1875
Shenandoah High School opens in Dayton, Va., with the Rev. D. P. Funkhouser as proprietor and Professor J. Newton Fries as principal.

1876
School is renamed Shenandoah Seminary and chartered; Virginia Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ began sending an annual visiting committee to monitor its progress.

1884
The Conference votes to purchase Shenandoah Seminary from its private owners and re-chartered it as Shenandoah Institute.

1886-1893
Shenandoah Institute experiences rapid growth in facilities, programs and student body. The addition of James H. Ruebush to the staff stimulated the growth of a strong music tradition.

1902
Shenandoah is renamed Shenandoah Collegiate Institute and School of Music.

1909
James H. Ruebush, previously head of the music department, becomes head of the institution and given the title general manager instead of principal.

1915
The Virginia State Board of Education fully accredits the high school department, which ceases operation in 1937.

1924
The certification of a junior college curriculum paves the way for a change in name from Collegiate Institute to College in 1925.

1937
The board of trustees authorizes the separate incorporation of Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in order that it might offer four-year degrees in music and music education.

1944
Conservatory of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

1946
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ becomes part of the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church, and a study group recommends closing Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music because of its financial instability.

1953-54
Discussions between James R. Wilkins and Shenandoah’s President Troy Brady pave the way for the relocation of the institution to Winchester in 1960 with approval of both the General Conference and the Virginia Annual Conference of the EUB church.

1956
Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce launches Shenandoah College Building Fund Drive. Dr. Forrest S. Racey becomes president of Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and oversees the move to Winchester.

1958
Ground is broken for the new campus.

1960
The board of trustees purchases 12 acres of land for future expansion.

1968
The EUB Church participates in United Methodist merger and Shenandoah finds new support for expansion.

1969
Dr. Robert P. Parker takes over as president and continues the development of the Winchester campus.

Shingleton Health and Physical Education Building opens.

1974
The college and conservatory become a single institution - Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music - with four divisions that are the beginning of the Conservatory, the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Health Professions and the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business.

1978
Ground is broken for Goodson Chapel/Recital Hall.

The first graduate programs are put in place for master of music education and master of business administration.

1981
The first graduate degrees are awarded.

1982
The board of trustees selects James A. Davis as Shenandoah’s 15th president.

Shenandoah now offers 11 undergraduate programs and two graduate programs.

1983
The official inauguration for President Davis is held on April 9. Special guests include former Shenandoah presidents Wade S. Miller, Troy R. Brady, Forrest S. Racey and outgoing president Robert Parker. Davis immediately begins the most spectacular growth period in Shenandoah’s history.

Shenandoah acquires the John Kerr Building in downtown Winchester for just $10 and then begins an $850,000 restoration project to save the c. 1883 structure. The building serves as the new home for the Allied Health program and the Gallagher Community Arts Center.

The business school is named the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business to honor Senator Byrd, who is also a distinguished professor in the school.

Shenandoah purchases an additional 18 acres of land east of I-81.

Gore Hall, a 60-bed residence hall, is constructed and opened.

Construction begins to enlarge the dining hall.

Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, the only professional musical theatre in the Shenandoah Valley, opens its inaugural season with “Shenandoah.”

1985
The cafeteria is enlarged and renamed the Joseph & Evelyn Allen Dining Hall.

1987
The successful $10 million Campaign for Shenandoah concludes well ahead of its schedule.

Dorothy Ewing Studio of Dance is constructed thanks to donations from Ms. Ewing and her friend Mary K. Aulick.

School of Nursing is renamed the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing.

Ground is broken for Mary M. Henkel Hall.

1988
Mary H. Henkel Hall - home to the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business — is constructed.

Enrollment hits 1,000 students for first time.

1989
Shenandoah begins program planning for a master’s program in Physical Therapy.

1990
Shenandoah opens a Northern Virginia Campus facility in Leesburg, offering degree and non-degree programs for adult students.

Wilkins Building is expanded; new addition on north end houses offices for admissions, financial aid, business and the president.

1991
Shenandoah College and Conservatory becomes Shenandoah University on Jan. 1.

Shenandoah moves from the Eastern States Athletic Conference to the Dixie Conference (now USA South Conference). The university becomes associates in the conference in 1992 and full-time in 1993.

McCormick Civil War Institute and the Blue Ridge Institute for Environmental Studies are formed.

Construction begins on Harry Aikens Field behind Parker Hall, requiring tons of fill dirt.

Shenandoah adds programs in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

1992
Alson H. Smith Jr. Library constructed and dedicated in September.

The Durell Institute of Monetary Science begins operations in the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business. (Durell Institute is later located in the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library)

Shenandoah University registers its Internet domain name, www.su.edu.

University’s Physical Therapy program is accredited.

Athletics adds men’s lacrosse; the team plays its first game in 1993.

1993
Shenandoah buys the C&P Telephone substation building on Millwood Avenue and uses it as the conservatory’s costume shop.

University admits the first students into its Occupational Therapy program. First class of Physical Therapy students graduate.

The Lin Rong-San Institute for Journalism is formed.

