The University of Dayton is a private, coeducational school founded and directed by the Society of Mary (the Marianists), a Roman Catholic teaching order. It is among the nation's largest Catholic institutions of higher learning.

            The University had its earliest beginnings in 1850 when the Marianists purchased Dewberry Farm, located south of Dayton, from Mr. John Stuart and began St. Mary's School for Boys, a boarding school for young men.

            University status was granted in 1920 when enrollment stood at 171 male students. In 1935, female students were admitted on a full-time basis. Enrollment had passed one thousand when World War II broke out. By 1950, with the return of the veterans, it was more than 3,500. Currently, the total enrollment, including more than 5,800 full time undergraduates, is over 10,000.

            Sponsored research at the University began in 1949 with a few faculty members and student assistants doing part-time research for industry and government agencies. In 1956, the University of Dayton Research Institute was formed to consolidate the administration of the growing research activities. Annual research volume has increased from $4,000 in 1949 to approximately $47 million at the present time.

            The main campus, located at the southern edge of the city of Dayton, covers more than 102 acres and is the location of the majority of academic, housing, and recreational facilities. Other facilities, such as University-owned housing and apartments, as well as the basketball arena are within walking distance of the main campus.

            The University of Dayton enrolls students from Dayton, throughout Ohio, other states, and many foreign countries in 75 different undergraduate and 69 different graduate programs. These students have found the University to be an exciting and rewarding institution in which to attain their academic goals.