On Oct. 12, 1872, the University of Oregon (UO) was established by an act of the Oregon State Legislature despite funding concerns. Area residents struggled to help finance the institution, holding numerous fundraising events such as strawberry festivals, church socials, and produce sales.

Lane County citizens raised an astounding $27,500 to buy seventeen acres of land and build Deady Hall. Since then, the donation of private gifts has played an essential role in the growth of the university. The UO officially opened in 1876, with former Deady Hall was its first building still in use today.

In 1959, the Institute of Molecular Biology at the UO was founded under the leadership of Aaron Novick, and others, including Sid Bernhard, John Schellman, Frank Stahl, and George Streisinger, three of whom were elected to the National Academy of Sciences.