Act established schools to serve local communities, advance the public good
The Morrill Act of 1862, commonly known as the Land-Grant College Act, is one of America’s greatest ideas, and it shaped the University’s values of making higher education more easily accessed for more Americans.
Founded in 1874, our University was established as one of the nation’s land-grant institutions under the Morrill Act of 1862, which was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 2. The act provided for a land-grant institution in each state of the Union. The designation allowed for use of funds generated by the sale of federal lands to establish and operate universities.
Today, the University fulfills its land-grant mission to the betterment of humanity, the environment and Nevada through education, research and outreach. It has a positive economic impact of more than $1.34 billion annually to the State of Nevada, and it:
- Makes education affordable for students and prepares them for the Nevada job market
- Helps people, communities and small businesses with programs throughout the state
- Partners for innovation with corporations