University of Minnesota Diploma: A River, a State, and a Tradition of Discovery
The University of Minnesota is a public research university with a long history intertwined with that of its home state. Established in 1851, seven years before Minnesota became a state, it evolved from a territorial institution to a university system with five campuses. Its flagship, the Twin Cities campus, offers a breadth of academic opportunities coupled with a depth of research and public service.
The university’s early survival was uncertain. It was forced to close in 1861 because of financial difficulties. A temporary board, with businessman John Pillsbury among its members, guided it to settle its debts when it re-opened in 1867. Its first two students, Warren Clark Eustis and Henry Martyn Williamson, graduated in 1873. Two years later, Helen Marr Ely became its first female graduate. From these humble beginnings there followed a period of rapid expansion in teaching and research.
Its evolution as a land-grant institution established practical subjects, especially agriculture and the mechanical arts, as permanent members of the academic family. An experimental farm and agricultural research facilities helped link university education with the needs of a largely rural state.
A University that is shaped by its Environment
The Twin Cities campus consists of Minneapolis and the St. Paul area. Its scientific work and setting include the Mississippi River. St. Anthony Falls Laboratory researchers study moving water, environmental processes and renewable energy. Founded in 1938, The laboratory shows how a local geographical feature can be a resource for questions of much broader significance.
The St. Paul campus grew out of agricultural education and experimentation. The farm land provided work in horticulture, livestock and dairying, creating a link between classroom teaching and practical investigation which continues to inform the university’s activities.
One of Minnesota’s best-known research contributions is the Honeycrisp apple, released in 1991. Developed in the university’s breeding program, it became known for its crisp texture and balanced flavor. Its success is a daily illustration of university research getting to consumers far beyond campus.
Today you can pursue a University of Minnesota Diploma from campuses in the Twin Cities, Rochester, Morris, Duluth and Crookston. They have diverse academic strengths that extend its educational mission throughout Minnesota. Extension offices in all 87 counties, community clinics and research centers also bring university expertise into local communities, maintaining public service as a core part of the institution’s purpose.