Universities used to be for certain kinds of people.

In 1862, Congress passed the Morrill Act, creating a new kind of university. Iowa was first to accept the law's provisions.

The land-grants were founded on three radical ideas . . .

Idea No. 1: Higher ed should be open to all --- women, minorities, the working class.

Idea No. 2: Universities should teach practical subjects, like farming, engineering and home ec.

Idea No. 3: Universities should share knowledge with people throughout their states. Iowa State profs started the first traveling farmer institutes and "seed corn trains."