Land-Grant press conference remarks by University President Graham B. Spanier

March 29, 2004
1 p.m. Land-Grant press conference
Capitol Rotunda

Thank you Representative Herman, Representative Benninghoff, Senator Corman, and friends and supporters of Penn State who are with us today for this celebration of the historic and vibrant relationship between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its land-grant university, The Pennsylvania State University.

It is fitting that as we stand together in this Rotunda, surrounded by reminders of Pennsylvania's history on the walls, ceiling and floor tiles, we celebrate a landmark outcome of that time -- the creation of a new type of university. In 1855, the Pennsylvania General Assembly saw the need for a new approach and chartered the Farmer's High School -- "an institution for the education of youth in the various branches of science, learning and practical agriculture…." Two years later, the Legislature directed this school of science to provide soil analysis for farmers statewide, free of charge, and to publish the results of their research so that all Pennsylvanians could benefit from this new knowledge.

The Farmers' High School, which you now know as Penn State, became the national model for the land-grant university -- created by an act of Congress in 1862.

Before the establishment of land-grant schools, a college education was out of reach to all but the children of the well heeled. Many of you in this Rotunda, including many of you whose names are on the House and Senate resolutions to my left and right, are, like me, children of immigrants who would not have been able to benefit from higher education if not for the creation of public colleges that have grown out of the land-grant movement.

While the term "land-grant" may be a throw back to an earlier time, its place today in American higher education is anything but archaic. The fundamental concept is to provide a diverse program of studies that is financially accessible to a broad segment of the population, and to make new knowledge available for the public good. That concept is as pertinent today as it was in 1855.

Today, Penn State -- still in partnership with the commonwealth -- serves millions of Pennsylvanians through its academic programs, research, and service.

We educate nearly 84,000 students at 24 locations across the state, and thousands more through distance education.

We conduct more than $545 million in scientific research, and continue to serve not only agricultural interests, but nearly all sectors of Pennsylvania industry.

Through our Outreach and Extension programs, we reach nearly 5 million Pennsylvanians a year.

We do this because it is our mission -- a mission that was established on these very grounds nearly 150 years ago. A mission that is the result of the vision of your predecessors in the General Assembly. Their great foresight created an institution of the people and for the people.

On behalf of our students, more than 466,000 living alumni, and the innumerable beneficiaries of The Pennsylvania State University, I thank you for your continuing support of the people's university.

For more information on Penn State as a land-grant university, visit http://live.psu.edu/landgrant