Blue Light and Carillon Bells Honor University's 118th Birthday

Utah State University is turning 118 years old, and the Utah State blue light atop Old Main will light the night sky Friday, March 3, to celebrate the occasion.

Utah State, originally the Agricultural College of Utah, opened its doors to a handful of students. The “AC” was created through the Morrill Act of 1862, which sought to provide a democratic education nationwide. The college was established as Utah’s land-grant institution, a charter that has led to groundbreaking research and global dissemination of new findings.

 

In 1888, students could choose from five majors or career options, today’s students select from 230 courses of study offered in 45 departments housed in seven colleges: Agriculture; Business; Education; Engineering; Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Natural Resources; and Science.

 

The official Founders Day celebration, hosted by the Utah State Alumni Association, is Friday, March 3, in the Evan Stevenson Ballroom of the Taggart Student Center on the university campus.