University of California, Riverside, California

University of California, Riverside, California

UC Riverside began as the UC Citrus Experiment Station, established on February 14, 1907 on 23 acres on the east slope of Mount Rubidoux and moved to a 475-acre site near Box Springs Mountain in 1917. Classes for students started on February 15, 1954 with 127 students and 65 faculty, and the first commencement in 1955 graduated 20. The first African-American graduate, Roy Overstreet, finished in 1958. UCR's library says 86 percent of its students are non-white and 57 percent are first-generation, as of a 2019 article. Athletics began in 1954 at NAIA and NCAA Division II levels, and the Highlanders moved to Division I in 2000 on joining the Big West Conference. The mascot is Scotty Highlander, a bear in a kilt. Freshmen apply through the shared UC application.

Key facts

• Founded: 1954 (campus); research station 1907
• Location: Riverside, California
• Type: Public research university (University of California)
• Known for: Citrus research roots; diverse, first-generation student body
• Athletics: NCAA Division I, Big West Conference since 2000