The University of Utah turns 172
Feb 28, 2022, 11:10 AM | Updated: 11:38 am
(Marriott Library Archive)
SALT LAKE CITY—The University of Utah celebrates its founding day Monday with 172 years since its founding as Deseret University on Feb, 28, 1850.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes! 172 feels great.
Happy #FoundersDay! pic.twitter.com/401GruV5K3
— University of Utah (@UUtah) February 28, 2022
After settlers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Utah, a Board of Regents was organized by Brigham Young to establish a university. Their early efforts resulted in Deseret University.
Deseret University received its current name of the University of Utah four years before Utah achieved statehood in 1892. By 1894, Congress deeded 60 acres of land from Fort Douglas for the University. It was moved to its position now on the edge of Salt Lake City in 1900.
Since then, the U has become a Top-Tier 1 research university, added both a medical school and a law school, and become the second largest public university in the state, (after Utah Valley University.)
The U joined the Pac-12 on July, 1, 2011 increasing opportunities within collegiate athletics.
The U has not announced anything specific to commemorate Founder’s Day, but has their annual Giving Day each year in May.