Ringing bells will greet CU-Boulder students at noon on Thursday, Sept. 5, to mark the anniversary of the University of Colorado's opening day 125 years ago.
The carillon bells, located in Macky Auditorium, will ring 44 times in celebration of the first class of students. On Sept. 5, 1877 the doors of Old Main swung open to welcome CU's first class of 44 students and two instructors, including the president of the university.
Inauguration day began with the ringing of Old Main's bell, signaling the start of formal ceremonies that included the governor of Colorado, the Board of Regents and leading members of the community.
The university consisted of one building, Old Main, where all classes were held. Old Main also was home to the president and his family.
The first students to enter CU had varied levels of schooling, according to Emeritus physics Professor Al Bartlett, who is well versed in CU history. "The students were not ready for college yet, so the first year was mostly preparatory work," Bartlett said.
The preparatory classes included geometry, algebra, physics and physical geography, according to "Glory Colorado," a chronicle of CU history.
CU's first class graduated in June 1882, when six young men earned bachelor of arts degrees. Today, CU-Boulder offers its students more than 3,400 courses in 170 fields of study on a campus consisting of about 200 rural Italian-style buildings and complexes.