Kansas State University

Kansas State University (K-State), established in 1863 in Manhattan, Kansas, is the state's first public institution of higher learning and the nation's first operational land-grant university. Founded as the Kansas State Agricultural College, it was the first public university in the U.S. to admit both men and women equally. The university's mission, rooted in the Morrill Act of 1862, emphasized providing accessible education in agriculture, science, military science, and engineering. Over the years, K-State has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering over 250 undergraduate programs and a wide array of graduate degrees across various disciplines.

K-State's main campus spans 668 acres and is renowned for its historic architecture, including Anderson Hall, built between 1877 and 1885, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The university also operates campuses in Salina and Olathe, focusing on aerospace and technology, and graduate-level research in bioenergy and food safety, respectively. The Manhattan campus is home to several research facilities, including the Biosecurity Research Institute, the James R. Macdonald Laboratory, and the NASA Center for Gravitational Studies in Cellular and Developmental Biology.

Student life at K-State is vibrant, with over 400 student organizations and a strong tradition in athletics. The Kansas State Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference, with notable programs in football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball. The university's mascot, Willie the Wildcat, has been a symbol of school spirit since 1947. Additionally, K-State's student-run radio station, Wildcat 91.9, has been recognized as the nation's top college radio station, winning the Best College/University Radio Station award from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System in 2023.