On November 9, 1829, the academy's Board of Trustees accepted the Presbyterian Synod of Indiana's proposal to adopt the school, provided a theological department was established.

The state of Indiana issued the academy a new charter, creating Hanover College effective January 1, 1833.

Four months after Madison University was founded, its president had resigned while its students began to return to Crowe's school.

In 1849 the board of trustees voted to purchase a 200-acre (0.8 km2) farm one-half mile east of Hanover's campus.

The Civil War, especially the Confederate maneuvers known as Morgan's Raid, came close to campus; faculty and students were alerted that the troops might try to burn Classic Hall.

The Hanover Board of Trustees rejected that proposal, as well as one from businessmen in 1873 that would have moved the college to Indianapolis and renamed it Johnson University.

[7]Albert G. Parker Jr. was inaugurated as Hanover's 12th president November 27, 1929, less than one month after the stock market crash that precipitated the Great Depression.

The economic hard times cut investment revenues and operational expenses had to be closely monitored.

On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor plunged the United States into World War II.

Under Horner's 29-year leadership, Hanover enjoyed unprecedented growth in its academic program, financial standing, and student enrollment.

By the mid-1960s, the campus expanded to more than 500 acres (2 km2) of land, enrollment topped 1,000 students, and Hanover's assets approached $15 million.

Winter Term ended one week early and students were dismissed, but many stayed to help faculty, staff and others clear the debris.

The Board of Trustees met April 5 in emergency session and vowed to lead the efforts in rebuilding and improving Hanover College.

Contributions poured in to cover Hanover's $1 million in uninsurable losses; they raised this amount in three months.

The number of full-time faculty was increased over a five-year period from 72 to 94, lowering the student-teacher ratio and allowing for more independent research and study.

In terms of amenities, students enjoyed a direct-dial telephone in each dorm room, ending years of having a campus operator direct all calls.

In 1995 the $11 million Horner Health and Recreation Center was opened; it was named for the president emeritus and his wife.

In the 1940s the college turned down plans to rebuild the Sigma Chi fraternity house as designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, because it did not match the Georgian Architecture.

[8] Much of the campus was heavily damaged in the April 3, 1974, tornado Super Outbreak, including several buildings that were destroyed.

Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, swimming, track & field, volleyball, and golf.