Introduction
What is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River? Answering this question requires delving into the sometimes colorful history of higher education in the United States. Though the Mississippi River is one of the most iconic features of the American landscape, the area to its west is just as rich in history and culture as the states it cuts between. Here are the facts uncovered about the oldest university west of the river.
Background
The Mississippi River’s expanse would seem to limit the number of schools located on the eastern side, pushing any schools of note further west. Thus, the oldest university west of the Mississippi is the Jesuit-run St. Louis University, founded in 1818. The school was originally founded as a seminary and staffed primarily by Jesuits. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, it is the oldest university in the state and the oldest northwest of the river.
In 1851, the first college to offer a primarily secular education in the area was granted a charter in the newly formed state of Iowa. This school was known as the University of Dubuque, and it retains the distinction of being the oldest university in the state of Iowa to have continuously operated since its founding. Like St. Louis University it has had an association with religious groups, in this case the Presbyterian Church.
Central College was founded in 1853 in Pella, Iowa, and it too is located only slightly to the east of the Mississippi. It holds the distinction of being the oldest non-denominational college in the state, and is the second oldest university in Iowa. It has the added distinction of having fired the first shot of the Civil War, with students from the college to the east of the river doing the honors.
Data
Since the founding of silver medal honour St. Louis University, a number of other schools have been founded in the area. The University of Nebraska was the first land-grant college found in the area, obtaining its charter in 1869. It was followed in quick succession by Northwestern University in Illinois, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Drake University in Iowa.
In more recent years, modern universities such as the University of Arkansas, University of New Mexico, Dixie State University, and Montana State University have all been opened further to the west to offer educational opportunities to students from across the largest states in the American West.
Perspectives from Experts
Spearheading the educational efforts in the American West were several religious groups and the U.S. government, with the latter providing land grants for universities thanks to the Morrill Act. The Morrill Act enabled the establishment of universities in states expanding to the west, allowing them to be established in areas with smaller populations. While the majority of universities are based in larger cities and states, this act provided numerous educational opportunities to often isolated groups of people.
Some experts have argued that the earliest educational institutions in the area, along with the Morrill Act, helped to set the foundation for economic growth, as the ability to offer quality educational institutions can help encourage businesses to flock to areas with a stronger educational base and clearly demonstrate a collective commitment to education.
Insights and Analysis
St. Louis University is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and it is one of the oldest in the entire United States. Its founding and continued growth was largely due to the hard work and dedication of the Jesuit Order, which worked tirelessly to offer a quality education to students across the river divides. In addition, the University of Dubuque and Central College offered an alternative to those seeking a predominantly secular education, and their efforts helped to drive educational achievement in the area.
It is clear that, from an early point in its history, the American West has been invested (pardon the pun), both spiritually and financially, in achieving academic excellence. Whether it is the legacy of the Jesuit Order, or the subsequent efforts of the U.S. government, few can deny the success of educational institutions west of the river. As such, it is no wonder that the area is now home to some of the most highly regarded universities in the entire country.
Contemporary Practices
Universities in the region continue to be innovative and cutting edge, with many having courses which focus on sustainability, a major trend in higher education. The University of Arkansas, for example, features courses on environmental studies and biotechnology which help students to develop their understanding of their roles within our environment. Montana State University focuses heavily on engineering, including the fields of mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering, whilst Dixie State University has a strong focus upon sport, health, and education.
More broadly, the universities in the area strive to provide students with a grounding in both knowledge and life skills. The universities in the newly-formed American West were designed as minds rather than machines, according to some experts; this means that students are provided with the support and guidance that they need to fulfil their most ambitious academic dreams and to take on the widest range of learning.
Cultural Impact
The universities in the area have had a wide-reaching impact, both politically and culturally. During the civil war, these universities played an essential role in helping the Union states to transition and stabilise back into a single, united country. Likewise, the presence of quality universities as far west as Nebraska helped to leverage support for statehood. This can be seen most clearly in the largely agricultural areas of the American Midwest and further west, where universities opened up much-needed working opportunities in the form of faculty, staff, and technical workers.
Beyond that, these western universities continue to play an important part in both local and regional life. Students, staff, alumni and friends of the schools are more likely to take part in politics and the wider community, driving forward all sorts of positive initiatives and inspiring new generations of learners.
Economic Growth
Universities in the west can be said to have driven economic growth in an extremely tangible way by providing employment and resources to the communities in which they are based. This is seen in the way that the universities have opened up connections with business and industry, enabling businesses to network, raise capital and explore the possibilities available.
What’s more, universities in the area often serve to provide research opportunities. For example, the University of Arkansas has been active in aiding pharmaceutical firms in the development of drugs, whilst Montana State University has continually shown the ability to bridge the gap between the academic and business worlds through initiatives such as the Business Education Partnership Program.
Outreach
The universities in the area have also gone beyond the traditional roles of universities to become involved in outreach programmes too. These universities have taken on a greater role in the wider community, working to support schools and other educational institutions, providing support and guidance to those in need.
More recently, many of the universities have embraced modern technology in the form of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). These provide people with the opportunity to gain access to educational resources regardless of demographics, allowing all sorts of people to benefit from knowledge and expertise in the area. Through this, they have taken it upon themselves to create opportunities that would previously have been unattainable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whilst it may be hard to judge the exact status of the oldest university west of the Mississippi, it is clear that this area has been crucial in terms of providing access to education for students across the river divide. Founded by religious figures and supported by the U.S. government, the schools in this area have made a significant contribution to American culture, national history, and even regional economic expansion.
