NEWS RELEASE: Frerichs Encourages State to Commemorate the Morrill Act
In an effort to celebrate Illinois’ role in agricultural and technological advancements over the last 150 years, Senator Frerichs recently introduced a senate resolution recognizing the importance of the Morrill Land Grant College Act of 1862.
“The passage of the Morrill Act led to the creation of University of Illinois in 1867,” Frerichs said. “Today the main campus in Urbana-Champaign serves over 40,000 students annually, many more thousands through online courses and its two satellite campuses, and over two million people annually through its extension services across the state. Every family in the state has had some experience with higher education or learning programs provided for them because of the University of Illinois and the Morrill Act.”
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NEWS
From the Illinois State Senate
State Senator Michael Frerichs, 52nd Legislative District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 23, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 217-782-0085
FRERICHS ENCOURAGES STATE TO COMMEMORATE THE MORRILL ACT
SPRINGFIELD, IL – In an effort to celebrate Illinois’ role in agricultural and technological advancements over the last 150 years, State Senator Michael Frerichs (D – Champaign) recently introduced a senate resolution recognizing the importance of the Morrill Land Grant College Act of 1862.
“The passage of the Morrill Act led to the creation of University of Illinois in 1867,” Frerichs said. “Today the main campus in Urbana-Champaign serves over 40,000 students annually, many more thousands through online courses and its two satellite campuses, and over two million people annually through its extension services across the state. Every family in the state has had some experience with higher education or learning programs provided for them because of the University of Illinois and the Morrill Act.”
Known for an academic standard comparable to Ivy League universities, many graduates and faculty members of the University of Illinois have gained notable accomplishments. Those include the first architectural degree in America, 25 Nobel Prizes, and structural engineering awards among many others. The University of Illinois is also known as a leader in the development of the internet due to the contributions of alumni.
“Our technological advancements and the academic excellence of the University of Illinois keep our state competitive,” Frerichs continued. “We can thank our past leaders for recognizing the importance of the land grants and the federal appropriations that gave Illinois the opportunity to be a world leader in technology, agriculture and architecture.”
Illinois College Professor Jonathan Baldwin Turner led a 20 year political movement demanding agricultural colleges in America. In 1853, the Illinois legislature enacted a resolution calling on the Illinois Congressional delegation to work towards a federal land grant measure that would fund an agricultural school in each state. Because Illinois was considered “the west” at the time, it was decided that an eastern congressman would be the best choice to sponsor the bill. Justin Smith Morrill, Congressman from Vermont, became the chief sponsor of the bill and after five years of debate, it was signed into law on July 2, 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln. In 1890, a second Morrill Act was signed into law that provided a federal appropriation for the states, which led to University of Illinois community extension services, Illinois county fairs and the State Fair.
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