Michigan State University
On the 12th of February 1855, Michigan Governor Kinsley S. Bingham signed a bill establishing the nation's first agriculture college, the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. John Clough Holmes, secretary of the agricultural society, convinced the state legislature to pass this act just months earlier. Classes began on the 13th of May 1857, with three buildings, five faculty members, and 63 male students. Joseph R. Williams served as the first president and pushed for an all-round education that included natural philosophy, chemistry, botany, and political economy alongside practical farming skills. The State Board of Education soon clashed with Williams over his broad curriculum. They viewed the college as inefficient and demanded a return to strict agricultural focus. Some agriculturalists even called for the college's abolition due to its unpractical nature. In 1859, Williams resigned after two years of conflict. The board then reduced the program to a two-year vocational farming track. Enrollment dropped drastically overnight, leaving the institution in dire financial straits. By 1860, Williams became acting lieutenant governor and helped pass the Reorganization Act of 1861. This restored the four-year curriculum and granted master's degree authority. A new body, the State Board of Agriculture, took control from the State Board of Education. The school changed its name to State Agricultural College and graduated its first class that same year.
In 1941, John A. Hannah became secretary of the State Board of Agriculture and later president of the college. He launched the largest expansion in the institution's history following World War II. The 1945 G.I. Bill enabled thousands of veterans to attend classes. Hannah built new dormitories and used rental income to fund further construction. Enrollment grew from 15,000 students in 1950 to 38,000 by 1965. During the centennial year of 1955, the state officially designated the school as a university. It was named Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. In 1957, Hannah co-founded Michigan State University, Oakland with Matilda Dodge Wilson. That partnership lasted until 1970 when Oakland gained independence. Lou Anna Simon called for MSU to become the global model leader for land-grant institutions by 2012. Her plans included creating residential colleges and increasing grants past $100 million. As of the 30th of June 2021, the university endowment reached $4.4 billion. This marked a dramatic rise from barely over $100 million in the early 1990s. The Michigan Constitution of 1964 changed the governing body name to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
Development of the campus started in 1856 with three buildings: College Hall, Saints' Rest dormitory, and a barn. Today, the contiguous campus spans 5,200 acres with 563 buildings including 107 academic structures and 166 housing units. Beaumont Tower marks the site of the original classroom building on the Red Cedar River's north bank. Eustace-Cole Hall stands as America's first freestanding horticulture laboratory. The W. J. Beal Botanical Garden remains one of the oldest parts of campus. In 2012, Zaha Hadid designed the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum which opened that year. Construction began in 2014 for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and finished in 2022. This $730 million facility aims to attract top researchers globally. The university also owns 44 non-campus properties totaling 1,300 acres across 28 counties. A solar carport array covering 5,000 parking spaces delivers peak power of 10.5 Megawatts. It generates enough energy annually to power approximately 1,800 Michigan homes. The Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center serves both business travelers and hospitality students.
In 1877, botany professor William J. Beal performed the first documented genetic crosses to produce hybrid corn. MSU dairy professor G. Malcolm Trout improved milk homogenization processes in the 1930s. Scientists developed cisplatin, a leading cancer-fighting drug, during the 1960s. Albert Fert won the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics while serving as an adjunct professor at MSU. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences became the first of its kind in the United States when established in 1955. Supply chain management/logistics programs rank number one nationally according to U.S. News & World Report. Elementary teacher education holds the top spot for 26 straight years. Rehabilitation counseling ranks first among graduate programs. In 2014, the Detroit Free Press noted engineering degrees ranked among the top 20 college majors with highest starting salaries. The university houses over 200 academic programs offered by 17 degree-granting colleges. The College of Osteopathic Medicine was the world's first publicly funded osteopathic college. It retains more than two-thirds of graduates within Michigan to practice medicine.
