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History of University of Nebraska Lincoln Discussion

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History of a College or University – University of Nebraska Lincoln

• Name and all previous names

Founded in 1869, the school was called the “University of Nebraska”, but as more

universities were chartered in Nebraska, this phrase became the umbrella term that

described them all and the original university located in Lincoln, Nebraska came to be

known as The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The football team is what has had

the most name changes at the university. When the school first started playing football in

1890, about twenty years after the school was founded, the team was called the “Old

Gold Knights”. In the following decade they were also called the “Antelopes”, and then

the “Bugeaters”, before finally settling on the “Cornhuskers” in 1902, and this is often

shortened to just the “Huskers” and is the current team name, at this time they also

officially picked the scarlet and cream colors that the team still proudly wears.

https://unl.libguides.com/c.php?g=51580&p=333558

• Current Institutional mission / vision

The university’s current mission is stated as: “The role of the University of Nebraska–

Lincoln as the primary intellectual and cultural resource for the state is fulfilled through

the three missions of the university: teaching, research, and service”. The university

pursues its missions through the Colleges of Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business,

Education and Human Sciences, Engineering, Hixson Lied College of Fine and

Performing Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications, Law, the university-wide

Graduate College, and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources which includes

the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the Agricultural Research

Division, the Cooperative Extension Division, and the Conservation and Survey Division.

Special units with distinct missions include the University Libraries, Online and Distance

Education, International Engagement, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, the Bureau of

Business Research, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, the Sheldon Museum of

Art and Sculpture Garden, the University of Nebraska State Museum, the University of

Nebraska Press, the Water Center, the Nebraska Forest Service, the Nebraska State-wide

Arboretum, and Intercollegiate Athletics.

https://www.unl.edu/about/role-

mission/#:~:text=Through%20its%20three%20primary%20missions,the%20generation%

20of%20new%20knowledge.

• Any changes through the years in their mission or focus

When the university first received the land grant to begin construction the aim of the

university was stated as “The object of such institution shall be to afford to the

inhabitants of the state the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various

branches of literature, science, and the arts." Now the main focus of the university is

teaching, research and service which is still similar to what it started out as. The major

difference between the university’s mission now and what it used to be is the cost and

reason for teaching and helping students. Back in the 1800s when it was first started,

UNL was trying to give every student in Nebraska a chance for higher education which

meant that students only paid a small fee for books and services.

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https://www.unl.edu/about/history/#:~:text=Chartered%20in%201869%20as%20a,words
%20of%20its%20founding%20documents. 
•  Traditions through the years at the institution 
The longest-standing tradition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln started in 1889 and 
is known as Ivy Day. Ivy Day is a celebration of the rising group of Seniors at Nebraska 
who have been selected as members for both Senior Class Honorary societies: Mortar 
Board (The Black Masque Chapter) and The Innocents Society. Having first been 
celebrated with song, dance and the planting of ivy, this day now celebrates Nebraska’s 
scholars and also serves as the unofficial transfer of responsibilities from the outgoing 
Senior class to the incoming Senior Class. Homecoming is also a big deal at UNL. All the 
dorms and the Greek houses compete to get the most points and to win the spirit leaders. 
Points are added depending on how many people in your dorm or Greek house attend 
Homecoming events throughout the year. The best part is the Homecoming parade. There 
is a theme every year and everyone makes a float to represent their dorm or Greek house 
and then Friday afternoon they all have a parade and get judged. 
http://tourtheten.com/nebraska/traditions/school-traditions/ivy-day/ 
https://www.unigo.com/colleges/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/reviews/describe-your-
favorite-campus-traditions 
•  The role that athletics plays at the institution 
Athletics is a huge deal at UNL, with Husker fans being some of the most loyal within 
their league despite the team not doing so well lately. Nebraska Football boasts the 
longest sellout streak in the nation currently standing at over three 
hundred consecutive games and dating back to 1962. Women’s volleyball is also a big 
sport at UNL because the team is really good right now and continues to dominate within 
their league. Football and other sports also make a lot of money for the institution, so this 
is a major aspect of the university for that reason as well. 
https://www.unigo.com/colleges/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/reviews/describe-your-
favorite-campus-traditions 
•  What the institution is known for today 
UNL is known for its fanbase and the athletics department. As previously stated, the 
Husker fanbase is extremely loyal and this makes UNL very well known for their football 
and other sports teams as well. The university likes to say that they are well known for 
“excellence in undergraduate education” and being a great research institution but in 
reality, while education is important and well done at UNL, sports and the Husker 
football team is what the school is truly known for. 
https://www.unigo.com/colleges/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/reviews/describe-your-
favorite-campus-traditions 
https://www.unl.edu/about/#:~:text=Excellence%20in%20Undergraduate%20Education,a
nd%20care%20about%20students'%20success. 

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History of a College or University – University of Nebraska Lincoln • Name and all previous names Founded in 1869, the school was called the “University of Nebraska”, but as more universities were chartered in Nebraska, this phrase became the umbrella term that described them all and the original university located in Lincoln, Nebraska came to be known as The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The football team is what has had the most name changes at the university. When the school first started playing football in 1890, about twenty years after the school was founded, the team was called the “Old Gold Knights”. In the following decade they were also called the “Antelopes”, and then the “Bugeaters”, before finally settling on the “Cornhuskers” in 1902, and this is often shortened to just the “Huskers” and is the current team name, at this time they also o ...
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