The University of Utah is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. As the state’s flagship university, the university offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and more than 92 graduate degree programs. The university is classified in the highest ranking: Tier One (R1) Doctoral Universities—Very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
In fact, the University of Utah was founded in 1850 as a private school called the University of Deseret by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It became a state-owned school in 1862 and remained so until 1878 when it became a privately owned institution governed by an independent board of trustees. In 1896, the University moved from its original location in downtown Salt Lake City to its current location on Red Butte Canyon. In 1945, voters approved a $5 million bond measure for construction to begin on campus; however, construction did not begin until 1949 under the direction of architect William Pereira and engineer David M. Kennedy. Today, this building serves as the primary facility for the College of Fine Arts; it is known as “the Bricks.”
Many graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in many different fields including engineering, medicine and law. Some notable alumni include Michael Jordan; Mia Hamm; Carl Sagan; Jaron Lanier; Neil Diamond and more.
