Whence We Came: The Land-Grant Institution-Origin, Evolution, And Implications For The 21st Century

Almost all aspects of our lives are continuously affected by the results of what has come to be known as the “Land-Grant Tradition” of teaching, research, and extension. However, in light of the current philosophical trends surfacing in many land-grant universities, it is essential that educational leaders address and define the role of these institutions in the 21 st century. Using historical research methods, including the review of primary and secondary sources, this study described the contexts, circumstances, actors, and legislation that affected the genesis and evolution of land-grant institutions, and proposed selected questions about the future role and purpose of these institutions in the 21 st Century.