[5][6] L. A. Hoopes and a committee of church leaders, including influential Adventist scholar and administrator W. W. Prescott, came to Lincoln, Nebraska in search of land to establish a college in the Midwest.

In September 1891,[7] Union College opened its doors to students with Prescott serving as its first president.

[15] The 50 acre campus is located in southeastern Lincoln, surrounded by residential areas and small businesses.

Major campus buildings include the Clocktower, Everett Dick Administration Building; the Don Love Building housing library and auditorium, Ortner Center with cafeteria and conference facilities; Krueger Center for science and mathematics, AdventHealth Center with exercise facilities and nursing, Engel Hall with music and fine arts, the Thunderdome gymnasium, Prescott Hall men's residence, and Rees Hall women's residence.

The university also hosts three tournaments each year (one for basketball, soccer, and volleyball) for Seventh-day Adventist high school teams.