as Jamestown College in 1883, but closed during the depression of 1893. The school reopened in 1909 and has remained in operation ever since.
In 1979, Jamestown College's football team went to the NAIA National Championships.
Two graduates of the institution have become Rhodes Scholars.
In 2013, in light of a new master's program and applied doctorate degree program, Jamestown College changed its name to the University of Jamestown.
In 2018, Dr. Robert Badal retired from his position as university president after serving in the role for nearly 16 years. He was succeeded by Dr. Polly Peterson.
== Athletics ==
The Jamestown athletic teams are called the Jimmies. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Starting in 2025–26, the Jimmies are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Three sports not sponsored by the NSIC compete elsewhere—men's soccer and women's wrestling as independents, and men's volleyball in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Previously, …
