1927–2027 • ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Founded on the revolutionary belief that ability and leadership must be sought in all groups, University of Bridgeport celebrates 100 years of transforming lives, pioneering academic firsts, and building our seaside community.
Join generations of Purple Knights across the globe as we count down to the 100th anniversary of University of Bridgeport.
Watch the inspiring story of our founding in 1927, our seaside home, and the generations of Purple Knights who have made their mark on history.
In 1927, physics and mathematics teacher E. Everett Cortright joined forces with dental hygiene pioneer Dr. Alfred Fones and Raybestos president Sumner Simpson to establish the Junior College of Connecticut — New England’s very first junior college. Dr. Fones invested $30,000 of his personal funds to purchase the first building at 1001 Fairfield Avenue, dedicated to providing accessible, practical, and career-connected higher education.
“Ability and leadership must be sought in all groups.”
— E. Everett Cortright, First President (1927)
From New England’s first junior college to national championship victories and historic civil rights addresses, explore the milestones that defined our heritage.
1913
Dr. Alfred Fones and his cousin Irene Newman launch the Fones School of Dental Hygiene in Bridgeport, establishing dental hygiene as a formal healthcare discipline and graduating the world’s first licensed dental hygienists.
1927
Governor John H. Trumbull signs the state charter for the Junior College of Connecticut — the first junior college in New England — founded by E. Everett Cortright, Dr. Alfred Fones, and Sumner Simpson.
1939
The college acquires P.T. Barnum’s historic Marina estate along Long Island Sound, establishing our picturesque Seaside Park campus and laying the foundation for modern residential campus life.
1947
Following the post-WWII boom and surge of returning veterans under the G.I. Bill, the Connecticut General Assembly grants university status, officially creating the University of Bridgeport.
1950
Aviation titan Igor Sikorsky lectures UB engineering students and presents the university with a four-cylinder helicopter engine, cementing UB’s close partnership with Connecticut aerospace and manufacturing.
1961
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks at UB’s Arnold Bernhard Center, delivering his renowned “The American Dream” address and challenging students to lead lives dedicated to universal human dignity and justice.
1972
The Purple Knights complete an undefeated season, running their streak to 21 consecutive victories and capturing the Knute Rockne Bowl, marking one of the greatest eras in New England college football.
1984
Standing 7 feet 7 inches, Sudan native Manute Bol plays for UB, drawing international media attention, filling arenas across the East Coast, and becoming a lifelong humanitarian and peace ambassador.
1991
UB establishes the first university-based chiropractic doctoral program in the United States, pioneering integrative healthcare education and clinical excellence in modern chiropractic medicine.
2009
The UB Women’s Gymnastics team captures the university’s first NCAA/USA Gymnastics collegiate national championship, beginning an unprecedented dynasty of six consecutive national titles.
2018
The Purple Knights Women’s Soccer team wins the NCAA Division II National Championship in Pittsburgh, defeating Grand Valley State 1-0 and etching their name in NCAA tournament history.
Hear from distinguished alumni whose UB experiences launched careers of global impact, artistic excellence, and tireless community leadership.
'77
“UB gave me the foundation and freedom to find my musical voice. Without the faculty who believed in my craft, my entire Hollywood scoring journey wouldn't have been possible.”
'00
“Coming from India to UB changed the trajectory of my life. The hands-on technology education and entrepreneurial spirit on campus inspired me to launch multi-million dollar software companies.”
'75
“My nursing education at UB taught me to care for the whole person with compassion and dignity. That ethos has guided my restaurant, my cookbooks, and my community philanthropy for decades.”
'15
“At UB, faculty know you by name. The collaborative research labs and diverse student body gave me real-world technical skills and leadership confidence that set me apart immediately.”
'69
“We met at UB over 50 years ago, and UB has remained in our hearts ever since. Endowing scholarships allows us to pay forward the incredible education and lifelong friendships we found here.”
'60, '66
“The discipline, teamwork, and character forged on the athletic fields and in the classrooms of UB shaped my entire career as a coach, headmaster, and mentor to thousands of young people.”
For 100 years, University of Bridgeport has opened doors to world-class education. Your gift today empowers the next century of students to lead, innovate, and thrive.
Support our grassroots “$100 for 100 Years” initiative, providing immediate need-based aid, first-generation scholar grants, and completion scholarships for students near graduation.
Preserve historic Marina Hall, restore Seaside Park gateway arches, and fund the commemorative Centennial Walkway where alumni can engrave custom legacy bricks.
Equip our next-century STEM classrooms, clinical simulation labs, and artificial intelligence computing clusters to train healthcare providers and engineering pioneers.
Join visionary benefactors who commit transformational endowed gifts, establishing permanent endowed faculty chairs, student research fellowships, and capital naming opportunities.
Were you there when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic address? Did you cheer on the undefeated 1972 football team, walk through Barnum’s historic Marina Hall, or conduct research on the shores of Long Island Sound? As we prepare the official 100-Year commemorative history, we invite alumni, retirees, faculty, and friends to submit photographs, archival documents, personal anecdotes, and memorabilia. Selected stories will be featured in our Centennial Exhibition and alumni publications.
