Kansas State University was founded February 16, 1863, as a land-grant institution under the
Morrill Act. It was initially located
on the grounds of the old Bluemont Central College. The university moved to its present site in 1875. This campus site erected a large, all-purpose building with a tall spire in 1877. For most of the 20th century and today the building houses administrative offices and has been called Anderson
Hall. Originally, this institution was named Kansas State Agricultural College, but was changed to Kansas State College in
1927. In 1955, after years of student and faculty
pleas, the name was changed to Kansas State University, to reflect its growing number of graduate programs. K-State was a strong
research intensive land grant university from 1950 to 1975. During these years Dr James McCain servered as President of the university. Buildings, residence halls and a student union were added to the campus in the 1950s. Students excelled throughout the 1960s, though
there were demonstrations against the war, which was typical of the time. Enrollment was relatively high through most of the
1970s. Unfortunately, the university took a downward spiral begining around 1976 and
lasting until 1986, when enrollment decreased to 15,500 and faculty often resigned. In 1986, Jon Wefald became president of Kansas State University. Wefald
took a very proactive, productive and personal approach to his position and the university turned around and has thrived under
his leadership. He also introduced an innovative student recruitment office and lured students from all of Kansas, the United States and Canada. He also expaned the international student program.