College Timeline Highlights
Check out our Interactive Timeline »Commoner Yearbook Archive »
| 1925 | William Jennings Bryan dies in Dayton five days after the end of the Trial. William Jennings Bryan Memorial University Association founded. |
| 1926 | Governor Austin Peay breaks ground on Matthews Hill. |
| 1927 | Construction begins on the Administration Building. |
| 1929 | The stock market crashes, causing many donors to default on their pledges and construction on the Administration Building stops. |
| 1930 | Despite financial difficulties, William Jennings Bryan University officially opens its doors and classes meet in the former Rhea County High School under the leadership of Dr. George E. Guille. |
| 1931 | Dr. Malcolm Lockhart becomes president of the University after the death of Dr. Guille. |
| 1932 | The University builds the Octagon, and acquires Cedar Hill, a nearby former hospital, to serve as the first dormitories. |
| 1933 | Dr. Judson Rudd takes over the presidency after Dr. Lockhart resigns due to health concerns. Dr. Rudd serves as Acting President until formally elected in 1936. |
| 1934 | Students sign a petition indicating their desire to move to Bryan Hill (formerly Matthews Hill) and continue construction on the Administration Building. The Administration agrees and construction resumes. The students commit to the project by serving as the workforce alongside the construction workers. |
| 1935 | Classes meet for the first time on Bryan Hill. |
| 1952 | The Administration Building is fully enclosed. |
| 1956 | Dr. Theodore Mercer takes over from Dr. Rudd as the President. Dr. Mercer serves as President for 30 years. |
| 1958 | School changes its name to William Jennings Bryan College. |
| 1963 | Annex completed (renamed “Anderson Annex" in 2000) |
| 1964 | H. D. Long and Huston Residence Halls open. |
| 1969 | The college is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. First President’s Home completed. |
| 1970 | Summers Gymnasium is completed. |
| 1972 | Arnold Residence Hall opens. |
| 1976 | Construction on Rudd Memorial Auditorium is completed. |
| 1979 | College enrollment reaches record high of 645. |
| 1982 | Summers South Annex added. |
| 1984 | Woodlee-Ewing Residence Hall completed. |
| 1986 | Having already announced his retirement, Dr. Mercer passes away six days before graduation. Dr. Kenneth G. Hanna (a former Bryan College student) takes over as president. |
| 1989 | Center for Origins Research founded. Swimming Pool opens. |
| 1993 | Dr. Hanna resigns and professor and provost Dr. William E. Brown takes over the presidency. The College shortens its name to Bryan College. |
| 1995 | Soccer Field moved to current site. |
| 2000 | A major fire almost destroys the Administration Building on February 6. The students, faculty and staff again show their commitment to the college by volunteering time to help get the school running again. Classes resume one day after the fire. Latimer Student Center completed. |
| 2001 | New Library opens and Administration Building (renamed Mercer Hall in 2005) rebuilt. Physical Plant facility and second President's Home completed. Loop road around campus replaces road that went through the center of campus. |
| 2002 | Senter Baseball Field moved to current site. |
| 2003 | Dr. Brown resigns to take the presidency of Cedarville University, and Dr. Stephen D. Livesay becomes Bryan’s seventh president. |
| 2004 | Chattanooga campus opens. |
| 2005 | The college dedicates a statue of William Jennings Bryan on the Rhea County Courthouse lawn in recognition of the College's 75th anniversary. The Bryan Institute for Critical Thought and Practice founded. Rankin Communications Center completed. |
| 2006 | Construction of Robinson Hall completed. Bryan’s first online classes begin. Bryan offers first master’s degree program. |
| 2007 | Summers renovated and East and West Annexes added. |
| 2008 | Enrollment in all programs exceeds 1,000 for the first time. |
| 2009 | College assumes governance over Fort Bluff Camp. |
| 2010 | Highway 27 entrance construction completed. Two Townhouses @ Bryan Commons completed. |
| 2011 | Knoxville campus opens. |
| 2012 | Rudd Auditorium renovated. Enrollment in all programs exceeds 1,500. |
