1851 - Teacher Training
Formed in 1851 in the liberal arts tradition as a teacher training school by the Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg to serve the educational needs of the German-Catholic residents of southern Indiana. Under the direction of Father Francis Joseph Rudolph and Mother Theresa Hackelmeier, teachers were trained at Oldenburg for more than a decade before Indiana adopted its first tax-supported normal school.

1936 - The Beginning
St. Francis Normal, as it was known then, became a four-year, state-approved institution that merged with Immaculate Conception Junior College to form Marian College. In November 1936, the Sisters of St. Francis purchased the former James Allison estate, “Riverdale,” as a site for Marian College.

1937 - Marian College Is Born
In 1937 the college moved to Indianapolis under the direction of Mother M. Clarissa Dillhoff, after securing a state charter and purchasing the James A. Allison estate. On September 15, 1937, college classes began in the former Allison Mansion, renamed Marian Hall, with a full time enrollment of 24.

1948 - Expansion, Co-Education, And Accreditation
Success brought growing pains and, in 1948, the college began an expansion program that included the addition of Clare Hall, the Gymnasium, and Marian Hall. In 1954, as Marian Hall was completed, the school became the first co-educational Catholic college in Indiana. Two years later the North Central Association accredited Marian College.

1976 - Accreditation For Teachers And Nurses
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education formally accepted all teacher education programs of the college in 1976. The Indiana State Board of Nursing approved the associate level nursing curriculum in 1977 and the baccalaureate program in 1987. The National League of Nursing has accredited both programs - the associate in 1986 and the baccalaureate in 1992.

2000 – Marian's College's Adult Programs
With a long history of serving both non-traditional and traditional students, launching a degree program for adults was a natural extension of Marian's educational mission. Marian's Adult Programs (MAP) offers bachelor and associate degrees in business.

2001 – Leadership For A New Millennium On November 2, 2001, Daniel J. Elsener was inaugurated as Marian's eighth president.

2009- Marian College Becomes Marian University
On July 1, 2009, Marian College became Marian University. Over the past several years, the college experienced growth and progress by expanding the academic curriculum; enhancing the faith dimension on campus; creating a more vibrant campus life, with a football team and marching band; and adding and renovating buildings.The new name better reflects what the institution is becoming: a great Catholic university.

Marian University is owned and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, a community of Franciscan religious that celebrated 150 years of faith, leadership, and education in Indiana on September 15, 2001.