We Are Land-Grant
A bold aspiration
Oklahoma State University intends to become the nation's preeminent Land-Grant university
From their founding in the nineteenth century, Land-Grant universities have carried a distinctly American charge captured in the words of the Morrill Act of 1862:
“to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life.”
Through teaching, research and Extension, the Land-Grant institutions steward a timeless responsibility: to raise successive generations of servant-leaders; to engage as vital members of their communities; to bring research and new knowledge to better prepare students for the world they will enter; and to extend critical knowledge and expertise to meet society’s most pressing problems — the “Grand Challenges” facing civilization.
The Land-Grant's three-part mission for the 21st century
Teaching • Research • Extension
Oklahoma State University embraces its tripartite mission — deriving from its distinctive Land-Grant calling – even as it re-imagines its application for the 21st century and the Grand Challenges it presents. As it teaches, researches and extends its knowledge and expertise to communities near and far, OSU recommits to creative excellence in all three phases of its mission.
Creating a strategy for the OSU A&M system
Oklahoma State University's time is now
Oklahoma needs its Land-Grant university – today more than ever before. And OSU is poised to lead. With the benefit of historically strong leadership and the arrival of new vision on campus, Oklahoma State University will leverage its unique Cowboy Culture in the cultivation of Ideal Graduates who impact the state, influence the nation and transform the world, extending expertise and new knowledge to communities across Oklahoma and reigniting the flame of citizen service. This is what Oklahoma’s Land-Grant will do. The time for Oklahoma State University is now.
Guiding OSU’s Strategic Vision
President Hess recently launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to explore OSU’s strengths and opportunities and position it for future success. This plan will position OSU to remain a leader in higher education and a model for land-grant universities across the nation.
Throughout this process, we will engage OSU students, faculty and staff, the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, alumni, donors, community and legislative partners, and leaders from across our System campuses.
Together, we will set clear goals for what OSU will look like in the next five years.