History

1883

Patrick Roger Cleary founds The Cleary School of Penmanship—a vital business skill in the late 19th century commercial workplace. Cleary is Washtenaw County's first independent college.

1885

Cleary becomes Michigan's first college to train and place a graduate as a teacher of commercial subjects in the public school system.

1886

Cleary holds Michigan's first summer school session for teachers of commercial subjects.

1891

Cleary Business College is incorporated under state law.

1913

Cleary and Michigan State Normal College launch first joint college program approved by the state board of education. Public school business teachers study education at the Normal College and business subjects at Cleary.

2000

2002

Cleary's change to university status is approved by the Michigan State Department of Education and the North Central Association.

2006

On May 18, Cleary officials break ground on the Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Center for Business and Community Excellence in Howell.

2007

The Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Center for Business and Community Excellence was officially opened on the Livingston Campus with such features as low-volume, high-pressure toilets that use very little water; waterless urinals which, on average, save 40,000 gallons of water a year each; motion-sensitive lighting systems in addition to T5 and T8 indirect lights in the classrooms; and an individually-zoned and computer-programmed HVAC system—making it one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly campus buildings in southeastern Michigan.

2009

President Tom Sullivan celebrates his 20th anniversary as head of the university.

2010

The Cleary University Micro-Business Incubator (CUMBI) opens, housed in the new Livingston Campus Welcome Center. Providing business support and guidance for start-ups, the CUMBI is the first of its kind in Livingston County.

2012

Cleary reintroduces its collegiate athletic program with men's and women's cross country and golf teams.