Green and white flags, flyers and banners surrounded Beaumont Tower on Tuesday, when MSU officials kicked off the 150th anniversary of the university.
President M. Peter McPherson, President-designate Lou Anna Simon and MSU Board of Trustees Chairman David Porteous spoke about the importance of the anniversary, what being a land grant institution means and what MSU needs to do to maintain its international presence.
"People should be proud of what MSU has done - the values this university has embodied - the opportunity for discovery, knowledge and our international presence," McPherson said.
MSU's 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial, also commemorates the university's start as a land grant institution.
Land grant legislation was passed in 1862 to support agricultural and technical education in the U.S.
Michigan Agricultural College, which would eventually become MSU, was the first land grant college in the United States.
"We've had this history and tradition of excess in opportunity and a deep commitment to elite education for the non-elite," McPherson said. "We are an example of the democratization of higher education."
Monetary support for research given by the land grant legislation allowed MSU faculty and staff to develop some important technological advancements, Porteous said, citing hybrid corn, homogenized milk and the cyclotron.
"The role and scope of our contributions over the last 150 years show that we have never stopped being the pioneer university," Porteous said.
Simon said previous discoveries will pave the way for future international contributions by MSU.
"Our values and achievements are a promise for the future," Simon said. "We should be aware that our research agenda must be constantly changing."
McPherson said the average grade-point average for admission into the university has climbed over the years, from a 3.2 to a 3.6. Today, the president said tests and GPA shouldn't be the only factors in admission.
"The question becomes, should we be considering broader factors? As we become, by admission standards, more selective, we need to again be certain students with the most drive and potential are given an opportunity here," McPherson said, adding that admission into a university is an important factor in creating opportunity for different social classes and diversity on campus.
Tuesday's conference was the first of many university-wide activities centered around the 150th anniversary.
The unveiling of the John Hannah statue near the Administration Building, will take place on Sept. 17. On Feb. 11, a Founder's Day celebration will commence with the inauguration of Simon as MSU's 20th president.
A parade, museum exhibition and workshops on a variety of topics are also planned.
Andrew Schepers, Student Assembly chairman, said students can use the events to reflect on MSU's history and international presence.
"It's a time to be excited about the past of MSU and looking at what it truly means to be a Spartan," Schepers said.
