Academic Host - Texas A & M

Texas A&M is the state's first public institution of higher education. With a current student body of more than 50,000 and a physical campus of more than 5,200 acres, Texas A&M is also among the nation's largest universities. Its origins, however, were much humbler. Texas A&M owes its origin to the Morrill Act, approved by the United States Congress on July 2, 1862. This act provided for donation of public land to the states for the purpose of funding higher education, whose "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 mechanic arts."

The State of Texas agreed to create a college under the terms of the Morrill Act in November 1866, but actual formation didn't come until the establishment of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas by the Texas state legislature on April 17, 1871. A commission created to locate the institution accepted the offer of 2,416 acres of land from the citizens of Brazos County in 1871, and instruction began in 1876. Admission was limited to white males, and, as required by the Morrill Act, all students were required to participate in military training.

Texas A&M underwent many changes in the 1960s under the presidency of Gen. James Earl Rudder. Under his tenure the college diversified, opening its doors to African-Americans and formally admitting women. Participation in the Corps of Cadets was also made voluntary. In 1963 the Texas state legislature officially renamed the school to Texas A&M University, with the "A" and "M" being a symbolic link to the school's past but no longer officially standing for "Agricultural and Mechanical".

Since that time Texas A&M has flourished and has become one of the nation's premier research universities. Along with the University of Texas and Rice, it is one of only three Tier 1 universities in the state. In 1971 and 1989 respectively, Texas A&M was designated as a Sea Grant and a Space Grant institution, making it among the first four universities to hold the triple distinction of Land Grant, Sea Grant, and Space Grant designations.

While membership in the Corps of Cadets became voluntary in 1965, it has nonetheless continued to play a key role in the university. The Corps is often referred to as the "Keepers of the Spirit" and "Guardians of Tradition." Texas A&M remains one of only six senior military colleges, and the Corps is the largest uniformed body outside the national service academies. As such it has historically produced more officers than any other institution in the nation other than the academies.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum opened in 1997 on West Campus, making Texas A&M one of only a few universities to host a presidential library on their campus. President Bush maintains an active role in the university, hosting and participating in special events organized through the Library.

Texas A&M

Support University - Swanson School of Engineering

Since 1846, the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has been home to innovative processes and designs that have shaped our state, our country, and our world, both in the past and today.

The school continues its founding commitment to industrial, electrical, and mining engineering, the fields the world relies on for its energy and raw materials. The Swanson School also focuses on our health, our planet, and the ingenuity that keeps us competitive with recognized programs in bioengineering, sustainability, nanoscience and engineering, energy, manufacturing, and product innovation.

Our students explore the molecular world of nanoscience, and the multinational world market with programs based in South America, Europe, and Asia. The Swanson School of Engineering provides hands-on education in these areas, preparing engineering graduates through actual experience to enter exciting careers in advanced research and industry. Students find their place in the workforce through our established co-op program and working partnerships with engineering's top companies. Our faculty and staff represent countries around the world and are internationally recognized for providing excellent educational programs, for conducting cutting edge research, and for creating the partnerships that shape the industry.

The mission of the Swanson School of Engineering is to produce highly qualified engineers and useful creative research and technology through academic excellence. The faculty and staff at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering are recognized for providing excellent educational programs, for conducting leading edge research, and for creating innovative industrial partnerships.

History
The University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering has a long and distinguished history. The earliest engineering courses at Pitt were established in response to the growth of Western Pennsylvania during the early industrial revolution, with the first degrees of "Engineer" awarded in 1846, thereby establishing Pitt as one of the nation's sixth earliest engineering programs.

The involvement of Pittsburgh industry in the years surrounding the Civil War transformed a regional industrial base into one with strong international significance, and the University responded to the need. In 1868, specialized degrees in Civil and Mechanical Engineering were initiated, with Mining Engineering following in 1869, and Electrical Engineering in 1890. In 1909, the Department of Metallurgical Engineering was established, followed by the Department of Chemical Engineering and the world's first Department of Petroleum Engineering in 1910. Also in that year, the school created one of the nation's first undergraduate Cooperative Education Programs. Pitt Engineering's tradition of innovative programming resulted in the establishment of one of the nation's first Industrial Engineering Departments in 1921. Our latest department, Bioengineering, was established in 1998.

Among the many prominent individuals associated with the early history of the school were Samuel Pierpont Langley and Reginald A. Fessenden. Langley, who is credited with developing the engineering science of aerodynamics during his 24 years at Pitt, designed the first heavier-than-air craft capable of flight and greatly influenced the Wright Brothers. Fessenden, brought to Pittsburgh by George Westinghouse as the first electrical engineering department head, obtained more than 300 patents. Through his pioneering studies with voice transmission, he is now credited with being the "Father of Radio" and made the first broadcast of the human voice in 1906.

In 2007, the school became the Swanson School of Engineering after an historic event: John A. Swanson (PhD '66) made the largest individual philanthropic commitment in the history of the University of Pittsburgh. As a result of his remarkable generosity, which now exceeds $41 million, the Board of Trustees presented a formal resolution on February 29, 2008, announcing the changing of the school's name to the John A. Swanson School of Engineering.

Currently, the Swanson School is embarking on the $100 million Benedum Hall Transformation Plan, which includes a complete renovation of lab, classroom, and office space in Benedum Hall and the addition of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, a three-story building that connects Benedum Hall across the plaza to the auditorium.

University of Pittsburgh