University of Indianapolis

The University of Indianapolis is a private university situated on a 50-acre campus just outside of downtown Indianapolis. UIndy was founded in 1902 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. By agreeing to help a local real estate developer sell home sites in the area, the church was offered eight acres of land southeast of the city for the construction of a new college building.

The University of Indianapolis has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1968, following the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist Churches.

The university opened its doors in 1905 as Indiana Central University, with eight departments specialising in liberal arts, teaching, music, oratory, commerce, Bible studies, arts and an academy for high school diplomas. The university was founded as a coeducational institution open to all races.

By 1927, the College of Liberal Arts had absorbed many of the departments and the academy was closed. Although the university gained official accreditation in 1947, the institution continued to be known as Indiana Central College from 1921 to 1975.

Today, UIndy offers 100 undergraduate degree programme, 32 master’s degree programmes and five doctoral programmes. The university is particularly well known for its undergraduate degree programmes in communication, health sciences and teacher education. The university also has two Centers of Excellence in Aging and Community Studies and Leadership in Learning.

In 2014, the University of Indianapolis announced a $50 million, five-year investment plan for the university. This strategy includes the construction of a new four storey Health Sciences Center and a renovation of the Krannert Memorial Library. The money will also be used to help UIndy field the state’s first NCAA Division II men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.