Montana State University is a public land-grant research university in Bozeman, Montana. Founded in 1893 as the state’s land-grant college, MSU is now one of the largest universities in the United States, with over 15,000 students and 2,000 faculty members. The university is classified as an R1 Doctoral University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
MSU offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The university is organized into seven colleges: Agriculture; Arts and Architecture; Business; Education, Health and Human Sciences; Engineering; Letters and Science; and Nursing and Allied Health Professions. MSU’s main campus is located on 1,780 acres (720 ha) in Bozeman’s Gallatin Valley, surrounded by mountains such as Bridger Mountains to the south, Tobacco Roots to the west, Hyalite Peak to the north, and Sacagawea Peak to the east. The university also operates two branch campuses: one in Billings and one Great Falls. In addition to its academic programs, MSU is home to several research centers and institutes, including the Museum of the Rockies, Montana Institute on Ecosystems Research Center (MIERC), Partnership for Environmental Technology Stabilization (PETeS), Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (MCWRU), Western Transportation Institute (WTI), National Weather Service Northern Rocky Mountain River Forecast Center (NWS-NRMRRFC), Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO)
MSU was founded as Agricultural College of the State of Montana in 1893 under Republican Governor John E. Rickards. The first class consisted of five male students enrolled on February 16th who met for classes at temporarily rented facilities downtown until construction finished on their permanent campus later that year which would come to be known as “The Quadrangle”. It was one month before women were allowed enrollment into any American college when Estelline Ziegler became ACSM’s first female student on March 14th. ACSM was unique from it’s inception being both a land-grant institution focused on academic excellence with an equal focus towards practical experience through what would become known as The Experiment Station. This focus led then President James Mantle Kinyon down a path where he believed that theory learned without practice was not only ineffective but dangerous. Kinyon hired Morrill Act architect Frederick A?sil Leighton who designed most all early buildings including Romney Gymnasium completed in 1898 which served dual purposes as men’s gymnasium/armory, Women weren’t provided access to this facility until after World War I. Also included among these early buildings are Roscoe Peacock Dormitory built in 1896, Main Hall(1893), Chemical Laboratory(1894), Animal Husbandry Building(1895), Biochemistry Building(1904), Roberts Hall(1905), Central Heating Plant & Powerhouse(1907).. These original buildings still stand today along with 12 others listed on National Register Of Historic Places: Willson Auditorium(1913); Block House No 1.(1920); Linfield Hall.(1920); Norma Eddington Rodgers Music Building.(1920); Gaines Hall.(1920); Barnard Hall.(1920); Strand Union Building.(1959). Construction continued throughout much of ACSM’s history most notably during WWII when money from New Deal Work Projects Administration helped build many structures we still use today including Haynes Pavilion & Fieldhouse built between 1938–39 which now houses Men’s & Women’s Basketball respectively along with other offices & classrooms.. Other notable post WWII projects include Wilson Library constructed between 1949–50 which replaced Main hall as library after it burned down due largely due to faulty electrical wiring according to eyewitness accounts given at time of fire .. Two years later construction began replacing Old Chemistry building destroyed by same fire finishing what we know now Romano Gymnasium 1951 followed by brick exteriors being applied around campus giving us signature look MSU has maintained since.. Following this period came large influx students coming back from war or attending school using G!.I Bill like never before leading overcrowding issues especially housing so much so trailers were brought help alleviate some pressure while new residence halls could be built such capacity issues wouldn’t arise again anytime soon.. This population boom lead emergence departments like Mass Communications established 1948 housed Lewis & Clark Journalism School until 2005 when they merged into School Of Film And Photography currently located rennovated PARTV Center opened fall 2014 providing cutting edge technology hands training aspiring media professionals.. With baby boomers attending college rates increased exponentially 1960s giving way Faculty Senate 1969 helping give faculty greater voice decision making process something that didn’t exist prior .. During mid 1970s yet another burst growth occurred reaching record numbers 1980 resulting significant changes both structurally functionally across entire campus.. Most notably change size student body lead adding schools within Colleges example Fine Arts broken off Department Art becoming Caine College Of Arts And Humanities 1977 while number graduate programs doubled decade .. As if growing pains experienced thus far weren’t enough President George Dennison embarked ambitious Centennial Campaign 1979 raising 160 million dollars private donations used endowments scholarships professorships capital improvements etcetera campaign best remembered constructing Adams Center 1984 home ice hockey team Grizzlies who’ve won 5 regular season conference championships 3 Division I championships since moving NCAA 2006.. While Adams Center remains popular spot community events musical performances commencement ceremonies alike it just one project made possible thanks Centennial Campaign there others include Renne Library expansion 1983 chemistry physics additions Ross Halls 1986 part renovation Langford Dome 1987 completing $4 million dollar project started 1981 improve football facilities further expansions Engineering Teaching Laboratories Complex 1989 Additions Jabs Halll 1993 upgrades Enterpreneurship Facility 1996 . Just 10 years ago completed $125 million dollar renovation renovating every classroom laboratory office space hallway parking lot street light anything else you can think needed work order bring up 21st century standards help better prepare students jobs market upon graduation .. That brings us current day where despite challenges posed COVID 19 pandemic administrators staff faculty continue working toward common goal ensuring each individual student reaches full potential makes positive impact society world around them