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History

Sullivan University has earned a reputation as one of the leading career-focused institutions in the nation. Popular since its beginning, Sullivan continues to grow in stature and reputation. Here's a look back at our 50-year history.

  • 1962

    A. O. Sullivan and his son, A. R. Sullivan, recognize the need for an institution of higher education devoted to the highest ideals and standards in preparing people for successful careers. They found Sullivan Business College, a one-year school of business, to meet that need.

  • 1972

    Sullivan receives authority to award the associate degree.

  • 1973

    Bryant and Stratton Business College, whose history dated back to 1864, merge with Sullivan, giving the school a history of over a century of service to the people in the region.

  • 1976

    Sullivan makes a major move to its current main campus, at the corner of the Watterson Expressway and Bardstown Road, and changes its name to Sullivan Junior College of Business to better reflect its status as an accredited junior college.

  • 1979

    Sullivan becomes the first private career college in the South to receive collegiate accreditation from the prestigious Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools at the associate degree level.

  • 1982

    Sullivan opens its first extension campus on the Ft. Knox military base at Ft. Knox, Ky., serving the military and civilian population in the area.

  • 1985

    Sullivan continues its expansion with the opening of a branch campus in Lexington, Ky.

  • 1990

    Sullivan adds a baccalaureate degree program at its main campus.

  • 1992

    The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools grants accreditation to Sullivan's baccalaureate program, giving it the same baccalaureate accreditation as enjoyed by major colleges and universities in the eleven-state southern region.

  • 1994

    The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools extends Sullivan's accreditation through the year 2006. Then in January 2006, accreditation was extended through 2016.

  • 1995

    Sullivan's Lexington and Ft. Knox campuses are approved to offer baccalaureate degrees.

  • 1997

    Sullivan initiates a graduate school, offering the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at its main campus in Louisville. Sullivan has now become Kentucky's largest independent university.

  • 1999

    Sullivan opens a multi-million dollar Library and Learning Resource Center and begins offering graduate degree classes at its Lexington campus. Sullivan acquires a new suburban campus in Lexington for the thousand-plus students attending the college there. Sullivan University Online establishes an international presence.

  • 2000

    The institution's board approves the change of designation from Sullivan College to Sullivan University.

  • 2001

    Sullivan University establishes the International Center for Collaborative Solutions as an academic partner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, an independent government agency that reports directly to the president of the United States.

  • 2004

    The university opens a new multi-million dollar classroom and laboratory building with 400 additional student parking spaces on its new west campus, directly adjacent to the main campus.

  • 2006

    The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools extends Sullivan's accreditation through the 2016.

  • 2008

    Sullivan University accepts its inaugural class of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students, at its main campus in Louisville, to provide career opportunities to students and to meet the growing need for pharmacists in the region. To accommodate this new program, an 80,000-square-foot building on nearly 6 acres, adjacent to the Louisville campus was purchased and a 20,000 square foot, three-story wing was added to meet the unique needs of pharmacy education.

  • 2010

    Sullivan University welcomes an inaugural class of eleven students to its first Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program, in Management. The degree allows students to concentrate some of their studies in Strategic Management, Information Technology (IT) Management, Conflict Management or Human Resource Leadership.


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