Morrill-Notes 7/22

Justin Morrill: Land for Learning Notes

• Genes were limited to fruit and vegetables before the 19th century.
• More practical subjects had to wait until 1862 to change for good; these involved agriculture and engineering.
• In 1862 the American Civil rage was high.
• Vermont, Act through congress for higher education.
• The result would be 135 years later, universities would be all over
• Morrill started that Morrill Land Grant College Act
• He missed out on a college education; instead he received a country education.
• Library filled with books and he wanted everyone to be able to learn.
• Became a merchant in his home town and he taught himself.
• Morrill became an expert on what he needed to know. 
• Retired at age 38 and designed a cottage; extensive garden: experimental agriculture.
• In 44 the Wiig party had other plans for him, farming had to be turned aside for the rest of his life. 
• Morrill was 12 years in the House of Representative; over 30 years in the Senate.
• Because Morrill served so long, he truly was a representative for his people. 
• He was extremely thrifty.
• Well known national political figure.
• Took the country through reconstruction and beyond. 
• No-nonsense hard worker. 
• If it was important to him, he would study it. 
• The big issue was access to higher education; formal education ended after elementary school.
• Others had proposed similar ideas, but never got anywhere.
• The colleges did not have desire to teach agriculture and some sciences.
• For practical people.
• Lands were changing, Morrill knew that others (Belgium) were taking care of lands better than Americans, better this knowledge would be helpful for those in America.
• Education was a great way to do that.  
• Finding ways to help others.
• Faith in the working class to move forward with his plan.
• Tried twice to get the plan in motion.
• With the Civil War on the horizon, it just wasn't the right time according to Congress.
• Morrill bill passed both houses with one more hurdle
• Southerners told the president during the time to veto the bill.
• 2 1/2 years later with the new president, Abraham Lincoln, there was success. 
• Lincoln, "Education is the most important subject."
• 30,000 acres to each state to establish Land Grant programs.
• Grants pay for teachers and materials.
• Some states channeled their money into other or new schools.
• Lean enrollments, not enough qualified teachers.
• Disagreements on how and what to teach.
• The inclusion of women was in 1870.
• Three decades of agriculture struggled; offered high school and college classes.
• Land grants began to expand their programs.
• "Aggies would be treated as secondhand students" because people still weren't sure about the Land Grant colleges.
• Inclusion for population for more races.
• Schools that denied this would lose their funding.
• 1890 Schools-confronted with huge problems; serious lack of funding. 
• Because of lack of funding students had to do most of the work in maintaining the schools. 
• 3 of 17 schools at first, but by 1940, 15 were fully accredited. 
• 700,000 students; 60,000 black students each year. (today)
• New Age elimination between haves and have nots.
• Farming-agricultural science and engineering still go the lack of respect they needed.
• Worked on homemakers to increase quality.
• Education for the people, then you have to bring education to the people. (Extensions)
• America is the most successful country in the world in agriculture-all colleges of agriculture. 
• Engineering out passed agriculture for students. 
• 31% to 70% in Land Grant schools.
• Always included liberal arts; these were more popular than the other schools.
• Started to incorporate other classes into student classes. 
• Have to have liberal arts and the sciences have to have both.
• First half proved the point of Land Grant institutions.
• Depression farm business management condition of the nation.
• World War ll Land Grants the opportunity to really shine.
• ROTC Armed Forces getting specialized training.
• Training, we would have been far behind.
• 2 year basic program.
• Food demand helped during the time of the war. 
• Aironotics and technology improvement from engineers.
• GI bill for free college tuition. 
• Needed more, not less to compete with the enemy.
• Land Grants took a more global view, 1950.
• Food, clothing, power to underdeveloped countries.
• Students across the globe traveled here.
• Over 500,000 out of country students attend land grants.
• Learning matters from all points of views.
• Remained strong through the Cold War Era.
• 1970s tribal colleges started to see money. 20 years for them to be admitted into the land grant college community.
• Expansions of progress to provide land grant themes.
• Large number of people in agriculture, better life for cattle is a hope.
• Have a lot of dreams if they had resources.
• Morrill delighted to provide for the nation.
• Dignified man, stepping out of character, warm and friendly person.
• Served longer than anyone before him.
• Pushed for additional funding even with frail health.
• Buried at the nation's capitol.
• He knew his act would be good for the country. 
• Morrill Act was large enough to evolve
• Education must vary for the variation of life.
• Variety of interpretation-keeps being fresh.
• These colleges have impacted our nations.
• Over 20 million graduates and 5,000 degrees.
• We all have something to contribute. 
• Constant working out what is needed.
• Without brain power, progress does not happen.
• Education is tied to practical ideas.