Today, the university is among the 2 percent of public universities classified in the Carnegie Foundation's highest research category.;xNLx;Among the top 65 public research universities, the University of Arkansas has more than 200 academic programs, more than 300 student organizations, and an Honors College among the best in the nation.;xNLx;Read about our history and you'll see why we're so optimistic about our future.;xNLx;;xNLx;
The Osage Nation ceded all land east of Fort Clark, including the land that would become home to the University of Arkansas, to the United States.
Congress approves an act – introduced by Justin Smith Morrill – that creates the land-grant university system.
The General Assembly of the Union-occupied part of Arkansas approves an amendment accepting terms of the Morrill Land-Grant Act.
Gov. Isaac Murphy and the state Legislature pass an act to establish an industrial university.
The Arkansas General Assembly approves establishment of a land-grant university and the first state-funded institution of higher education.
The Board of Trustees chooses Fayetteville from among the bids made by Batesville, Prairie Grove and Viney Grove.
Noah Putnam Gates is named the first president of Arkansas Industrial University.
Seven boys and one girl attend the first day of classes at the Arkansas Industrial University, and initial classes are held in a frame building.
The return of a Democratic majority to the Arkansas legislature ends the university's enrollment of students of African American heritage until 1948.
Albert Webb Bishop is appointed the second president of Arkansas Industrial University.
