University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota (UND) is a comprehensive institution of higher learning in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Founded in 1883, it is the largest and oldest such institution in the state of North Dakota. UND has the only schools of medicine and law in the state. Enrollment in 2005 was nearly 13,200 students. The current president of the University is Dr. Charles Kupchella.

History

UND was founded six years before North Dakota even became a state. Grand Forks native George H. Walsh submitted a bill to the Territorial Legislature of Dakota Territory in 1883 that called for a university in Grand Forks. The university was viewed by many as the premier state institution to be given to a community; even more so than the state capitol.

Related Topics:
George H. Walsh - Dakota Territory

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The first building at UND was Old Main. It housed all classrooms, offices, dorm rooms, and a library. In the 1880s, UND consisted of only a few acres of property surrounded by farms and fields. At this time, the university was nearly two miles west of Grand Forks. Students living off campus had to take a train from downtown to the university.

Related Topics:
1880s - Train

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Gradually, more buildings were constructed on campus and a trolley system was built to connect the growing university to downtown Grand Forks. However, there were several major interruptions in the life of the university. In 1918, UND was the hardest hit institution in the country by the flu epidemic which killed 1,400 people in North Dakota alone. Later that year, classes were suspended so the campus could become an army base for soldiers during World War I.

Related Topics:
Trolley - 1918 - World War I

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During the Great Depression, UND provided free housing to students. "Camp Depression" consisted of many railroad cabooses each housing eight male students. Living at the camp was free for students who did manual labor on campus. "Camp Depression" students did not get regular meals from the cafeteria and had to be satisfied with only free leftovers. However, a number of Grand Forks citizens opened their homes and kitchen tables to many of these destitute young men.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - Cabooses

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After World War II, enrollment quickly grew to more than 3,000. A large amount of housing had to be built on campus as well as several new academic buildings. The 1950s saw the rise of the Fighting Sioux hockey tradition.

Related Topics:
World War II - 1950s - Fighting Sioux - Hockey

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The 1960s and 1970s saw many student protests. The largest occurred in May of 1970 when 2,000 students gathered to protest the Kent State killings. In 1975, enrollment swelled to a record 8,500. The 70's also saw the advent of the aerospace program.

Related Topics:
1960s - 1970s - 1970 - Kent State - 1975 - Aerospace

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The 1980s and 1990s were another period of growth for UND. However, the devastating Red River Flood of 1997 inundated numerous buildings on campus and forced the cancellation of the remainder of the school year. So far, the 2000s have been a decade of record enrollments and an increased emphasis on research. Also, several high profile athletic venues have opened. Current issues facing UND include how to house well over 13,000 students, how to handle parking on campus, how to increase funding for the university, and the controversy surrounding the university's athletic nickname and logo.

Related Topics:
1980s - 1990s - Red River Flood of 1997 - 2000s

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