Here are 7 notable facts from the Catholic university’s history:
1. An important promise. Father Leo Meyer purchased the 125-acre Dewberry Farm, the future site of the school, from John Stuart in 1850. He paid for it with medal of St. Joseph and a promise of $12,000.
2. Name transformation. Over the years, the institution has been known as St. Mary's School, St. Mary's Institute and St. Mary's College. Its name became the University of Dayton in 1920.
3. A safe place. St. Mary's College was a refuge during the Great Flood of 1913. The hilltop institute provided shelter to 800 as the flood overtook homes in lower-lying Dayton. Students had not returned to the campus from Easter break, so the college was fully stocked with provisions.
4. The first bowl game (well, in the bowl). Coach Harry Baujan called the plays in front of 10,000 fans at the first football game held in the new "football bowl" on campus in 1925. Today the stadium is called Baujan Recreational Sports Field and is the home to the Flyer soccer teams (Read more on the stadium's history).
5. A meaningful centerpiece. The iconic dome and cross on the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception is the centerpiece of UD's campus. The top of the cross is 95 feet above the ground. The cross is 7 feet, 4 inches tall from the ball to the top of the cross. The "arms" of the cross extend 4 feet, 6 inches.
6. Joy to the world. Christmas on Campus, an annual holiday event that hosts more than 1,000 children, is believed to be one of the nation's largest single-day on campus community services event (Read more about this unique event).
7. A new era of presidents. Dr. Daniel Curran became the university’s first lay president in 2002. Dr. Eric Spina, who became president in 2016, is the university’s second lay president.
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