Our History
1918
In 1918, the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, founded Mount St. Clare College as a junior college for women.
Our History & Tour
1918
In 1918, the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, founded Mount St. Clare College as a junior college for women.
Our History & Tour
1930
Originally an outgrowth of Mount St. Clare Academy (which was founded in 1893), the College was designed to meet a higher education need in Clinton and the surrounding area. MSC held its first formal commencement in 1930 and from 1932 to 1954 the College's teacher education program prepared 62 percent of all teachers who worked in the schools of Clinton County.
Our History & Tour
1950
In 1950 the College was first accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has since maintained that accreditation.
Our History & Tour
1958
The year 1958 was a year of building for the College -- Construction of a spacious two-story library building was completed. Also being erected at this time were St. Francis Auditorium-Gymnasium and the Mount St. Clare Speech and Hearing Center.
Our History & Tour
1960
Expansion continued in the early 1960s - construction of Durham Hall, a residence hall, in 1962 and the Science Building in 1965.
Our History & Tour
1979
In April 1979, MSC received approval to award baccalaureate degrees. The first degree offered was Business Administration.
Our History & Tour
1981
First baccalaureate degree confirmed during graduation May 1981. The first student to complete course work for BA degree did so in December 1980.
Our History & Tour
1998
The Durgin Educational Center was completed in April 1998. The first commencement ceremony was held there in May. Dedication ceremonies were held in September.
Our History & Tour
2002
In December 2002, MSC became The Franciscan University and in May 2004 it conferred its first Master's degrees.
Our History & Tour
2005
Bridgepoint Education, Inc., a higher education organization, acquired the institution in 2005, and its name was changed to Ashford University®.
Our History & Tour
2009
Ashford University in 2009 announced its innovative Academic Scholarship Program, which rewards full-time, on-campus students for excellence in academic achievement and can cover up to 100 percent of a student’s tuition. The scholarships were first offered during the fall 2010 semester and have been continued for fall 2011 and 2012.
Our History & Tour
2010
In response to ongoing student population growth, Ashford purchased the Best Western Frontier Motor Inn in Clinton in 2010 to serve as a permanent, fully functioning residence hall.
In 2010, Ashford University announced plans to open its newly-acquired indoor Ashford University Community Tennis Center to the public.
Our History & Tour
2011
In 2011, Ashford University partnered with the Clinton LumberKings (Midwest League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners) to rename historic Riverview Stadium as “Ashford University Field.” Ashford will use the stadium for approximately 14 of its baseball team’s regular season games, and may also use it for future commencement ceremonies.
