Federal Legislation Created a System of 19 1890 Land-grant Universities
Washington, DC -- The presidents and chancellors of
the nation’s 1890 Universities have began celebrating the 130th
anniversary of the federal legislation that designated them as land-grant
institutions. The Morrill Act of 1890 established a land-grant university
system of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in states where
African Americans were banned from accessing a public higher education.
Higher
education leaders, elected officials and policymakers, business and community
leaders will join in an online celebration of the 1890 land-grant universities
anniversary, culminating with a two-hour online forum on Monday, August 31
from 1:00-3:00pm EDT that will explore the history and accomplishments of
these institutions and the important role they play in the nation’s future. Registration for that convening is open to
all here.
Over the
next week, leaders and members of the 1890 university community, policymakers,
business and community leaders will use an array of platforms to reflect on and
celebrate the legacy of these land-grant institutions, including on social
media using #Celebrate1890s. They will highlight innovative programs at the
1890 land-grant universities and their role in developing solutions for local,
regional, and global challenges. This week of activities will also include
points of pride and/or significant accomplishments for each of the 19 1890 land-grant
universities.
The
celebration will end with a virtual webinar on August 31, 2020 from 1-3 p.m. EDT.
This would have been an in-person gathering were it not for the pandemic, but
the 1890 land-grant universities are committed to having a very meaningful event
honoring their history and celebrating their current work. The webinar will
have two panel discussions. One panel will feature Makola Abdullah, President,
Virginia State University; Heidi Anderson, President, University of Maryland
Eastern Shore; Paul Jones, President Fort Valley State University; and Peter
McPherson, President of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. The webinar will also feature a second panel with
private sector leaders such as Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft; Kellie
Adesina, Director of Federal Government Affairs at Bayer Crop Science; Karis
Gutter, Manager of U.S. Government and Industry at Corteva Agriscience; Demetha
Sanders, Global Head of Inclusion & Talent Management at Cargill; and
Phillip Thomas-Wallace, Director, U.S. Federal Government Affairs at Walmart.
The
webinar will also feature remarks from prominent dignitaries such as Scott
Hutchins, Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and
Economics; Representatives Alma Adams, Vice-Chair of the House Agriculture
Committee; David Scott, Lead Sponsor of the 1890 Scholarship Program; and Sanford
Bishop, Chair of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee; Sherrod Brown, Co-Lead Sponsor of the 1890
Centers of Excellence; and Harry
Williams, President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
After 130 years, 19 universities designated as 1890 land-grant universities
continue to work together to provide essential research, education, and
Extension/public outreach that both sustains U.S. food, fiber and renewable
fuel production and addresses the challenges of our time at local, regional,
national and global levels. The 1890 land-grant universities have a legacy helping to fill a crucial
need of educating first-generation and economically disadvantaged college
students; enhancing the resilience of limited-resource farmers, families,
individuals, and underserved communities; and pioneering the most advanced and
advanced education, research, and engagement programs to improve quality of
life. With very little investment, the 1890s educate nearly 100,000 students
annually, contribute more than $4.4 billion to the local economies, and provide
pathways of opportunity for thousands of Americans.
The
land-grant philosophy is even more relevant today, given the dynamic complexity
of the socioeconomic environment where an integrated, iterative systems
approach provides the best likelihood of generating solutions that are
responsive to the complex dynamism of our environment. The 1890 land-grant
universities are a perfect platform for
addressing the three interlocking disparities of education, health, and
economic prosperity made more evident by the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead,
the 1890 institutions plan to focus on these disparities while continuing to play
a foundational role in the higher education system and in providing access and
enhancing opportunities for all citizens.
