When students returned to the University of New Haven for the spring semester, they were greeted by blue and gold banners across campus to celebrate the university’s centennial.

Milestones from the past 100 years:

1920: The New Haven YMCA College was added as a division of Yale campus.

1944: The first World War Ⅱ veteran enrolled, beginning the veteran population at the university.

1960: Campus moved to West Haven into a former orphanage.

1969: Graduate school programs opened and the first residence hall was built.

1970: The State of Connecticut approved making the college a university and the name is changed to University of New Haven.

1987: Maxcy Hall was named after Ellis C. Maxcy, the first director of the university.

1991: The university was awarded accreditation for the maximum number of 10 consecutive years by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

1998: The Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science was founded.

2000: Students represented more than 50 countries on campus.

2004: Steven Kaplan is named president of the university.

2012: The university opened a sister campus in Prato, Italy.

2020: The university celebrates its centennial and ranks #66 in the Best Colleges in Regional Universities North.There are 165 student organizations, 250 study abroad programs, 50 recreational sports, and 21 club sports. The school is recognized as one of the top 385 Best Colleges by the Princeton Review and the Engineering School is ranked within the top third in the country by the U.S. News & World Report.

The university is planning several centennial celebrations this year. From Feb. 7 to 9, the university is hosting a trip to Boca Raton, Fla., that includes a riverboat cruise, welcome reception and a “Taste of Mizner Park” culinary tour.

On April 4, there will be a Centennial Ball in the Beckerman Rec. Center. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Centennial Scholarship Fund.

On April 30, there will be a celebration for Founders Day, and a grand opening for the Bergami Center of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

In the fall semester, the Centennial Homecoming starts Nov. 6.