[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, it is my privilege today to commend the 
University of Minnesota, its students, staff faculty, alumni and 
supporters for its long history of excellence and accomplishments. The 
University of Minnesota celebrates its 150th anniversary this year as 
one of the Nation's great public universities.
  The University was established in 1851, six years prior to the 
founding of Minnesota as a state. It began as a small preparatory 
school and operated without State or Federal funding.
  During the Civil was the University went through a series of trying 
financial times, but was greatly lifted when Congress passed the Morril 
Land Grant Act in 1862.
  Signed by President Abraham Lincoln, this act gifted over 100,000 
acres of land for public use in Minnesota, and called for the creation 
of a perpetual public fund.
  The interest on this fund was to go towards, in the historic words of 
the document, ``the endowment, support, and maintenance of at least one 
college where the leading object shall be, without excluding other 
scientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to 
teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and 
mechanical arts . . . in order to promote the liberal and practical 
education of the industrial classes in several pursuits and professions 
in life.''
  In 1869 William Watts Folwell was inaugurated as the first president 
of the University. At that time there were only nine faculty members 
and 18 students. Today the University of Minnesota system is home to 
nearly 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students under the direction 
of President Mark Yudof.
  As a land-grant institution, the University of Minnesota with its 
campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris and the Twin Cities has earned 
distinction as one of the most prestigious and competitive public 
university systems in the nation.
  Since the first two bachelors of arts degrees were awarded in 1873, 
the university has granted over 549,000 undergraduate degrees and 
25,000 Ph.D.'s in over 373 fields of study. Such rich academic 
diversity has allowed for students to walk in step with their dreams.
  The University of Minnesota has fostered an environment for high-
standards of education, academic achievement, and public service. It 
conducts some 300 programs serving children and youth, and students and 
staff of the University work with over 700,000 Minnesotans every year 
on issues ranging from agricultural research, health and medical 
sciences, to social development. The University of Minnesota is also a 
major source of employment, providing work for more than 100,000 
Minnesotans.
  As a major research institution the University has produced scholars 
of national and international distinction, including 13 faculty members 
and alumni who have been awarded Nobel Prizes, including the Nobel 
Peace Prize.
  Alumni, faculty and staff have also developed a strong tradition of 
giving back to the University, beginning with historic philanthropist 
and University Regent, John Sargent Pillsbury in 1867, and continuing 
today. Private donations, grants and scholarship funds, along with 
Federal and State funds help the University of Minnesota to provide 
students with the necessary resources for a world-class education.
  As a Senator from Minnesota I take pride in congratulating the 
University of Minnesota, with its solid and colorful academic history, 
on its 150th year of excellence. The State of Minnesota and the nation 
shall continue to benefit greatly from the efforts of this fine public 
university.
  Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I join the senior Senator from Minnesota, 
Paul Wellstone in honoring the 150 year anniversary of the University 
of Minnesota. The many milestones so aptly described by Senator 
Wellstone illustrate the distinguished history of one of America's 
great land grant schools. From the most humble beginnings in 1851, 
before Minnesota could call itself a State, the University established 
itself, as a small preparatory school. Today, it is a premier land 
grant University, with a major medical school, an Institute of 
Technology, School of Agriculture and three campuses in greater 
Minnesota. The University serves nearly 60,000 undergraduate and 
graduate students.
  The value of any great learning institution is measured both within 
its hallowed, academic halls as well as beyond the geographic borders 
of a central campus. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has long 
been considered one of the Nation's top 25 public research 
universities. The University also serves a large and diverse state by 
reaching young people through the campuses at Morris, Crookston, and 
Duluth. In addition, the University has formed a unique partnership 
with the Rochester Community and Technical College, and Winona State 
University to form the University Center at Rochester.
  Each of these campuses has its own identity, and adds a unique 
dimension to the University, and to the State. Rochester, the newest 
campus, is a joint venture with three different institutions and two 
academic systems. Because of this partnership, a student attending the 
University Center at Rochester can pursue a doctorate program or 
certificate. Established in 1959, the University of Minnesota, Morris 
is today considered one of the top three public liberal arts 
institutions in the country. University of Minnesota, Crookston 
attracts nearly 3,000 students, earning one of U.S. News and World 
Report's Best College rankings and Wired Magazine's Most Wired Campus 
Designation. And, the University of Minnesota Duluth, ranked as one of 
the 12 best Midwest regional public universities, serves the academic 
needs of the State with a comprehensive undergraduate and graduate 
program. Equally important, UMD is a vitally active partner in the 
economic development of Northern Minnesota.
  We celebrate the University's Sesquicentennial by looking back 
through the long lens of a history rich with the achievements that have 
informed the people of our great State. These are the accomplishments 
in which the University of Minnesota played a key role. They include 
helping Minnesotans develop a strong agricultural economy, building a 
global reputation in medical sciences, establishing the relationship 
between the University's intellectual resources and community service, 
and forging an academic base, providing the brainpower that has carried 
Minnesotans into the new millennium. While we celebrate the 
University's past, we recognize that it is a part of our present and 
our future. It educates our children, grows our economy, and evaluates 
our decisions with sound research and good science.
  I join all Minnesotans in celebrating the University of Minnesota's 
150th anniversary. I know there will be many more productive years to 
come.

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