How UC Irvine Built a Campus From Nothing

Oct. 4, 1965, was the first day of school for Mike Grayston — and for UC Irvine. He came to campus when there were only 958 freshmen, 215 sophomores, 254 juniors, two seniors and 140 graduate students. The university owned 1,000 acres but was home to just eight buildings.

"There was just a lot of dirt," Grayston said. "We started off with nothing, but then quickly built our own culture and traditions."

In just 50 years, the school has acquired 1,475 acres for 500 buildings, which include more than 300 residential houses and five libraries.