Kansas State University (KSU) is a public research university in Kansas, United States. It was founded on February 16, 1863, as the state’s land-grant college under the Morrill Act. The university is classified as one of 115 Doctoral Universities with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. KSU has a total student enrollment of 24,377 and 1,532 faculty members in 21 academic departments who teach classes at its main campus in Manhattan and at campuses across the state. The school mascot is the Wildcat and its official colors are Royal Purple and White.
KSU athletics teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are known as the Wildcats. They have been successful in a number of sports including basketball, baseball, football, track & field, golf, rowing, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In 2012-2013 Kansas State won conference championships in men’s basketball (Big 12), women’s rowing (Big 12) and men’s golf (Big 12). The football team has also been quite successful over the years winning 11 conference championships since 1902 including 3 Big 12 titles (1997-1998-2003). Notable alumni include author Mario Vargas Llosa; astronaut William Readdy; former U.S Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman; actor Nicolas Cage; architect Frank Gehry; CEO Mary Barra; singer John Mellencamp and NFL player Jordy Nelson among many others.
Kansas State University was founded on February 16th 1863 as Kansas’ land-grant college under the Morrill Act signed by President Abraham Lincoln earlier that year on July 2nd 1862. The act allowed states to sell bonds to raise funds which would then be used to establish colleges specializing in agriculture or mechanic arts along with military tactics for students seeking careers in those fields respectively . Prior to this legislation only private institutions existed meaning higher education was largely inaccessible to most Americans outside New England . Land-grant status made Kansas State one of only two public universities established west of Iowa at that time . Initially named Kansas State Agricultural College it opened its doors on September 2 1864 with just 63 students taught by 6 faculty members however due to ongoing Civil War hostilities enrollment dropped below 20 by April 1865 . In order increase enrollments post war President Jefferson Davis appointed General Richard Henry Pratt as Commandant with orders “to make soldiers outta them damn farmers” referring to rural Kansans seen viewed negatively by many Southerners during Reconstruction . This marked a shift from agriculture based instruction manual labor towards military style discipline where all students regardless their major had to complete mandatory coursework related warfare engineering alongside their chosen field study . Unsurprisingly this change generated much controversy both withinKansas itself locally but also nationally given Pratt’s strong belief ex slaves should receive same educational opportunities whites something vehemently opposed most people living US particularly South . Controversy surrounding methods aside they proved effective raising average yearly attendance 350 1867 750 1870 despite 1861 Morrill Act stipulation each state’s land-grant college must be open all races which resulted losing federal funding when refused admit African American applicants beginning late 1860s . Despite being cut off financially managed stay afloat relying endowments private donations eventually regaining government support early 1880s after backpedaling decision not allow black students resulting lawsuits from both sides until case finally reached US Supreme Court 1886 which ruled against KSAC_ now known simply KState_ stating while permitted set own admission requirements cannot do so race basis if receiving any type taxpayer money which included operating costs salaries etcetera thereby making first truly coeducational public university south Mississippi River opening door wider variety students coming different socio economic backgrounds Throughout late 19th century continued expand programs beyond original focus agriculture mechanics adding more liberal arts courses such literature science philosophy helping develop reputation well rounded institution preparing leaders various walks life Not content stop there 1890 legislature passed bill allowing graduate level studies leading granting PhD degrees 1896 becoming first university offer doctorates anywhere between Missouri Rockies Today KState recognized one nation premier research universities conducting cutting edge work agricultural sciences animal health human nutrition veterinary medicine diagnostics plant pathology entomology agronomy horticulture grain science milling science food processing technology turfgrass management landscape architecture agroecosystems ecology watershed management global food security infectious disease epidemiology cancer genomics basic biomedical sciences nanotechnology materials engineering nuclear engineering aerospace engineering secure computing electrical computer industrial manufacturing systems mechatronics technologies robotics design advanced battery technologies heat power combustion environmental sustainability policy analysis detection mitigation disaster response With ever evolving curriculum meeting changing needs workforce today tomorrow always looking ahead collaborating partners across globe ensure future success stories start right here Manhattan
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Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech at what is nowBluemont Central Parkin October 1903 just months before he became president following assassination President William McKinley making him youngest ever fill such role At time still rough frontier town located near cattle trails home Fort Riley army post Bluemont park site selected because perfect location large crowd given size available space Since then become popular spot music concerts other events thanks partly due acoustics created surrounding limestone hills