1862–The Morrill Act, or Land Grant Act, provided federal land that states could use to establish universities. It was signed into law by Abraham Lincoln.1871–Arkansas Governor O.A. Hadley signed an act into law creating the Arkansas Industrial University.
1872–Arkansas Industrial University opens its doors with eight students and three faculty members. By the end of the term, however, over 100 students had enrolled. Engineering was taught in the department of mechanical arts.
1875–University Hall (now called Old Main) completed.
1876–The first students graduated from the Arkansas Industrial University.
1888–The first civil engineering degree was awarded.
1891–The first mechanical engineering degree was awarded
1897–The department of mechanical arts was divided into civil, electrical and mechanical engineering departments.
1899–The Arkansas Industrial University changed its name to the University of Arkansas.
1903–A chemical engineering curriculum was established in the department of chemistry.
1904–The first Engineering Hall was constructed at a cost of $25,000
1909–First Engineer’s Day celebrated on the University of Arkansas campus.
1912–The College of Engineering was established.
1912–William Gladson became the first dean of engineering
1920–The Engineering Experiment Station was established by the state legislature to investigate and study engineering problems of general interest to Arkansas.
1922–First edition of the Arkansas Engineer published by engineering students
1927–The present Engineering Hall was completed.
1928–The first master’s degree in engineering was awarded.
1937–George P. Stocker became the second dean of the College of Engineering.
1945–Chemical engineering became a part of the College of Engineering.
1948–The departments of Agricultural Engineering and Industrial Engineering were established.
1948–George F. Branigan became the third dean.
1958–A Doctor of Philosophy degree was approved.
1964–The mechanical engineering department moved into a new building.
1964–The first doctorate in engineering was awarded.
1972–Loren R. Heiple became the fourth dean of the College of Engineering.
1975–The Engineering Extension Center was developed to provide continuing education opportunities to practicing engineers.
1976–A computer science engineering program was initiated within the industrial engineering department.
1979–James E. Halligan became the fifth dean of the College of Engineering
1982–The college took possession of an empty women’s hosiery manufacturing facility that evolved into the ENRC.
1983–Neil M. Schmitt became the sixth dean of the College of Engineering.
1985–Computer science engineering became a separate department
1987–The Bell Engineering Center was formally dedicated.
1989–The department of agricultural engineering became the department of biological and agricultural engineering.
1991–The computer science engineering department name was changed to computer systems engineering.
1996–Otto J. Loewer became the seventh dean of the College of Engineering.
1998–The departments of computer systems engineering and computer science merged, creating the department of computer science and computer engineering.
1999–The Master of Science degree in microelectronics and photonics was established.
2000–The Doctor of Philosophy degree in microelectronics and photonics was established.
2002–The Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation gave the University of Arkansas a $300 million challenge gift.
2003–Ashok Saxena became the eighth dean of the College of Engineering . He is also the first U of A faculty member to hold an endowed chair funded by the Walton gift.
2005–A Master of Science degree in biomedical engineering was approved.
2012–The department of biomedical engineering was established and Bachelor of Science and doctorate degrees in biomedical engineering offered for the first time.
Historic Engineering Hall renamed the John A. White Jr. Engineering Hall, in honor of the former University of Arkansas chancellor.
2012–Terry Martin became interim dean of the College of Engineering.