Brief History of Purdue University

Purdue began with President Lincoln signing the Morrill Land Grant Act on July 2, 1862. Three years later, the General Assembly of Indiana voted to take advantage of the public land for colleges to teach agriculture and mechanical arts and on May 6, 1869, accepted John Purdue's donation of land and money for Purdue University. Six instructors taught 39 students when school opened on September 16, 1874. The first president was Richard Owen. The first graduating class had 14 students. Current enrollment now exceeds 39,100 students on the West Lafayette campus and a total system-wide enrollment of more than 70,400 on all campuses and Statewide Technology locations.

Board of Trustees

A 10-member board governs the University. This board decides major policies and makes appointments, including that of the University president. Seven members, including one student, are appointed directly by the governor of Indiana, and the Purdue Alumni Association nominates the other three.