From fleeing the Himalayas to founding a university
Chögyam Trungpa (1939–1987) fled Tibet in 1959, crossing the Himalayas into exile, and in 1974 founded the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. In 1988 it became the first Buddhist-inspired academic institution in North America to earn United States regional accreditation — just 14 years after its founding and within three decades of his mountain crossing.
How we know
Chögyam Trungpa b. 5 Mar 1939, d. 4 Apr 1987; fled Tibet 1959 (post-uprising); founded Naropa Institute 1974 (Boulder, CO); Naropa regionally accredited by the North Central Association 1988 (first Buddhist-inspired academic institution in the US to be so accredited). Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chögyam_Trungpa, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naropa_University.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.