In 1842, the University of Notre Dame was founded by Reverend Edward F. Sorin, a French priest and member of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In 1844, the school received its charter. At that time, the university also had grade schools and a manual labor school. A fire destroyed much of the university in 1879, but it was rebuilt. In 1972, the University of Notre Dame began accepting female undergraduates.
The University of Notre Dame consists of four colleges: Arts and Letters, Engineering, Science and the Mendoza College of Business. The university also includes the Law School, School of Architecture and the Graduate School. The Graduate School began in 1918 and offers 32 master's and 23 doctoral degree programs. In addition, the University of Notre Dame has six research institutes and over 40 centers and special programs.
In the 2008 to 2009 academic year, the University of Notre Dame had 11,731 students overall, 8,363 of whom were undergraduates. As of 2010, 48 percent of students were female. According to the university website, 71 percent of freshmen graduated in the top five percent of their class in high school.
According to the university website, surveys by Kiplinger's, Kaplan/Newsweek and Time Magazine rate the University of Notre Dame in the nation's top 25 schools. The Wall Street Journal called the university one of the "New Ivies." U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's Law School 23rd in the nation.
The 1,250-acre campus of the University of Notre Dame is adjacent to South Bend, Indiana. The campus boasts two lakes and 138 buildings. Famous campus landmarks include The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Golden Dome in the Main Building and the 14-story Hesburgh Library.
Notable alumni of the University of Notre Dame include author Michael Collins, author Nicholas Sparks, NASA astronaut Michael Good, speechwriter William McGurn, Bank of America CEO Brian T. Moynihan and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.