1994
The Durrell Foundation awards the university’s Durell Institute of Monetary Science a $4 million 10-year grant.

The Center for Organizational Excellence is formed.

Shenandoah University’s newspaper - The SUN - is established and begins weekly publication.

Athletics adds women’s lacrosse; the team plays its first game in 1995.

1995
SU is approved to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Education degrees.

SU adds program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Athletics adds cross country for men and women.

1996
The Health Professions Building, leased by Shenandoah, opens on the campus of the Winchester Medical Center. It is home to SU’s nursing, respiratory care and pharmacy programs.

Shenandoah admits its first class of Doctor of Pharmacy students - 63 in all.

Construction begins on new building and theatre for Shenandoah Conservatory.

Working out of space in Handley High School, WCT cable television debuts on Feb. 14. WCT is a partnership between Shenandoah University, the City of Winchester and the Winchester Public Schools

The Chaplain’s Office organizes the first Spring Break Mission Trip.

1997
James L. Bowman Building on the Loudoun Street Mall is dedicated and houses Development Office and Continuing Education.

The John O. Marsh Institute for Government and Public Policy is founded.

Shenandoah announces new Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education programs.

1998
The Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre is dedicated as the hub for vocal music programs and the theatre program, which was launched under the director of Herald “Hal” Herman in 1973.

The School of Pharmacy at the site of the Winchester Medical Center is re-named the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in honor of Dr. Dunn’s father: Dr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Dunn gave Shenandoah its largest single gift in its history, $10 million.

Enrollment surpasses 2,000 students for the first time ever.

1999
Shenandoah University purchases the former Baymont Inn motel for use as the University Inn residence hall.

Shenandoah’s Northern Virginia Campus, which began with business classes in the 1990 and expanded into other graduate-level areas, moves into the old hospital building in Leesburg.

2000
Ground is broken for a football field and field house to house a vastly expanded athletic program.

Shenandoah University dedicates its new Television Center south of campus and unveils Winchester Community Radio.

Shenandoah adds football to its roster of intercollegiate teams. The Hornets finished their opening football season 4-6, ranking them number one among the four new NCAA Division III football programs.

The university breaks ground in Loudoun County for its new Northern Virginia Campus, underscoring the university’s commitment to the region.

The university begins to clear the land for its football stadium and dedicates its Aikens Athletic Center.

Shenandoah announces a new graduate course, the Doctorate of Education in Administrative Leadership.

2001
Shenandoah begins recruiting for two new doctoral programs in the School of Health Professions: Athletic Training and Physician Assistant.

Shenandoah announces a $750,000 naming-rights agreement with Edinburgh, Va.-based Shenandoah Telecommunications Company, assuring the facility is named Shentel Stadium for ten years. The Hornets win their first home football game on Sept. 15.

Shenandoah University receives a $1.106 million Congressional grant to educate teachers to utilized technology in the classroom.

Shenandoah debuts two new graduate programs in health professions: Athletic Training and Physician Assistant Studies.

Northern Virginia Campus dedicates its new facility on Route 7 east of Leesburg. The campus delivers programs for adults in business, nursing, teacher education and technology.

Continuing Education established the College for Lifelong Learning, a cultural enrichment center where adults can take courses and keep learning and growing throughout their lives.

Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons is named the new dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

Shenandoah launches the Willa Cather Institute to support the development of academic programs for students, public lectures and discussions devoted to Cather’s work and lifelong interests for teachers of literature and allied fields.

Emergency telephones are installed across main campus, completing the President’ Seven-Point Safety Plan, which was drafted in 2000.

2002
“The Peacemakers,” a sculpture located at the main entrance to campus, is re-dedicated in late March. Two new plaques — one in English and one in Russian — are unveiled.

The U.S. Department of Education releases two grants totaling $400,000 to the university.

Continuing Education becomes the School of Continuing Education.

Shenandoah welcomes first class in new Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Shenandoah acquires the Fairfax-Cameron Building on Cameron Street in downtown Winchester, a press box is added to the Shentel Stadium facility.

The Wilkins Administration Building gets a new brick façade.

The five original residence halls - Racey, Cooley, Parker, Gore and Funkhouser - are retrofitted with sprinkler systems.

2003
School of Arts & Sciences is renamed the College of Arts & Sciences.

Students, faculty and staff build the first Youth United Habitat for Humanity House on campus. Construction is completed weeks ahead of schedule despite an unusually cold and snowy winter. The house is dedicated on April 11 and moved to its permanent foundation in Winchester.

The History and Tourism Center at Shenandoah University (The Knowledge Point) celebrates its opening in April at its Fairfax-Cameron Building in downtown Winchester.

The Division of Nursing offers the Psychiatric Mental Health certificate.

Shenandoah receives a $150,000 grant from the trustees of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation to establish a Mathematics Learning Center at the university for pre- and in-service high school teachers.

Shenandoah University receives an anonymous $400,000 gift for music scholarships.

Shenandoah University receives a $250,000 grant from the executors of the estate of Paul Mellon to extend arts education to elementary and secondary level students in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties.

The College of Arts & Sciences offers a Women’s/Gender Studies Program in the fall semester.

