[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 51 (Friday, March 22, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E285-E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY'S 175TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 2024

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Eastern Michigan 
University in recognition of its 175th anniversary. An R2 Doctoral 
University for High Research Activity, Easton Michigan University has 
spent the last 175 years educating the future leaders of this nation 
and its contributions to society are worthy of commendation.
  Established as Michigan State Normal School in 1849 as the first 
normal school outside of New England, the school opened its doors with 
122 enrolled students on March 29th, 1853, and quickly established a 
reputation of training excellent educators. By 1899 the school had 
developed the first four-year curriculum for a normal school in the 
United States and Michigan State Normal School became Michigan State 
Normal College. The college continued its important mission in 
educating students through World War II, the Great Depression, and 
World War II, and later became Eastern Michigan University in 1959 
after establishing its graduate school. Following the transition to 
university status, an international student exchange program was 
organized with Britain in the early 1970s to allow students to gain 
broader perspectives and experiences.

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  With the original seven colleges and schools in the arts and 
sciences, business, education, health and human services, engineering 
and technology, honors college, and the graduate school, Eastern 
Michigan University has produced numerous notable alumni over its 
storied history. The university's more than 145,000 living alumni 
encompass several state governors including Michigan's 31st Governor 
Fred W. Green, State Supreme Court Chief Justices including Marilyn 
Jean Kelly and Marvin B. Rosenberry, U.S. Senators Royal Copeland and 
Charles E. Potter, numerous U.S. Representatives, and former U.S. 
Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater. The University Athletics 
Department has also produced several notable professional athletes in 
the National Football League, as well as National Basketball 
Association Hall of Fame player George Gervin.
  Today, Eastern Michigan University's main campus sits in Ypsilanti, 
Michigan, with over 800 acres available to more than 13,000 students 
across the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Since the 1970's, 
the university has offered courses in Jackson, Michigan, and has since 
expanded to seven satellite campuses as well as the recently added 
online course program. Additionally, several programs have been added 
to the university including the Centers for Corporate Training, the 
World College, and doctoral programs in educational leadership, 
technology, and psychology. Outside the classroom, the Eagles have 
found success in their three NCAA Division 2 national championships and 
13 NAIA Division 1 national championships in baseball, men's cross 
country, men's swimming and diving, and men's indoor and outdoor track 
and field. The Eagles now compete at the NCAA Division 1 FBS level of 
collegiate sports and have twice been NCAA Division 1 national runner 
up and have made four appearances in the NCAA Division 1 men's 
basketball tournament.
  It is inspiring to see everything that Eastern Michigan University 
has accomplished over the past 175 years and the university's 
incredible growth is a testament to the quality education and broad 
opportunities it continues to provide to students. I am eager to see 
all that the university accomplishes in the years to come.

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