History of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

As a result, the Milwaukee State Normal School opened for classes in 1885 at 18th and Wells Streets, with John J. Mapel as president.

Over the next 42 years, the Milwaukee State Normal School saw 7 different presidents, the addition of music and liberal arts programs, and rapid growth from an initial enrollment of 46.

In 1922, the State Normal School Regents voted to discontinue college courses in an effort to refocus on the instruction of teachers.

On June 13, 1958, Milwaukee's Socialist mayor Frank P. Zeidler was the first person to receive an honorary doctorate from the university.

Enrollment grew from 6,195 in 1956 to 9,354 in 1962 and new academic programs, colleges and schools were created to meet student demands.