THE UNIVERSITY The University of Dayton was founded in 1850 as St. Mary's Institute.  It is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the Midwest and is owned and operated by the Society of Mary.  Click below for more general information on UD, our campus, or visit the University's main website, http://www.udayton.edu.   History of the University History of the Marianists  University at a Glance University Fact Book  Virtual Tour of the University  Directions to Campus  Campus Map