Amidst the uninhabited wilderness of Mid-Michigan, a hastily constructed, temporary state Capitol arrived in Lansing 156 years ago.

Seven years later - in 1855 - the Agriculture College of the State of Michigan was established less than three miles away in the vast lands of what would become East Lansing.

Both farmer-led institutions planted roots in the same neighborhood, igniting a unique relationship that over time would bond two giants in the state of Michigan - state government and MSU.

Linked by their close proximity and their broad ability to promote the prominence of Michigan, the institutions came of age together.

The temporary, wood-frame Capitol building endured through the Civil War. In 1879, a new, grander building was dedicated. This week, lawmakers are marking the 125th anniversary of that Capitol.

In Lansing, lawmakers have long fought to appropriately tackle the issues of the times.

In East Lansing, faculty at MSU have worked to keep pace with the changing needs of students.

Beyond the parallels in the evolution of these institutions rests a deep history that ties together state government and MSU.

"You are linked with agriculture," said Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Lansing-based Inside Michigan Politics. "For years, farmers ran the Legislature and there still is a strong influence. Republicans represent rural areas where the farms are, and that has to be good for MSU and vice versa."

MSU President M. Peter McPherson said the close proximity gives the university an opportunity for "engaging in public policy issues."

"It isn't as much that we try to influence individual decisions, but we are a huge research land-grant school for the state government," McPherson said.

State Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, who represents MSU, said that relationship has been helpful to both the university and lawmakers.

"It gives legislators a little bit of a window into the university that they wouldn't have otherwise," Bernero said. "MSU is more in the limelight than a lot of other universities because they are right here, right in the shadow of the Capitol."

MSU's influence at the Capitol has been especially important during the recent budget crunch that has caused deep cuts to higher education funding.

Explaining that legislators often rely on research conducted on campus to make decisions, Bernero said "MSU has stepped up to the plate over the years."

On MSU's Web page and in recruiting material, the university boasts about its close proximity to the Capitol to attract students. The dome of the Capitol can even be seen from various campus rooftops.

Students agree there is substantial benefit to being within earshot of the policy makers.

"It is an important opportunity for student voices to be heard," said Laura Sorensen, an activist and co-director of the Women's Council. Last year, Sorensen joined many students in using their access to the Capitol to protest the Iraq war.

The Capitol is close enough to campus for activists to hold marches, protests and vigils, or for students to meet directly with lawmakers - and do it on a regular basis.

"I've had the opportunity to go down to the Capitol and speak directly to my representative," Sorensen said. "It is exciting because we have the opportunity to build relationships."

Those relationships extend into jobs for some. Dozens of lawmakers - past and present - have graduated from MSU. Many began experiencing political life as students.

MSU has programs through James Madison College that connect students with internship opportunities to help jump-start political careers. For aspiring journalists, the School of Journalism's Capital News Service allows students to work as political reporters.

Jared English, ASMSU Academic Assembly Chairperson, spent a summer working for the Michigan Democratic Party. ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government.

"I have a number of friends who work in some role at the Capitol and they can do it as internships or jobs, whereas students from other schools don't have that opportunity," said English, an international relations and business senior.

As an MSU student, state Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, was an intern in the office of the House Speaker. Not long after graduating, she successfully was elected the representative of the district that covers her alma mater.

"That is an experience that you couldn't have at any other university in the state," she said. "It really got me interested in public policy."

While access to the Capitol allows students to be heard, some say it can have drawbacks.

Lawmakers took notice last March when revelers caused about $40,000 in damage to East Lansing and campus, Bernero said.

"The spotlight is on MSU because they are right here - and that can be good or bad," Bernero said. "During the riots, there was a lot of comments and feedback here. I think the university is subject to more scrutiny."

McPherson agrees that lawmakers closely watch MSU.

"There is no question that what we do here is known by the Legislature," he said. "The Legislature reads The State News and I don't have any question that we are held to more close scrutiny and accountability because of our physical presence."

But in the same vein, "If we have a good story to tell, we are in a better position to tell it."

East Lansing officials say the city benefits economically and culturally as the closest major municipality to the capital.

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said his city often finds itself "taking the lead" on issues that impact local governments.

Meadows said, "The fact that we are right here, and in a moment's notice we can be downtown, has been helpful for that effort."

Steve Eder, The State News enterprise reporter, can be reached at ederstev@msu.edu.