Our History

Our History
Our History
We got our start as the college on the hill in York, Nebraska. Over the past century,
our campus has grown and expanded. Now, as a university, we continue to pursue educational
excellence and transformation through faith.
A History of York University
1890: The Beginning
In 1890 the United Brethren Church in conjunction with York citizens conceived the
idea of  a church-related college.  On August 26, 1890, York College welcomed it's
first class of students. In 1946, a merger with the Evangelical Church resulted in
control of the college passing to the newly-formed Evangelical United Brethren (EUB)
Church.
United Brethren Presidents of York College, 1890-1956
1890-1894
Rev. J. George
1894-1897
W. S. Reese
1897-1913
Rev. W. E. Schell
1913-1919
Rev. M. O. McLaughlin
1919-1921
Dr. H. U. Roop
1921-1924
Dr. W. O. Jones
1924-1928
Rev. E. W. Emery
1928-1938
Rev. J. R. Overmiller
1938-1947
Dr. D. E. Weidler
1947-1953
Dr. Walter E. Bachman
1953-1956
Dr. A. V. Howland
1951: Tragedy Strikes
Old Main, the largest building on campus, burned, leaving among its ashes the dreams
of the United Brethren. The fire began in an upper portion of the building’s west
side, perhaps due to some faulty wiring. The January 3rd fire occurred on a freezing
night, and firefighters were plagued by low water pressure.
School administrators decided to continue classes, despite the loss of classrooms
and the chemistry lab, within one day of the fire. But for all the brave faces, the
loss of Old Main proved fatal for the Evangelical United Brethren college in York.
The college remained open through the academic year and continued for three more years
before in 1954, the EUB finally closed its doors in York and moved everything to its
Westmar, Iowa, campus.
An agreement had existed from the school's beginning that control of the school would
pass to the City of York should the governing body ever decide to close the college.
Because of this, the city took control of the property and the corporate structure.
1954: Out of the Ashes
Three Nebraska Church of Christ ministers—Hershel Dyer, Donald Michael, and Dale Larsen—began
dreaming and discussing the possibilities of the church taking over the abandoned
campus. The first step which led to the reopening of York College was a phone call
placed by Larsen (left) and Dyer (right) upon their arrival in York on May 18, 1954.
After several meetings with York banker E.A. Levitt, a new board of trustees was selected
and by May of 1956, YC was revived as a Church of Christ-affiliated college. Harvey
Childress became president.
Read Dale Larsen's 1966 dissertation:
A History of York College
1956: New Administration
The new administration reopened York College in fall 1956 as a senior college with
89 students. After two years, the administration recommended that YC focus on associate
degree programs, cease offering the baccalaureate program, and work toward accreditation
with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). In 1970, NCA awarded
accreditation to York College, the first junior college in Nebraska to receive that
distinction.
Presidents of York University 1955-Present Day
1955-1957 Harvey A. Childress
1957-1960 Gene Hancock, Jr.
1960-1978 Dr. Dale R. Larsen
1978-1987 Dr. Gary R. Bartholomew
1987-1991 Dr. Don Gardner
1991-1995 Dr. Larry Roberts
1995-1996 Dr. Garrett E. Baker
1996-2009 Dr. R. Wayne Baker
2009-2020 Dr. Steve Eckman
2020-2024 Dr. Samuel Smith
2024-2025 Jared A. Stark (interim)
2025-Present Dr. Timothy P. Westbroook
1994: Continued Growth
In 1988, York College began the transition to senior college status with the strong
support of both the York community and church constituencies. In the same year the
North Central Association granted its approval for the college to award the Bachelor
of Arts Degree with majors in Biblical Studies and Religious Studies. Approval of
other programs in several branches of the arts, science, business, education and pre-professional
pursuits soon followed. The college gained accreditation as a senior college in 1994.
York's most recent reaffirmation
accreditation
visit took place in February 2014. The college is accredited by the
Higher Learning Commission.
Campus Expansion
The school's physical property has seen steady expansion with a series of projects
involving new construction or major renovation since the late 1990s. The university
has grown from only four major buildings in 1956, to a campus of 18 major facilities
on 50 acres that serve the needs of a growing student body. A park-like atmosphere
bordered by a neighborhood of century-old houses and brick streets provides a classic
collegiate setting.
Continued Growth
Major financial stability and growth were provided during the presidency of Dr. Steve
Eckman, the 20th president of York College, who began his tenure in 2009.
To expand the reach of YC throughout the world, online graduate studies were launched
in 2010. Several buildings were added to campus all while the college's permanent
funds tripled and enrollment set new records.
2014: Beyond 125
To celebrate 125 years of service, York College launched the Beyond 125 campaign in
2014 with the goal of raising $10.7 million for scholarships, campus improvements,
and programs. The college saw the highest involvement from alumni, as 33.9% made a
gift. The goal was eclipsed and the total amount raised was $16.8 million, making
the Beyond 125 campaign the most successful fundraising effort in the history of the
college.  The campaign included the construction of the Bartholomew Performing Arts
Center, Touchton Baseball Clubhouse, and the creation of the Clayton Museum of Ancient
History. Dollars raised for student scholarships and endowment exceeded $9.5 million
during the campaign. Long term debt decreased by over $1 million while the college’s
endowment grew to $14 million, the largest amount in its history.
2019: Major Makeover
The largest renovation project in university history transformed the oldest building
original to campus, Hulitt Hall. Thanks to a $3 million gift provided to kick-start
the project, the structure that had fallen into disrepair, was transformed into a
focal point on campus.
Hulitt Hall now houses administrative offices, several conference rooms, an executive
board room and a classroom.
2022: A New Name, Same Mission
The York College Board of Trustees voted and approved on January 15, 2021, to adopt
the name York University.
The transition was announced September 23, 2021, by Dr. Sam Smith ’95 during his inauguration
as the institution’s 21st president. It was decided that "University" better describes
York's profile as a comprehensive higher education institution offering undergraduate
and graduate programs. Recent record enrollments, tripling of the permanent endowment
over the past decade, and ongoing fundraising successes provided the right momentum
and time to make the transition. The transition is undergirded by a recently
launched $15.9 million fundraising campaign,
To Honor and To Serve
The name change also honors the late Dr. Dale Larsen, York College's fourteenth president,
whose vision for the school led to his tireless efforts to re-open the shuttered institution
in 1956. In his last comments to the campus, delivered by a recorded message during
the 2009 homecoming chapel, he said, “And we believe that in years to come instead
of calling them (our alumni) former York College students we might even call them
former York University students.” While Dr. Larsen’s words were always carefully measured,
his dream for the institution was bold and irrepressible.
Panther Athletics
York University has a long tradition of collegiate competition and is home to 18 Panther
Athletic teams. In recent years, the university has been consistently recognized by
the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (
NAIA
) for its commitment to a program that builds character in the context of competition.
The remarkable success of Panther student-athletes through the years is a tribute
to the teams, coaches.
The York University Panthers have competed in the
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC)
since 2015.
Panther Athletics
York University Now:
The university's 7,500 alumni reside in every U.S. state and several countries. Recent
fall enrollments average around 650 students with 450 studying on campus and 200 enrolled
in online classes. Current students attending York University represent thirty-five
states and twenty countries. As has been the case from its founding, the continuing
focus of the university is to transform lives through Christ-centered education and
prepare each student for a life of service to God, family and society.