Many scholars believe that the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862 was one of the most important pieces of legislation in the history of our country.
In 1863 Penn State became one of the nation's first and Pennsylvania's only land-grant institution. The Morrill Act gave Penn State a three-part mission of teaching, research and service.
Today, universities continue to honor the legacy and the historical significance of the Morrill Act nearly 150 years later during a Penn State land-grant conference. Scholars from across the country gathered to dissect the history of land-grants and look to the future during a time of economic uncertainty.