University Timeline

1846

Chicago's first Roman Catholic bishop, William Quarter, invites Mother Francis Xavier Warde, R.S.M. and five Sisters of Mercy to Chicago to open a Catholic school. Saint Xavier University takes its name from Sister Francis Xavier Warde's patron saint.

1847

Saint Xavier is chartered by the State of Illinois.

1871

The Chicago Fire ends Saint Xavier's downtown era.

1873

Saint Xavier opens its new campus at 29th and Wabash.

1901

Dedication ceremonies are held at the new Saint Xavier campus on 49th and Cottage Grove

1912

Saint Xavier College for Women receives state certification, becoming the first Catholic women’s college in Chicago.

1915

Saint Xavier College for Women begins offering college classes.

1934

Saint Xavier inaugurates a general education program.

1935

Saint Xavier College establishes the first collegiate nursing program in the state, merging with the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.

1939

Saint Xavier students pose under the arch at 49th and Cottage Grove in 1939.

1944

Saint Xavier students help the Red Cross during World War II.

1948

Saint Xavier begins its Summer Theological Institute of Sisters.

1952

Saint Xavier qualifies for Ford Foundation’s Fund for the Advancement of Education.

1954

Saint Xavier issues the first Saint Xavier Plan for the Liberal Education for the Christian Person.

1955

Saint Xavier College for Women becomes Saint Xavier College , and Saint Xavier Academy becomes Mother McAuley High School.

1956

Saint Xavier opens its new campus on 103rd Street in Chicago.

1957

Residents gather in 1957 in Alumnae Hall, the residence hall on the new 103rd Street campus.

1957

Saint Xavier adopts its present coat of arms.

1960

A Sister of Mercy gives a tennis lesson during a 1960 physical education class.

1962

Saint Xavier receives a $1.5 million challenge grant from the Ford Foundation.

1966

Saint Xavier hosts the John XXIII Theological Symposium with an international roster of prominent theologians and more than 4,000 participants.

1966

A continuing education program is formally initiated for non-traditional age students who wish to begin or continue study toward a degree.

1969

Saint Xavier becomes coeducational.

1970

Three male students of the newly coeducational Saint Xavier College in 1970.

1975

Saint Xavier establishes its Campus Ministry program.

1978

Saint Xavier opens its weekend college.

1978

Nursing students at 1978’s Junior Capping.

1985

The Graham School of Management opens.

1992

Saint Xavier College becomes Saint Xavier University .

1994

Saint Xavier’s School of Nursing with William Gladstone School, opens a pilot community health facility, The Family Nursing Center.

1996

Saint Xavier celebrates its 150th anniversary.

1997

Saint Xavier opens its South Campus in Tinley Park, Illinois.

1999

Saint Xavier University opens the new Convocation and Athletic Center.

2000

The new McDonough Chapel and Mercy Ministry Center opens.

2001

Saint Xavier dedicates a new residence facility, McCarthy Hall.

2002

Saint Xavier completes construction of a second new residence hall -- Morris Hall -- and of the expanded SXU Diner.

2004

Saint Xavier University opens a second campus in Orland Park.