About Us

75th Anniversary

The 1970s

Academic Growth: As the 1970s unfolded, Lewis continued to grow, with the College of Continuing Education and the College of Business joining the College of Arts and Sciences. A College of Nursing also was proposed. The organizational structure no longer seemed appropriately designated by the term "college." For that reason, among others, the decision was made in 1973 to change our name officially to Lewis University.

The newly-named Lewis University soon made a name for itself nationally as the baseball team won three consecutive national championships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The men were champions in 1974, '75 and '76.

Graduate Programs: In July, 1975, a significant step in the development of Lewis University occurred with the accreditation of graduate programs (master's and first professional degree levels) by the North Central Association. The inaugural program was the Master of Science in Criminal/Social Justice which began offering classes in 1974. In the fall of 1975, the Master of Arts in Education was developed. A Law School was established, but later was transferred to Northern Illinois University for financial reasons. Classes toward the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree began in the Spring of 1977, with the first degrees conferred during 1979.

Theatre lovers will remember the Tangerine Tent across from White Fence Farm where theatre students at Lewis presented summer performances. The Studio Theatre was the site of productions during the academic year. Students and faculty alike assisted when the Philip Lynch Theatre was built in 1975, opening in 1976.

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