Historic Highlights

SUNY College at Oneonta Historic Highlights 1889-2009

Founded in 1889, the College at Oneonta became a charter member of the State University system in 1948.  Today, the College enrolls more than 5,400 students in over 60 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs.  A liberal arts college with a pre-professional focus, the College at Oneonta is known for an outstanding and accessible faculty, students committed to academic achievement and community service, distinguished and dedicated alumni, excellent facilities and technology, and a beautiful campus that includes a new field house and a modern library with an exceptional collection.

1889    Oneonta Normal School is dedicated on September 4 with Dr. James M. Milne as the first principal.
1890 The Alumni Association is established.
1894  Fire completely destroys the Oneonta Normal School on February 15.  Seven months later, the new, larger building opens its doors.
1898    Dr. Percy I. Bugbee is appointed as principal, replacing Dr. Milne
1905 The two-year course for the preparation of elementary school teachers becomes the single curriculum option.
1912   Oneonta is selected as the first normal school in New York State to offer a summer session for teachers.
1922   The three-year training program for teachers begins.
1925 The first Moving-Up Day is held at ONS and the three-year class graduates at the thirty-sixth commencement.
1933 Dr. Percy I. Bugbee retires after 35 years as principal and Dr. Charles W. Hunt succeeds him as president.
  Bugbee School opens.
1938  The Board of Regents approves the four-year curriculum.  The Oneonta Normal School becomes the Oneonta State Teachers College.
1948   The State University of New York is founded, and the College is renamed the State University Teachers College at Oneonta. 
 

The Home Economics Division is created, and the College offers the Masters of Education degree.

1950   The transition to the new campus begins with the dedication and cornerstone laying for the student union-dormitory complex (Morris Hall with the Bacon/Denison wings).
1951 Dr. Hunt retires after 18 years of service. Dr. Royal F. Netzer becomes the fourth president of the College.
 

The college name changes to the State University College of Education

1952  The College acquires a farm three miles north if campus for eventual development as the College Camp
1954    Early secondary and secondary education training programs begin, leading to the master’s degree in these fields.
1961   The campus grows as the College acquires a new name: The State University College at Oneonta.
1962   The College becomes a multi-purpose institution with the addition of the liberal arts division
1964 Cooperstown Graduate Program established.
1967  Beginning with a summer program in Israel, study abroad opportunities expand to include a full-year program in Wurzburg, Germany.
1968 The new campus nears its final configuration with the completion of residence halls, two science buildings, a fine arts building, an administration building, classroom facilities, a health center, and a communications-lecture hall center.
 

The Biological Field Station with access to Otsego Lake is established.

1970 Dr. Royal F. Netzer retires, having served the College over 19 years.
1972  The campus adds two new structures: Hulbert Hall and the Hunt College Union.
1974 A new five-floor library named for first president, James M. Milne, is dedicated.
1975   Old Main closes its doors and in June, the last commencement is held at Percy I. Bugbee School for Children.
1981   Old Main Memorial Pillars are placed on the upper campus.
1982   College at Oneonta Foundation established for the purpose of raising and managing charitable gifts and grants.
1987  Dr. Clifford J. Craven retires.
1988 Dr. Alan B. Donovan is appointed as president of the College.
1989

Centennial year of the College is celebrated through various campus events and publications.

1994  The College launches The Campaign For Oneonta, its first comprehensive fundraising effort, raising $5.9 million over the next five years.
 

The Center for Social Responsibility and Community is established with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

1998  The Templeton Foundation names the College to its National Honor Roll for Character Building Colleges.
1999 Alumni Field House opens and the Athletic Hall of Fame is established.
2001 The College erects a 9/11 memorial to honor the seven alumni lost in the September 11th attacks
2004 Robin Ross Higgins Hall opened in honor of Dr. Lt. Col. Robin Higgins `72, shortly after making the largest alumni donation in the college’s history at that time.
  Arethusa-Sigma Gamma Phi sorority celebrates 110 years of Oneonta tradition.
2005 Oneonta and Hartwick campus activities groups join funds to launch the first annual OH-Fest
2007 The tradition of celebrating Red Day is created to honor the founding of the College
2008 Dr. Alan B. Donovan retires after 20 years of service to campus. To honor Dr. Donovan, the Student Association planned and hosted the World’s Largest Soccer Game.
 

Dr. Nancy Kleniewski is appointed as president of the College.

  Tobey Hall is closed marking the beginning of a substance four year renovation plan
that will affect: Tobey, Wilber, Golding, and Littell.
2009 Discovery of a time capsule in Tobey Hall renovation. More capsules have been found under each of the newly renovated buildings
2010 The Campaign for Science and Technology concludes in December with over $5.1 million in donations.
  Oneonta is named #1 in Alumni Participation for the 9th consecutive year