move the college to Evansville, Indiana. Clifford had prepared a map showing that if a circle with a 50-mile radius was drawn around each of the colleges within the state, none touched Evansville. The entire Evansville community was heavily involved in raising funds to get the institution to Evansville and in one week alone, $500,000 was raised. The Ralph Olmsted history book "From Institute to University" says that Evansville Mayor Benjamin Bosse accepted the general chairmanship. More than 400 men, nearly all of them business and professional leaders in the city, and many women were enlisted to work on the teams.

"Nothing was more effective than the coverage given the campaign by The Evansville Courier," according to Olmsted. "Howard Roosa, in 1917 editor of the newspaper, told years later how before Mayor Bosse had agreed to lead the campaign he has said to Roosa, 'Howard, if I take this job, will your spread the red paint?'" ñ meaning , of course, would he give it full support. For nearly two weeks there was little in the paper except news of the campaign. For 10 straight days the banner headline related to the college and on most of those days the only news on page one dealt with the college.

The school, after a successful fundraising campaign, was relocated to Evansville in 1919, and renamed Evansville College. In 1967, after continued growth and organizational changes, the name was changed to the University of Evansville with the approval of the Indiana State Legislature.

Today, the University joins the ranks of Universities celebrating a history of 150 years. Drawing from experience, the sesquicentennial reminds UE of its heritage while the University continues to establish priorities for the future.

Important University of Evansville historical dates:

• Feb. 8, 1810: John C. Moore, founder of Moores Hill College, was born.
• Feb. 10, 1854: Moores Hill Institute was incorporated.
• Feb. 17, 1919: The school was relocated and Evansville College was incorporated.
• Feb. 17, 1967: The University of Evansville was incorporated.

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