The University of Dayton has a rich history going back more than 150 years to its founding in 1850 by Marianist brothers from Europe.  Originally established as a residential school for boys, it gradually evolved into St. Mary’s Institute, St. Mary’s College and eventually, in 1920, into the University of Dayton.  Changes in name reflected changes in mission as UD gradually took shape to become a fully accredited comprehensive university with professional schools and a College of Arts and Sciences. 

Many of the academic programs that evolved into the College of Arts and Sciences were established in the early 20^th century, but a fully mature College of Arts and Sciences took shape during the post-World War II enrollment boom that was fueled by the GI Bill of Rights.  With a strong commitment to educating the whole person, the College of Arts and Sciences provides a common general education program for the entire university community while maintaining strong academic major programs in the sciences, the humanities, the social sciences, and the fine arts.  All students at the University of Dayton take a significant amount of course work in the College of Arts and Sciences, and faculty members of the College deliver approximately 70% of all the undergraduate student credit hours taken at the University of Dayton.