The Spartans won national championships in football in 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, and 1966. They claimed victories in men's basketball in 1979 and 2000. Ice hockey titles were secured in 1966, 1986, and 2007. Ron Mason served as head coach until his retirement with 924 total wins including 635 at MSU. On the 6th of October 2001, a record crowd of 74,554 attended the Cold War game between Spartans and Wolverines. This match ended in a 3, 3 tie inside Spartan Stadium. Wrestling teams earned their only NCAA Championship in 1967. The Spartans accounted for four of the top eight selections in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft. No other college program has achieved such a feat. As of 2020, MSU remained one of only four schools to have players selected in every NFL draft since 1967. Alan Haller began his tenure as athletic director on the 1st of September 2021. The university participates in the Big Ten Conference across all varsity sports.
Around 16,000 students live in MSU's 23 undergraduate halls plus one graduate hall and three apartment villages. Each residence hall maintains its own government under the Residence Halls Association. In 2014, enrollment reached approximately 50,085 students comprising 38,786 undergraduates and 11,299 graduates. Students hail from all 50 states and 130 countries globally. International engagement saw 5,660 international students enroll in fall 2019. China led with 2,965 students followed by India with 506. The Greek Community includes over 3,000 members across 55 societies. These chapters operate under four governing councils including National Panhellenic Conference and North American Interfraternity Council. Student organizations number over 800 registered groups within the Department of Student Life. The Associated Students of Michigan State University collects $21 per semester to fund operations. Turnout for student elections hovered between 3% and 17% since 2001. East Lansing itself has a population where 63.5% falls between ages 15 and 24.
In May 2014, MSU became one of 55 institutions investigated by the Office of Civil Rights regarding sexual violence handling. A police report filed in 2016 alleged that Larry Nassar sexually assaulted minors starting in 2000. Between filing and sentencing, 156 victims came forward including Olympic gymnasts and student athletes. On the 16th of May 2018, the university agreed to pay victims $500 million. President Lou Anna Simon resigned in January 2018 amid mounting pressure. Athletic director Mark Hollis retired while gymnastics coach Kathie Klages also stepped down. Former dean William Strampel faced felony charges for misconduct in office. He was convicted in June 2019 and sentenced to three years in county jail. Klages was found guilty on lying to police in February 2020. Charges against Simon were dismissed in May 2020 before being appealed. In November 2021, a hazing death occurred involving a fraternity member. The campus also experienced an arson attack on Agriculture Hall in 1999 by eco-anarchist activists. Four suspects were arrested nearly a decade later in 2008.
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Common questions
When was Michigan State University established and by whom?
Michigan Governor Kinsley S. Bingham signed a bill establishing the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan on the 12th of February 1855. John Clough Holmes convinced the state legislature to pass this act just months earlier.
Who served as the first president of Michigan State University and what curriculum did he implement?
Joseph R. Williams served as the first president and pushed for an all-round education that included natural philosophy, chemistry, botany, and political economy alongside practical farming skills. The State Board of Education soon clashed with Williams over his broad curriculum and demanded a return to strict agricultural focus.
What major expansion occurred at Michigan State University after World War II under John A. Hannah?
John A. Hannah launched the largest expansion in the institution's history following World War II when he became secretary of the State Board of Agriculture and later president of the college. Enrollment grew from 15,000 students in 1950 to 38,000 by 1965 due to the 1945 G.I. Bill enabling thousands of veterans to attend classes.
How many acres does the current campus of Michigan State University span and how many buildings are there?
The contiguous campus spans 5,200 acres with 563 buildings including 107 academic structures and 166 housing units. Development started in 1856 with three buildings: College Hall, Saints' Rest dormitory, and a barn.
When did Michigan State University win its most recent national championship in football and what other sports titles have they secured?
The Spartans won national championships in football in 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, and 1966. They claimed victories in men's basketball in 1979 and 2000 while ice hockey titles were secured in 1966, 1986, and 2007.
What legal settlement did Michigan State University agree to regarding sexual assault allegations involving Larry Nassar?
On the 16th of May 2018, the university agreed to pay victims $500 million after 156 victims came forward between filing and sentencing. President Lou Anna Simon resigned in January 2018 amid mounting pressure following these allegations.