University of Redlands

University of Redlands
Name	University of Redlands
Established	1907
Type	Private
Endowment	$200+ million
President	Krista L. Newkirk
Students	4,500+
City	Redlands, California
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban, 160 acres
Colors	Maroon and gray
Nickname	Bulldogs
Affiliations	Annapolis Group, Council of Independent Colleges

University of Redlands. It is a private liberal arts university located in Redlands, California, founded in 1907 by the Southern California Baptist Convention. The institution is known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, a distinctive Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, and a strong commitment to community service. It enrolls over 4,500 students across its traditional residential college and several graduate and professional schools.

History

The university was chartered in 1907 with significant support from the Southern California Baptist Convention and local citrus growers, opening its doors to students in 1909. Early development was guided by its first president, Jasper Newton Field, and the campus was designed by noted architect Myron Hunt. It maintained a formal affiliation with the American Baptist Churches USA until 1972, when it became independently governed. Key historical growth included the post-World War II expansion under President George H. Armacost and the establishment of the School of Education and School of Business in later decades. The university's history is marked by the 1988 founding of its innovative Johnston Center for Integrative Studies.

Academics

The university comprises the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Business, and the School of Music. It offers over 40 undergraduate programs and more than 20 graduate degrees, including a notable Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems. The curriculum emphasizes a liberal arts foundation, with distinctive offerings like the student-designed contract major program at the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies. It holds accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission and its business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The university also operates several off-campus centers, including locations in Riverside, California and Rancho Cucamonga.

Campus

The main 160-acre campus in Redlands, California features a mix of Spanish Colonial Revival and modern buildings, with the iconic Memorial Chapel as a central landmark. Notable facilities include the Armacost Library, the Hunsaker University Center, and the Alfred and Norma Fletcher Jones Computer Center. The campus also houses the Ann Peppers Hall for the fine arts and the Thompson Aquatic Center. The university manages the 1,200-acre University of Redlands Ranch in nearby Oak Glen, California, used for environmental studies. Several historic campus buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Student life

Student life is centered around more than 100 student-led organizations, including academic clubs, cultural groups like the Asian Student Association, and a strong Greek life presence with several National Panhellenic Conference and North American Interfraternity Conference chapters. Traditions include the annual Tommy Hawk competition and the Festival of Lights during the holiday season. The university places a high emphasis on community service and civic engagement, facilitated through the Office of Community Service Learning. Residential life is organized around themed halls and living-learning communities.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Redlands Bulldogs, compete in NCAA Division III as a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. It fields 21 varsity teams, with notable success in sports like men's water polo, women's soccer, and men's tennis, having won multiple SCIAC championships. The Bulldogs' primary facilities include Ted Runner Stadium for football and soccer, the Thompson Aquatic Center, and the Currier Gymnasium. The university also maintains a strong rivalry with nearby Chapman University and University of La Verne.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include former United States Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Thomas L. Friedman of The New York Times; actress and singer Megan Hilty; former Major League Baseball player and manager Sparky Anderson; and former president of Pitzer College, Laura Skandera Trombley. Other distinguished graduates encompass California Supreme Court Associate Justice Martin J. Jenkins, and astronaut James McDivitt, who commanded the Gemini 4 and Apollo 9 missions.

Category:Universities and colleges in California Category:Liberal arts colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1907