| 1885 | Milwaukee Normal School opens to train teachers in downtown Milwaukee at 18th and Wells.
|
| 1892 | University of Wisconsin offers day and evening classes in Milwaukee. |
| 1909 | With the completion of a new Milwaukee Normal School building (today's Mitchell Hall), the campus moves to its present location. |
| 1920 | The University of Wisconsin Extension Division, formed in 1907, takes over responsibility for UW instruction in Milwaukee. |
| 1927 | Normal school becomes Milwaukee State Teachers College with four-year degree. |
| 1928 | UW Extension opens Milwaukee Center downtown. |
| 1951 | Milwaukee State Teachers College becomes Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee, with liberal arts degrees. |
| 1956 | WSC and UW Milwaukee Extension merge to form UWM. |
| 1961 | The 8.6-acre Milwaukee-Downer Seminary site, including three buildings, is purchased. |
| 1963 | UWM offers first Ph.D. degree (mathematics). |
| 1964 | UWM buys Milwaukee-Downer College buildings, expands campus. |
| 1965 | UWM purchases the 6.3-acre Milwaukee University School campus. |
| 1970 | Three towers, collectively called Sandburg Residence Halls, open for student housing. |
| 1988 | UW System designates eight Centers of Excellence at UWM. |
| 1995 | Division of Outreach and Continuing Education Extension (now the School of Continuing Education) moves to new offices in the downtown Plankinton Building. |
| 2000 | Carnegie Foundation names UWM to top tier of research universities. |
| 2001 | Governor announces Honors Academy at UWM. Women's basketball team is first in school history to reach NCAA Tournament. |
| 2002 | UWM opens Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts. Fourth tower added to Sandburg Residence Halls. |
| 2005 | Men's basketball team advances to Sweet 16 in NCAA Tournament. |
| 2006 | $100-million Campaign for UWM announced. Pavilion athletics complex and Kenilworth Square mixed-use student housing facility open. Men's and women's basketball teams both advance to NCAA Tournament. |
