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Aggies Forever

University’s history

NMSU has a long and storied history. NMSU began as Las Cruces College in the fall of 1888. In 1889, it was established as the land-grant Agricultural College and Experiment Station, which officially opened on January 21, 1890. During its first full academic year, the college became known as the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and was the first degree-granting institution in the Territory. In 1960, the constitution of New Mexico formally recognized the institution as New Mexico State University. Today, NMSU is a major institution of higher education that services the needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension education and public service. Throughout its history, the university has transformed to meet the ever-changing needs of New Mexicans and preserved the traditions of its land-grant origin.

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Legacy

NMSU is the oldest public institution of higher education in the state and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. It is comprised of multiple campuses and extension and research centers and reaches all 33 counties in New Mexico. Graduates of NMSU have left their mark on the world, many of them are the first in their family to go to college. Currently, NMSU has over 140,000 Aggie Alumni and growing.