In March <strong>of</strong> 1903, House Roll No. 1 <strong>of</strong> the StateLegislature appropriated $50,000 to build a normalschool in western <strong>Nebraska</strong>. In September <strong>of</strong> that sameyear, after 111 ballots, the State Board <strong>of</strong> Educationaccepted the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kearney</strong>’s <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>of</strong> twenty acresand Green Terrace Hall at the western edge <strong>of</strong> the cityto become the site. On October 18, 1904, thecornerstone <strong>of</strong> the first building was laid; in thesummer <strong>of</strong> 1905, <strong>Nebraska</strong> State Normal School at<strong>Kearney</strong> <strong>of</strong>fered its first classes in <strong>Kearney</strong> publicschool facilities. The first classes on campus were heldthat fall as the building was being completed aroundthem.In 1921, the name <strong>of</strong> the institution was changedto <strong>Nebraska</strong> State Teachers College at <strong>Kearney</strong>. In 1963,it became <strong>Kearney</strong> State College. Both name changeswere a part <strong>of</strong> system-wide changes for the statecolleges.In 1989, however, a legislative act, LB247, movedthe institution from the State College system to the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> system. After Supreme Courtreview, <strong>Kearney</strong> State College became The <strong>University</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> at <strong>Kearney</strong> on July 1, 1991.UNK MissionThe <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> at<strong>Kearney</strong> is a public, residentialuniversity committed to be one <strong>of</strong>the nation’s premier undergraduateinstitutions with excellent graduateeducation, scholarship, andpublic service.UNK VisionThe <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> at<strong>Kearney</strong> will achieve nationaldistinction for a high quality,multi-dimensional learningenvironment, engagement withcommunity and public interests, apreparation <strong>of</strong> students to leadresponsible and productive lives ina democratic, multicultural society.IntroductionThe public, residential <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Nebraska</strong> at <strong>Kearney</strong> Is an affordable,student-centered regional hub <strong>of</strong> intellectual,cultural and artistic excellence that has been aprominent part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong>’s higher educationlandscape for more than a century.As one <strong>of</strong> four campuses <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Nebraska</strong>, UNK <strong>of</strong>fers:Access to all the opportunities and choices<strong>of</strong> a major public university.A wide range <strong>of</strong> academic programs thatlead to exciting careers.Nationally-renowned faculty.A rich and diverse campus life.A home away from home.But what truly distinguishes UNK is itscommitment to providing an outstandingeducation in a small and personal setting. It is auniversity that quickly transforms nearly 7,100students from across the globe into a close-knit,supportive community <strong>of</strong> friends; it is a placethey will forever call “home.”3