1787 The first issue of the Kentucky Gazzette is published on August 11
1869 Enoch Grehan is born 1890s First journalism courses offered in English department at "Kentucky University"
1892 First student newspaper, The Cadet, appears
1903 Marguerite "Miss Margie" McLaughlin graduates from Kentucky University
1908 University President James K. Patterson recommends the establishment of a separate Department of Journalism
1911 Library science education begins with the offering of a course in Library Training in the English Department
1912 Margaret King appointed librarian at the university
The College is part of Kentucky’s rich tradition in communication and information studies and has played a key role in training professionals in these fields since the 1890s, when the first courses in journalism were offered. The College and its units have enjoyed remarkable leadership, exemplified by visionaries such as Enoch Grehan (1869-1939), who was instrumental in establishing the university’s current daily newspaper and in fundraising for the construction of the Grehan Building.


1914 Department of Journalism is officially established. Grehan becomes the department's first director
1915 Fourth and present student newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel, publishes its first issue.
1917 Margaret King starts teaching Library Methods for Teachers
1924 Kentucky Kernel begins printing operation; Grehan risks his savings to finance the purchase of a linotype machine
1929 University students and faculty run a weekly 15 minute radio program on a local commercial station
1931 The Department of Journalism receives its first accreditation
1932 Department of Library Science founded with Mildred Semmons as head
1942 The Department of Library Science is fully accredited by the American Library Association and offers a BS in Library Science
1944 WBKY founded
1949 The Department of Library Science is offering a BS and a master's degree in library science

1975 The School of Communications is abolished and replaced with a School of Journalism and Department of Human Communication
1997 The advertising program within the School of Journalism and Telecommunications is renamed Integrated Strategic Communication
2000 The Kentucky Kernel is awarded a Pacemaker Award, one of only six daily collegiate newspapers in the country to receive the honor
2004 The founding of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues
2006 The Kentucky Kernel is awarded a Pacemaker Award
2008 The Kentucky Kernel is awarded a Pacemaker Award
2012 UK approves the proposal to change the name of the College to the College of Communication and Information
2013 Minor in Information Studies is introduced
2014 The CI Connect Living Learning Program, housed in Jewell Hall, is introduced
The journalism program celebrates its 100th year
The College's newest degree program, Information Communication technology, is introduced
2015 A graduate degree in Information Communication Technology is announce
2016 The Department of Integrated Strategic Communication is founded, and is separated from the School of Journalism and Telecommunications
2017 The School of Information Science announces an online degree completion program in information studies
2019 UK Intercollegiate Debate wins the National Debate Tournament
2020 KRNL L+F wins magazine Pacemaker Award
2021 ISC National Student Advertising Competition team places fifth in the nation, UK's highest ever finish