our
Story
So
Far
2021
Niall Ferguson, Pano Kanelos, Joe Lonsdale, Bari Weiss and others meet in Austin, Texas. The idea of UATX is conceived.
UATX goes public on November 8, receiving over a thousand inquiries from students, parents, and professors within 24 hours.
→ Read our launch announcement: “We Can't Wait for Universities to Fix Themselves. So We're Building Anew.”
2022
Leading minds gather at UATX’s First Principles Summit to discuss the fearless pursuit of truth.
UATX hires four academic directors.
Jacob Howland, David Ruth, Charles W. Calomiris and Patrick Gray begin building UATX's Academic Centers.
UATX launches the Forbidden Courses.
Students—hailing from institutions like Yale, Princeton, and Stanford—say their experience with UATX is “life-changing.”
UATX begins its inaugural Polaris Fellowship program.
Fellows include a former diplomat, a fintech startup first-hire/Princeton dropout, an Air Force Special Operations commander, and an acclaimed cellist. Learn More →
UATX submits its application for state certification to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The accreditation process is initiated.
2023
UATX hosts its second First Principles Summit.
Academics and public thinkers meet to discuss UATX’s mission and governance documents. Learn More →
UATX hosts its first-ever high school program and second Forbidden Courses.
UATX receives high school juniors and seniors for three days of college-level instruction. Learn More →
UATX conducts its second Forbidden Courses summer program featuring Bari Weiss, Michael Shellenberger, Dorian Abbot, Joe Lonsdale, Marc Andreessen, Walter Russell Mead, Glenn Loury, and countless others. Learn More →
UATX and Civitas Institute (UT-Austin) partner to present a graduate symposium on “Reason in Crisis.”
Through intensive study of foundational texts, students study the Enlightenment’s theoretical framework as it emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries. Learn More →
UATX hosts a second high school program in San Francisco.
UATX welcomes high school students with courses ranging from data science and mathematical concepts to American political thought and the nature of justice. Learn More →
Applications open for the University of Austin's first-ever undergraduate degree program.
The University of Austin is authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to offer undergraduate degrees.
2024
The University of Austin welcomes its first undergraduates to campus.