Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ and the City of Appleton were founded together 175 years ago on the banks of the Fox River.   

In 1847, Boston merchant Amos A. Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ pledged $10,000 to endow a school in the Wisconsin Territory. On January 15, 1847, the territory granted a charter to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Institute, a name that was changed to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ when classes first began on November 12, 1849. 

Notably, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ was one of the first co-educational colleges in the country. From the time that preparatory classes began in 1849, both men and women were enrolled.  

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ today is what it has been for much of its history—an undergraduate college of the liberal arts and sciences with a Conservatory of Music. It honors the vision of its founders and builds on the heritage of more than a century and a half of excellence in undergraduate education. 

Blue iron post under tree with words Milwaukee Downer College Founded 1851

Milwaukee-Downer College 

Under the leadership of President Curtis W. Tarr (1963-69), Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ consolidated with Milwaukee-Downer College for Women in 1964. Milwaukee-Downer’s legacy is present on Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s campus to this day with college artifacts like the sun dial on Main Hall and traditions like class colors.

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The Rock on Main Hall Green

Class Colors to Trivia 

From the President’s Handshake and Class Colors to The Rock and the Great Midwest Trivia Contest, we have many traditions that unite Lawrentians across generations.

Discover Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Traditions
Close up of metal LU seal

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Heraldry 

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ's coat of arms, motto, mascot, and school songs expresses core values and provides an invaluable link to the past. 

Learn about our origins
Historic, black and white photo of Institute of Paper Chemistry building

Institute of Paper Chemistry

The Institute of Paper Chemistry, a graduate institute that trains paper chemists, was established in 1929 as a partnership between Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ and the local paper industry. In 1989, the Institute transferred its operations from Appleton to Atlanta, Georgia, where it currently exists as the Renewable Bioproducts Institute at Georgia Tech.

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Learn more about Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ History

You can take a deep dive into the university’s robust history thanks to the many collections housed in our archives. 

Explore Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Archives

Celebrating the 175th Anniversary

In 2022, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ celebrated its 175th anniversary. Explore how Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ commemorated this significant milestone.

Explore the Commemoration