Potential Iowa State Staffers Could Follow Matt Campbell to Penn State

Iowa State University, founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, is one of the United States' pioneering land-grant institutions, established under the Morrill Act provisions[1][2]. Located in Story County, Iowa, it began with a 648-acre farm and opened its doors to students in 1869, embracing an inclusive educational philosophy that welcomed both men and women from its first graduating class in 1872[1][3]. The university’s mission centers on creating, sharing, and applying knowledge to improve Iowa and the world, reflecting its roots in practical and liberal education[2][3]. Over time, it evolved from a primarily agricultural college to a comprehensive university known today as Iowa State University of Science and Technology, a name adopted officially in 1959 to reflect its expanded focus on engineering and technology[3]. Key achievements include establishing the nation’s first state veterinary medicine school in 1879, pioneering agricultural and mechanical engineering programs, and significant contributions to scientific innovation, such as the development of the first binary digital computer and involvement in the Manhattan Project during World War II[3][4][9]. The university has also contributed inventions like the round hay baler and Maytag blue cheese, underscoring its blend of agricultural and technological innovation[3]. Currently, Iowa State University is a major research and educational institution with over 31,000 students enrolled and a faculty of nearly 1,850. Its campus spans 1,813 acres and offers more than 300 degree programs across bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels[2]. It hosts a diverse international community from over 100 countries and an alumni network exceeding 273,000 worldwide[2]. Notable aspects of Iowa State include its progressive land-grant mission emphasizing accessibility, practical education, and community outreach through cooperative extension programs, making it a unique blend of tradition and innovation in business and technology education[1][3][4].

## Overview Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, is a major public research university and Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution. It is renowned for its comprehensive mission of teaching, research, and public service, aiming to “improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service”[5]. Penn State’s main campus is located in University Park, with 19 branch campuses across the state, a medical school in Hershey, a law school in Dickinson, and additional specialized institutions[5]. The university offers a broad range of degrees—associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional—as well as continuing education programs[5]. ## History Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State’s origins reflect its commitment to practical education[1][2]. The institution was established with a 200-acre land donation from James Irvin and was initially focused on applying scientific principles to farming[1][3]. It was renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862 and became the state’s land-grant college following the passage of the Morrill Act in 1863[2][3]. Under the leadership of President George W. Atherton in the 1880s, the curriculum expanded to include engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, and more, aligning with the broader mandate of land-grant institutions[1][2]. The university’s name changed to Pennsylvania State College in 1874 and finally to Pennsylvania State University in 1953[2][3]. ## Key Achievements Penn State has a long tradition of innovation in education and research. It was among the first institutions to integrate cooperative extension and outreach programs in the early 1900s, extending its academic influence statewide[1]. The university’s engineering program quickly became one of the ten largest in the nation[

## Overview The Big Ten Conference, officially known as the Big Ten, is one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate athletic conferences in the United States, but its influence extends far beyond sports. Founded in 1896 as the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives—also known as the Western Conference—the Big Ten was initially created to standardize rules and improve safety in college football, which was growing rapidly in popularity at the time[1][3]. Its founding members included the Universities of Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Northwestern[1][3]. ## Historical Development Over the decades, the Big Ten has undergone several significant changes. Iowa and Indiana joined in 1899, and Ohio State was added in 1912[3]. The conference experienced a notable departure when the University of Michigan left temporarily from 1907 to 1916 due to disagreements over rules, only to return and solidify the “Big Ten” moniker[1][2]. The University of Chicago withdrew in 1946, but Michigan State’s addition in 1949 restored the conference to ten members[3]. The conference remained stable for nearly 40 years before a new era of expansion began in 1990 with the addition of Penn State, followed by Nebraska in 2011, Maryland and Rutgers in 2014, and most recently, Oregon, USC, Washington, and UCLA in 2024, bringing the total to 18 members[3][5]. ## Key Achievements and Notable Aspects The Big Ten is renowned for its combination of athletic excellence and academic rigor. It pioneered the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1915, recognizing student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom[5]. The conference also established the first permanent bowl-conference affiliation with the Tournament of Roses in 1946 and introduced a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model for television proceeds in 1955[5]. Academically, th