History

History of Founders Day
The foundation for excellence in teaching, research, service and patient care, on behalf of the people of Arizona, was established when The University of Arizona College of Medicine was dedicated on November 17, 1967. Ceremonies before 1,500 guests celebrated nearly a decade of effort by Arizonans to build a medical school. Dr. William Hubbard, President of the Association of American Medical Colleges, was the principal speaker. Dr. Hubbard was joined in those ceremonies by the founding Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Merlin K. DuVal, among others. Dr. Hubbard predicted, "The University of Arizona College of Medicine will take on its own personality and grow far beyond even the most carefully cherished hopes and plans. The development of a medical school requires the total participation of the community." That community commitment has been realized! The Founders for Arizona Medical Education (FAME), under the leadership of the late William R. Matthews, raised in excess on $3 million in private donations, representing the first time such funds were given to build a public medical school. Those dollars were matched by an award of just over $4 million from the U.S. Public Health Service, resulting in more than $7 million for construction. With funds in hand, groundbreaking began in 1966. Dozens of Quonset huts at the old polo grounds were cleared to make way for the first building. The Basic Sciences Building opened in September 1967, just one day before the first group of 32 medical students began classes. Four years later, the Clinical Sciences Building and the University Hospital (known today as University Medical Center) were completed. The state now had an academic health sciences center which has grown to become one of the premier academic and clinical sites in this country.

History of Founders Day

The foundation for excellence in teaching, research, service and patient care, on behalf of the people of Arizona, was established when The University of Arizona College of Medicine was dedicated on November 17, 1967. Ceremonies before 1,500 guests celebrated nearly a decade of effort by Arizonans to build a medical school.

Dr. William Hubbard, President of the Association of American Medical Colleges, was the principal speaker. Dr. Hubbard was joined in those ceremonies by the founding Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Merlin K. DuVal, among others. Dr. Hubbard predicted, "The University of Arizona College of Medicine will take on its own personality and grow far beyond even the most carefully cherished hopes and plans. The development of a medical school requires the total participation of the community."

That community commitment has been realized! The Founders for Arizona Medical Education (FAME), under the leadership of the late William R. Matthews, raised in excess on $3 million in private donations, representing the first time such funds were given to build a public medical school. Those dollars were matched by an award of just over $4 million from the U.S. Public Health Service, resulting in more than $7 million for construction. With funds in hand, groundbreaking began in 1966. Dozens of Quonset huts at the old polo grounds were cleared to make way for the first building. The Basic Sciences Building opened in September 1967, just one day before the first group of 32 medical students began classes. Four years later, the Clinical Sciences Building and the University Hospital (known today as University Medical Center) were completed. The state now had an academic health sciences center which has grown to become one of the premier academic and clinical sites in this country.