MSU sesqui-
centennial calendar captures the past

By Amanda Carra

Before there was a Michigan State University, “MAC” stood for “Michigan Agricultural College” rather than a workout facility; only a few hundred people could watch a football game at “College Field”; and women’s applied science consisted of sewing classes.

As MSU approaches its 150th year, people can reminisce or become better acquainted with the university’s past through the MSU 2004 Sesquicentennial Calendar.

Each month captures a past event at MSU with a black and white photograph and a descriptive caption that provides a snapshot of the college’s progression since its very beginning when formal classes began at the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan with five faculty members and 63 students back in 1855.

The calendar photos, for example, include a picture of a group of women in a sewing class in the 1890s, with an explanation of The Women’s Course, which was introduced as a course of study that applied science to tasks associated with running a household.

Other pictures in the calendar range from the MSU Polo Club, which was originally introduced at MSU in 1927 as part of an ROTC cavalry unit activity, to the Spartan Band that started in 1870 with 10 Civil War veterans, to the 1881 “The College Speculum” editorial board with members John W. Beaumont, William J. Beal and Liberty Hyde Bailey -- recognized names without faces -- until now.

The calendar is the fourth in a series of five annual limited-edition calendars that depict various events in the university’s history.

The photographic images used for the calendars are part of the MSU photo collection held at the University Archives and Historical Collections (ARHC).

Individuals from ARHC and University Development assembled the calendar.

Archivists searched the MSU collection for photographs that would fit together to include a balance of sports, academia and buildings while avoiding redundancy with pictures in past calendars.

“We wanted a diverse image of the university over a long period of time,” said Frederick L. Honhart, ARHC director.

From 63 students in 1855 to the current 44,500 students, MSU has grown from a small agricultural college into a major public university with global reach. Capturing the spirit of this progression, the MSU Sesquicentennial Calendar highlights some of the historical events occurring throughout the years.

For purchase information and the opportunity to view the calendars, visit the Web at
www.msu.edu/~msuarhc/calendar/

The calendars are $12.95 plus a shipping and handling charge of $5 for all orders purchased through the Web site. The calendars are also available at outlets on and around campus, including MSU Stores and some East Lansing-area bookstores.

Copyright 2001 Michigan State University Division of University Relations.