Iowa State University is one of the first land grant universities in the United States, opening its doors in 1869. Their mission to provide education to all, regardless of gender or financial status, makes it a truly special and historical place. They believed education should be shared with those outside the borders of campus, anyone should have the opportunity to receive an education, and agriculture, science, and engineering should be taught amongst traditional education. The first graduating class of Iowa State University was in 1872. It was made up of twenty-six students (24 men and 2 women). In 1879, they went on to establish the nation’s first veterinary medicine school, and in 1959, it was officially renamed ‘Iowa State University College of Science and Technology’. The revolutionary focus on science and technology has sparked various research patents and inventions, including the first binary computer, the round hay baler, Maytag blue cheese, and much more.

Iowa State University is the birthplace of the Department of Energy Ames National Laboratory.

To learn more about the history of Ames Laboratory and the contribution of ISU researchers to the Manhattan Project check the following video.