University of Nebraska-Kearney

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Former names	Nebraska State Normal    School at Kearney Nebraska State Teachers    College Kearney State College
Motto	We Are Difference Makers
Type	Public
Established	1905 (1905)
Affiliation	University of Nebraska system
Budget	$147,637,530
Chancellor	Douglas A. Kristensen
Vice-Chancellor	Charles Bicak
Academic staff	374
Students	7,052 (Fall 2014)
Undergraduates	5,502 (Fall 2014)
Postgraduates	1,550 (Fall 2014)
Location	Kearney, Nebraska, U.S. 40°42′02″N 99°06′03″W / 40.70056°N 99.10083°W / 40.70056; -99.10083Coordinates: 40°42′02″N 99°06′03″W / 40.70056°N 99.10083°W / 40.70056; -99.10083
Campus	Rural, 235 acres (95 ha)
Colors	Blue and Gold
Nickname	Lopers
Mascot	Louie the Loper
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II – MIAA
Website	www.unk.edu

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), founded in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney, is the Kearney campus of the University of Nebraska system.

In March 1903 the Nebraska State Legislature appropriated $50,000 to build a normal school in western Nebraska. In September of that same year, after 111 ballots, the State Board of Education accepted the city of Kearney's offer of 20 acres (8.1 ha) and Green Terrace Hall at the western edge of the city to become its site. On October 18, 1904, the cornerstone of the first building was laid, while in the summer of 1905 the school offered its first classes in Kearney public facilities. The first classes on campus were held in the fall of 1905 as building was being completed. The first-year class consisted exclusively of women; Men's Hall was later established as the first hall for male students. The major sidewalks on campus were once roads, and the stoplight was located where the water fountain is now.

In 1921 the institution's name changed to Nebraska State Teachers College. In 1963, it became Kearney State College. Both name changes were a part of system-wide changes for the state colleges.

In 1989, a legislative act transferred the institution from the Nebraska State College System to the University of Nebraska system. After a Nebraska Supreme Court review, Kearney State College became the University of Nebraska at Kearney on July 1, 1991. Before its affiliation with the University of Nebraska, Kearney State had often been called "K State", an expression also often used for Kansas State University.

State Representative C.J. Warner of Waverly introduced the 1903 bill creating the institution; his son, State Senator Jerome Warner, introduced the bill making UNK a part of the University.

The UNK campus comprises 49 buildings on 514-acre (208 ha). Not all buildings are part of the contiguous campus, and many are used for non-academic purposes.

Antelope Hall Several nominators and the committee suggested that this name honors the Great Plains heritage, which has distinctively shaped the institution. It also aligns with the positive campus identity and tradition. Antelope Hall houses 160 students, in a mix of two- and four-person suites. Within the complex are computer labs, study rooms, TV lounges, full kitchens and centralized front desks.