Hastings College was originally proposed in 1873, two years after the city of Hastings was established. Later in 1880, the local Presbyterian church announced plans to create it. The college was officially formed in 1882 and began its first academic year on September 13. The college's first building was the McCormick Hall, which was built in 1873 and was renovated for college purposes in 1884. In 1909, it was announced that the college would attempt to merge with a college in
Bellevue. However, the plan ultimately failed after both colleges denied interest in merging. In the 1920s, the college underwent major expansions. These included the addition of a gymnasium, the Taylor Dining Hall, and a temporary chapel. In 1934, it was announced that Bellevue College would again be merged with Hastings College. The merger was completed that same year. In the early 1960s, the college opened the Bellevue House, the Perkins Library, and a new administration building. By 1976, enrollment dropped from 850 to 700 and the college began plans to increase funding by its centennial year. Additionally, it began planning with other private colleges to get funding from the
Nebraska State Legislature. The college reached its funding goals by its centennial year and went up in enrollment to 920 students. The Garold C.J. and Marie Gray Center for the Communication Arts was dedicated on September 6, 1988, by president
Ronald Reagan and first-lady
Nancy Reagan. In 2020,
Bryan College of Health Sciences and Hastings College announced a partnership to address the shortage of healthcare workers in Nebraska. == Academics ==