Wright State University - History

History

Founded in 1964, Wright State University was originally the Dayton branch campus of both Miami University and Ohio State University. At that time it comprised only a single building, Allyn Hall (named for Stanley Allyn, then-president of National Cash Register and one of the university's founders). Most of the land was donated by the United States Air Force, from excess acreage of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

A 1965 act of the Ohio General Assembly created the university. Several names were considered, including Dayton State University, Southwest Ohio State University, Shawnee University, Four Rivers University (after the four nearby rivers: the Great Miami, the Mad, the Stillwater, and Wolf Creek), and Mad River University. Wright State University was eventually chosen to honor the Wright Brothers, who were residents of Dayton and invented the first successful aircraft in the city. On October 1, 1967, the university met enrollment criteria set by state legislature and Senate Bill 212 passed to actually create a new university. This led to the official charter of Wright State University.

Despite being in Fairborn, it has a Dayton mailing address. Prior to current president David R. Hopkins' appointment, Wright State University had five other presidents: Brage Golding (1966–1973); Robert J. Kegerreis (1973–1985); Paige E. Mulhollan (1985–1994); Harley E. Flack (1994–1998); and Kim Goldenberg (1998–2006).

In 2007, Wright State University celebrated its 40th Anniversary in connection with the Presidential Inauguration of David R. Hopkins. In order to mark this milestone in university history, Wright State created a 40th Anniversary website to highlight the events, history, and vision of its community. More information about the university's history can be seen on this Wright State site.