April 23, 1971: Initial Legislative Authorization
The Coordinating Board approves establishment of an upper-level institution in Victoria, Texas, as an off-campus center of an existing state-supported university. By spring of 1974, enrollment had grown to 450 students, the faculty to about 50 and course offerings to 80.
1974: Victoria Symphony
The Victoria Symphony Orchestra starts as a univers
ity-community organization sponsored by the Music Department of the University of Houston Victoria Center.
1975: Victoria Bach Festival
UHVC music professor David Urness helps found and is the first director of the Victoria Bach Festival. UHV in the 1970s
April 1983: Legislative Change from Center to University
Texas Gov. Mark White signs Senate Bill 235, giving permanent status as a degree-granting university to UHVC, which is renamed the University of Houston-Victoria. Nov. 1, 1985: Small Business Development Center
A grand opening is held for the Small Business Institute, which is later renamed the Small Business Development Center.
1991: New Facility
UHV moves into a newly constructed two-story leased facility.
1997: New Buildings and Online Classes
UHV receives approval from the Board of Regents in June to purchase University West and approximately 17 acres of land from Victoria College, and to build a three-story facility to be named the University Center. UHV breaks ground on the University Center in August. Business professor Jim Weber teaches the first online class in the fall. UHV University Center
2000: University Center
The University Center building opens.
2001: Online MBA
The School of Business Administration begins offering a Master of Business Administration degree entirely online. October 2006: NAIA
UHV is approved for membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. December 2007: School of Nursing
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approves a proposal to establish a UHV School of Nursing. Spring 2008: Athletics
The Jaguars baseball and softball teams play their first games. June 19, 2009: Expansion
Texas Gov. Rick Perry signs House Bill 1056 to allow UHV to add underclassmen in fall 2010. UHV campus-view
Aug. 6, 2009: Ceremonial Signing
Texas Gov. Rick Perry comes to UHV for a ceremonial signing of HB 1056. Sept. 7, 2010: First Underclassmen and Additional Sports
UHV welcomes more than 300 freshmen and sophomores to its Victoria campus for the start of fall classes and adds men’s and women’s golf and soccer teams to its athletics program. Sept. 18, 2010: First Residence Hall
Jaguar Hall, UHV’s first residence hall, opens at 2705 Houston Highway. August 2012: Jaguar Court
UHV opens Jaguar Court, its second residence hall for students, at 2605 Houston Highway. Aug. 30, 2012: Jaguar Suites
A ground-breaking ceremony takes place for Jaguar Suites, an apartment-style residence hall for sophomores scheduled to open in fall 2013 at 2703 Houston Highway. Fall 2013: Jaguar Suites, UHV’s new suite-style residence hall, is opened for occupancy. November 20, 2013: Groundbreaking takes place for the new Academic and Regional Economic Development Building, north of the Center Building, 3007 N. Ben Wilson. August 2015: University North opens.
