University of Nebraska Omaha

University of Nebraska Omaha

Type	Public Research Space Grant University
Established	1908
Parent institution	University of Nebraska system
Academic affiliations	NCA CUMU
Chancellor	John Christensen
Academic staff	1,069
Students	15,526
Undergraduates	12,488
Postgraduates	3,038
Location	Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. 41°15′34″N 96°00′18″W / 41.259581°N 96.005053°W / 41.259581; -96.005053Coordinates: 41°15′34″N 96°00′18″W / 41.259581°N 96.005053°W / 41.259581; -96.005053
Campus	Urban, 534 acres (216 ha) 78 acres (32 ha) (North Campus) 154 acres (62 ha) (South Campus)
Colors	Black and Crimson
Nickname	Mavericks
Mascot	Durango
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – Summit League, NCHC
Website	unomaha.edu

The University of Nebraska Omaha, often referred to as Omaha or UNO, is a public research university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded in 1908 by faculty from the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary as a private non-sectarian college, the university was originally known as the University of Omaha. Meant to provide a Christian-based education free from ecclesiastical control, the university served as a strong alternative to the city's many successful religiously affiliated institutions.

Serving as Nebraska's premier metropolitan university, UNO continues to rapidly expand to meet the growing demands of the city of Omaha and the state of Nebraska. Since the year 2000, the university has more than tripled its student housing and is currently building a 450 bed student dormitory and academic space on its south campus. It has also recently constructed modern facilities for its engineering, information technology and business programs. UNO currently offers more than 200 programs of study across 6 different colleges and has over 60 classroom, student, athletic, and research facilities spread across 3 campuses. The university expects to enroll 20,000 students by the year 2020.

The Omaha Mavericks compete in 15 NCAA Division I sports in both the NCHC and Summit League conferences. The ice hockey, basketball, and volleyball teams compete in the new Baxter Arena located on the university's Center street campus. UNO recently enjoyed national attention when its men's hockey team reached the national semifinal (Frozen Four) of the NCAA tournament.

The original Omaha University was founded in 1908 in the Kountze Place neighborhood of North Omaha. The first classes were located in the Redick Mansion, once at North 24th and Pratt Streets, from 1909 through 1917. As the university was established a few blocks north of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, most of its early faculty were recruited from Seminary teachers, as well as the faculty of Bellevue College. There were 26 students in the first year, most of whom had graduated from Omaha Central High School. Three of the University's first four presidents were ordained Presbyterian ministers. Two other buildings on the original campus included Jacobs Hall, a gymnasium erected in 1910, and Joslyn Hall, a classroom building erected in 1917.