1975 - 1984
UC Irvine's teen years saw a new chancellor, medical center, student housing and a dedicated ZIP code.
Milestones
Expansion defines the era with housing, an assigned ZIP code, medical center, new leadership and Olympic gold triumph.
1975
By the fall of 1975, more than 9,000 students were enrolled in classes at UC Irvine. With so many people living, working and studying on campus, a new post office opened in the newly incorporated city of Irvine and UCI was assigned its own postal code.
1976
In 1976, the university purchased the Orange County Medical Center and the Community Clinic of Orange County to form UCI Medical Center, located in Orange, about 12 miles from the main campus.
1978
Steve Scott ’78 ran a 3.53.92 mile, the fastest in the world that year, at UCI’s fifth annual Meet of Champions in 1978. In February 1981, he set the American record for indoor mile run, finishing at 3:51.8. As a student, Scott was named an All-American athlete for four consecutive years and won the 1,500-meter title at the 1977 NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In 1983, he was inducted into the UC Irvine Athletics Hall of Fame.
1982
Las Lomas Apartments, the first housing community for faculty and staff, opened in 1982 at the intersection of East Peltason Drive and Los Trancos Drive, near the University Club. Shortly afterward, the Irvine Campus Housing Authority began construction on University Hills.
1984
The UCI Medal was established by Chancellor Jack Peltason in 1984 to recognize those from the community and university whose dedication and generosity furthered the spirit and vision of UCI. Upon his retirement, Chancellor Dan Aldrich was awarded the first UCI Medal. In June 1984, the campus’s central pPark was named in his honor.
1984
Jack Peltason, a founding faculty member, was appointed UCI chancellor in 1984. He left to become UC president from 1992 to 1995. During his tenure, UCI experienced significant growth, increased funding for endowed chairs and professorships, and created community partnerships.
1984
Alumnus Greg Louganis ’81 took home two Olympic gold medals in springboard and platform diving at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles – repeating the feat at the 1988 Seoul Games. He had earned an Olympic silver medal as a 16-year-old in 1976. Louganis competed on UCI’s swimming and diving team and earned a bachelor’s degree in drama.
