Penn State University Archives
Penn State History
Significant
Events in the Development of
The Pennsylvania State University - 1860s
1861
- Legislature appropriated $50,000 to complete Old Main.
- First graduating class (11 men) received B.S.A. degree
(Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture) in December; first to complete
baccalaureate program at an American agricultural college.
1862
- School renamed Agricultural College of Pennsylvania,
May 1.
- Morrill Land-Grant Act signed by President Lincoln, July
2; established national system of public state universities to "promote
the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in all
the pursuits and professions of life;" emphasized agriculture and mechanic
arts.
- President Pugh wrote Succinct History of Agricultural
Education in Europe and America with account of the Agricultural College
of Pennsylvania.
- Graduate program in agricultural chemistry began under
President Pugh.
1863
- First master's degree (M.S.A.) awarded in January to
C. Alfred Smith, '61.
- Governor Curtin signed Morrill Act Acceptance Act on
April 1, designating University as Pennsylvania's land-grant institution;
state appointed commission to sell land-scrip, proceeds to form endowment
fund from which institution receives income annually; state obligated
to provide funds for maintenance; first income received, 1867; first
maintenance appropriation from state, 1887.
1864
- William H. Allen became second President; resigned 1866.
1866
- Professor John Fraser appointed third President; planned
mechanic arts curriculum and introduced term "practicum;" resigned 1868.
1867
- Three experimental farms purchased under Land-Grant Act
in Chester, Indiana and Centre Counties; first two sold in 1887.
1868
- Thomas H. Burrowes named fourth President; died in office,
1871.
1869
- Harvest Home, forerunner of alumni reunions, begun by
Burrowes as open house and farmers' implement trials; discontinued 1878.
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