SU adopts a newly revised General Education plan required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT) celebrates 20 years of musical theatre.

University buys the Millwood Avenue Fire & Rescue Squad building. When the rescue company moves to its new facility, Shenandoah will construct a new building for the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business.

2004
Both Physician Assistant Studies and the Doctor of Administrative Leadership programs graduated their first classes.

James Wilkins Jr. and friends establish the Harold Herman Chair in Music Theatre to honor retiring Distinguished Professor of Theatre Harold Herman.

The Faculty Development Committee launches “Creative Scholarship Day,” giving faculty and students an opportunity to share their research, talent and scholarly work.

Both the Physician Assistant Studies program and the Doctor of Education in Administrative Leadership program graduate their first classes.

Shenandoah’s enrollment hits 3,000 for the first time.

Shenandoah announces its unique Global Citizenship Project (GCP), which sends 60 members of the campus community to destinations around the world over spring break - all expenses paid by the university. Individuals write essays stating why they would like to travel abroad, a committee selects the best, and then announce travel destinations.

2005
Construction renovations began on the Wilkins Administration Building to install a new heating and air condition system and to upgrade administrative office space.

Over spring break, the first Global Citizenship Project participants head to Taiwan, Mali, India, Costa Rica and the Netherlands.

Construction renovations begin on the Wilkins Administration Building to install new heating and air condition systems and upgrade administrative office space.

Shenandoah University and The George Washington University collaborate to launch unique program in pharmacogenomics, the study of how genetics affect a body’s response to prescription medications.

Shenandoah breaks ground for the History and Tourism Center, a history, tourism and scholarly research facility located near Abrams Delight Museum on South Pleasant Valley Avenue.

Broadlands Regional Medical Center of Loudoun County gives Shenandoah $100,000 to benefit the university’s nursing program and underwrite the salary of a full-time nursing professor at the university’s Northern Virginia Campus in Leesburg.

Rev. Ray W. Chamberlain becomes SU’s first bishop-in-residence and SU trustee William Brandt became the first executive-in-residence in the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business. The two gentlemen joined the ranks of two other scholars-in-residence, Robert Shafer, artist-in-residence, and Ambassador Jaime de Ojeda, ambassador-in-residence.

Shenandoah graduates its first doctoral class in Physical Therapy.

In the fall, Shenandoah University approves its new mission statement, which includes six core values that provide a foundation for the decisions it makes and the programs it offers.

2006
The Institute for Church Professions is formed to cultivate and nurture new leaders for the church, and the Institute for Entrepreneurship is formed to encourage young entrepreneurs.

The university breaks ground for a 273-space parking garage (which opened in August), a new business school facility, an end-zone building at Shentel Stadium, a new student center, an expanded Television Center and a pedestrian bridge over Abrams Creek on main campus.

The Edwards Residential Village - formerly the Quality Inn - is dedicated. The new 158-bed residence hall is named in honor of H. Robert Edwards and his wife Betty for their many years of service and support of Shenandoah University.

The Kathryn Perry Werner End-Zone Building is dedicated at Shentel Stadium.

Shenandoah’s athletic department adds men’s and women’s track and field.

The Romine Living Center - formerly the Holiday Inn Executive Center -is dedicated. The new 48-bed residence hall is named in honor of former trustee George L. Romine.

The university now owns almost 125 acres - considerably more than the 45 acres when Dr. Davis arrived in 1982.

2007
The Vickers Communication Center - an expanded television center on Millwood Avenue - is dedicated. The facility is home to both WCT (Shenandoah’s cable television station) and TV3 Winchester (an ABC affiliate).

Shenandoah University earns initial AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International accreditation for its business program.

The Dayton Bridge, funded in large part by alumni from Shenandoah’s Dayton, Va., era, is dedicated on main campus. The bridge spans Abrams Creek between Smith Library and Ruebush Hall.

School of Continuing Education becomes School of Education and Human Development.

President Davis announces he will retire June 30, 2008, after 26 years at Shenandoah University, and the board of trustees announces its selection for his successor. Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons, Shenandoah’s current senior vice president & vice president for academic affairs, becomes the university’s 16th president and first female president on July 1, 2008.

2008
Halpin-Harrison Hall, the new home of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business opens on Jan. 14 at the start of the spring semester. An official opening event is held on March 28.

The Shenandoah University History & Tourism Center opens on Jan. 14 at the start of the spring semester. On May 6, the building is officially named Davis Hall, in honor of President James A. Davis.

Dr. Davis forms the President’s Sustainability Council, which will oversee campus issues related to climate change and address ways the university can reduce its carbon footprint.

Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre celebrates 25 years of musical theatre.

Dr. Fitzsimmons becomes Shenandoah University’s 16th president on July 1. Her official inauguration is set for Sept. 25 and 26, 2008.

The Shenandoah Hornets now field 16 intercollegiate sports teams: baseball, softball, football, field hockey, golf, volleyball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s tack & field, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s lacrosse.

The university has more than 3,300 enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Shenandoah now offers 41 undergraduate degree programs, 24 master’s programs, nine doctoral level programs and 16 post-graduate programs.