History of Martin University

Significant Events in Our History

  • 1969
    • December 12: Birth of Martin Center, the parent of the Sickle Cell Center and Martin Center College.
  • 1970
    • Martin Center is incorporated.
  • 1974
    • Plans are started in earnest to create Martin Center College.
  • 1977
    • August 9: Letter is received from Indiana Commission for Post-Secondary Education, authorizing Martin Center College to function as a school.
  • 1979
    • Martin Center College is incorporated.
    • Martin Center College is granted accreditation by the State of Indiana.
  • 1980
    • Regional candidacy status for accreditation is granted to Martin Center College by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • 1981
    • March: Martin Center College holds first graduation; first graduate is Mr. James Griffey, who receives a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Accounting.
  • 1987
    • Accreditation is granted by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
    • Martin Center College moves from the College Avenue campus to the Avondale Campus.
  • 1988
    • Lady Elizabeth campus opens at Indiana Women's Prison, offering accredited courses leading to Bachelor's degrees.
  • 1990
    • Martin Center College is approved to offer Master's degrees in Community Psychology and Urban Ministry Studies.
    • Martin Center College changes its name to Martin University.
    • Renowned poet Etheridge Knight is awarded his Bachelor's degree and named Martin University's first poet laureate.
    • The Etheridge Knight House, site of many of the University's community-outreach programs, is dedicated in the poet's honor.
  • 1993
    • Martin University awards its first graduate degrees.
    • The University holds its first winter graduation, beginning a tradition of two graduation ceremonies a year.
  • 1997
    • Martin University celebrates its 20th anniversary with a gala affair.
  • 1999
    • Plans are announced for an Educational Center, the first building ever to be constructed by Martin University.
    • An historic planting is held in August to kick off the Capital Campaign
  • 2000
    • Construction begins on the $10 million Educational Center.
    • More than 1,000 degrees awarded to date by the University
  • 2001
    • Construction is completed on the Educational Center.
    • The Bernice Fraction building is razed to make room for the new Peace Garden.
    • The Educational Center is dedicated on October 13.
    • The 10th annual Frederick Douglass program is offered to the community.
  • 2002
    • The first graduation is held in the Educational Center (January)
    • The 25th anniversary of the University is held the weekend of August 9-11.
  • 2007
    • Martin University celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
    • Founding President Rev. Fr. Boniface Hardin and Founding Vice President Sr. Jane Schilling step aside on December 31. Until his retirement, Fr. Hardin was the oldest African-American in the United States to have founded a university and still be serving as its President.
  • 2008
    • On January 1, Dr. Algeania Freeman is named the Second President of Martin University.