About Woodbury History - Woodbury University
Source: https://woodbury.edu/about/about-woodbury/history
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
About Woodbury History - Woodbury University
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History
Established in 1884
Educator and entrepreneur F.C. Woodbury established the institution in 1884 as a response to the needs of Los Angeles’ growing business community. Woodbury College (as it was first known) quickly built a reputation for degrees leading to the professions.
From the start, Woodbury believed in gender equity, as its first class was made up nearly equally of males and females. This commitment to diversity was very unusual at the time and remains one of our core principles.
history-image-2
1926
The college is chartered by the State of California to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees.
history-image-4
1931
Woodbury becomes a college of business administration and design establishing the division of professional arts, and instruction begins in several design fields closely tied to business: commercial art, cartooning, interior decorating and fashion illustration.
pop-whitten
1937
Under the presidency of R.H. “Pop” Whitten, Woodbury College moves into a new administration and classroom facility at 1027 Wilshire Blvd. in downtown Los Angeles.
1960s
1961
The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
white type
old classroom
1969
Woodbury changes its charter and adds the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program
1970s
1972
Woodbury becomes a non-profit institute of higher learning.
white type
1970s
1974
Woodbury College becomes Woodbury University under the presidency of Dora Kirby. This begins a transformation into the institution Woodbury is today.
Old Burbank
1985
Woodbury University acquires a 22-acre campus in northern Los Angeles straddling the boundary with Burbank. It is the former home of one of the nation’s oldest convents, Villa Cabrini Academy. The university builds new classrooms and administration buildings over the next two years, prior to moving to the location in 1987.
1984
1994
Woodbury organizes its undergraduate and graduate programs into three schools: the School of Architecture and Design, the School of Business and Management, and the School of Arts and Sciences. Accreditation is received from the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB), following Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) approval three years prior.
San Diego Campus_
1998
The architecture program expands to San Diego.
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Now accepting
Fall 2026
applications!
Students
Academic Calendars
Associated Students
Bookstore
Catalog
Complaint Resolution Process
Health & Wellness
International Students
The Los Angeles Times Library
Making Complex Reservation-LA
Math, Science & Subject Tutoring Center
Merch Store
Canvas
Commencement 2026
Order Transcripts
Parking Permits
Portal
Self-Service
Student Handbook
Student Job Board
Syllabus Library
Woody's Info
Writing Center
Faculty/Staff
Academic Calendars
Bookstore
Catalog
The Los Angeles Times Library
Merch Store
Canvas
Portal
Self-Service
Syllabus Library
Woody's Info
News & Events
Latest News
Upcoming Events
Parents & Families
Frequently Asked Questions
History
Established in 1884
Educator and entrepreneur F.C. Woodbury established the institution in 1884 as a response to the needs of Los Angeles’ growing business community. Woodbury College (as it was first known) quickly built a reputation for degrees leading to the professions.
From the start, Woodbury believed in gender equity, as its first class was made up nearly equally of males and females. This commitment to diversity was very unusual at the time and remains one of our core principles.
history-image-2
1926
The college is chartered by the State of California to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees.
history-image-4
1931
Woodbury becomes a college of business administration and design establishing the division of professional arts, and instruction begins in several design fields closely tied to business: commercial art, cartooning, interior decorating and fashion illustration.
pop-whitten
1937
Under the presidency of R.H. “Pop” Whitten, Woodbury College moves into a new administration and classroom facility at 1027 Wilshire Blvd. in downtown Los Angeles.
1960s
1961
The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
white type
old classroom
1969
Woodbury changes its charter and adds the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program
1970s
1972
Woodbury becomes a non-profit institute of higher learning.
white type
1970s
1974
Woodbury College becomes Woodbury University under the presidency of Dora Kirby. This begins a transformation into the institution Woodbury is today.
Old Burbank
1985
Woodbury University acquires a 22-acre campus in northern Los Angeles straddling the boundary with Burbank. It is the former home of one of the nation’s oldest convents, Villa Cabrini Academy. The university builds new classrooms and administration buildings over the next two years, prior to moving to the location in 1987.
1984
1994
Woodbury organizes its undergraduate and graduate programs into three schools: the School of Architecture and Design, the School of Business and Management, and the School of Arts and Sciences. Accreditation is received from the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB), following Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) approval three years prior.
San Diego Campus_
1998
The architecture program expands to San Diego.
About
About Woodbury
Inclusiveness and Community
Community Outreach and Engagement Committee
Why Woodbury?
Parents and Families
Strategic Direction: Facts and Figures
History
President’s Message
Our Location
News
Accreditations
For Employers
Filming, Conferences, and Events
People
Faculty Directory
Administration
Contact Us
Partners
Careers
Burbank Campus
Campus Map
Campus Tours
Merch Store
Contacts
Now accepting
Fall 2026
applications!