Land-grant university

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Land-grant university

A land-grant university is an institution of higher education in the United States designated by a state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890. These acts were intended to fund educational institutions by granting federally controlled land to the states for them to sell, raise funds, and establish and endow "land-grant" colleges.

History

The concept of land-grant universities was introduced by Justin Smith Morrill, a U.S. Representative and later a U.S. Senator from Vermont. The first Morrill Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 2, 1862. This act granted each state 30,000 acres of public land for each senator and representative in Congress. The proceeds from the sale of these lands were to be used to fund the establishment of at least one college in each state.

The second Morrill Act of 1890 aimed to extend the benefits of the original act to the former Confederate states and required each state to show that race was not an admissions criterion, or else designate a separate land-grant institution for persons of color. This led to the establishment of several historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Purpose

The primary purpose of land-grant universities was to promote education in agriculture, science, military science, and engineering as a response to the industrial revolution and changing social class. These institutions were intended to provide a practical education that would be accessible to the working class.

Impact

Land-grant universities have had a significant impact on higher education in the United States. They have expanded access to education, promoted research and innovation, and contributed to the economic development of their states. Many of these institutions have grown into large public universities that offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Notable Land-Grant Universities

Some of the most notable land-grant universities include:

• Iowa State University
• Michigan State University
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Cornell University
• University of Wisconsin-Madison

See Also

• Morrill Land-Grant Acts
• Historically black colleges and universities
• Public university
• Agricultural education
• Extension service (land-grant universities)