University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

700 East Seventh Street, Saint Paul, MN

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in St. Paul/Minneapolis and is a public research facility.

History

Though the University of Minnesota was founded on February 25, 1851, no students were welcomed within its halls until 1867. Enrolment was detained because of the American Civil War, as well as financial challenges. However, in 1867, John Sergent Pillbury, a University regent, state governor and senator, loaned the school a sizeable sum and used his political position to allow it to become the recipient of a Morrill Land Grant. The first president, William Watts Folwell was inaugurated on December 22, 1869. The First Bachelor Degree was awarded in 1873. In 1888, Doctor of Philosophy degrees were awarded.

The original Minneapolis campus was located on the Mississippi River, overlooking St. Anthony Falls. It was upgraded to a college from a preparatory school in 1869.

Minneapolis Campus

Today, the University's Minneapolis campus is located on both banks for the Mississippi River; the East Bank being the main campus. East Bank is divided into five areas. They are:

• The Athletic Area
• The Gateway Area
• The Health Area
• The Knoll Area
• The Mall Area

The West Bank first saw major development during the 1960s. West Bank Art Center consists of:

• The Barbara Barker Center for Dance
• Ferguson Hall
• Regis Center for Art
• Ted Mann Concert Hall
• Rarig Center

St. Paul Campus

The St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in the Falcon Heights Suburb. Social Sciences and the College of Food are located here. The Washington Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi allows students easy access between the East and West Banks. Gopher way tunnels allow students access to some buildings during inclement weather. The University has its own law enforcement in and around campus for student safety.

Academics

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is compromised of sixteen colleges and schools. Examples include:

• College of Biological Sciences
• College of Design
• College of Food, Agriculture and National Resource Sciences
• College of Veterinary Medicine
• School of Nursing
• School of Dentistry
• Law School
• College of Education and Human Development

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities ranks as second largest for higher education in the Midwest and offers degrees in a large variety of fields.

Athletics

The intercollegiate teams at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities are called the Golden Gophers. Goldy Gopher is the campus mascot. Teams include:

• Basketball
• Football
• Hockey
• Wrestling

Student Life

There are a wide variety of academic, cultural, entertainment and professional opportunities at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. There are over 600 co-curricular, cultural and educational organizations from which students can choose. Examples include:

• ACLU Law Student Group
• Adaptive Sports Club
• Agricultural Education Club
• AHC Multicultural Society
• Animal Science Graduate Club
• Biological Science Research Club
• Black Motivated Women
• Cardiovascular Disease Interest Group
• Champions for Christ
• Disabled Student Cultural Center
• Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
• Fisheries and Wildlife Club
• Gophers Dairy Club

There are hundreds of others and also a wide variety of fraternities and sororities.

Local Community

There are a wide variety of art galleries and museums in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that offer free admission.  Meanwhile, other attractions in the Twin Cities metropolitan area offer free admission, as well.  Examples in the area include free attractions such as:

• Minneapolis Institute of Art
• Minnesota State Capitol
• TRACES Museum Center for History and Culture-donation requested
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
• Minnehaha Depot
• Museum of Russian Art
• Bell Museum of Natural History - free only on Sunday

Be sure to check out The Museum Adventure Pass, which is a free pass handed out by libraries in the Twin Cities area.

If you enjoy an adventure, be sure to visit Guthrie Theater. The building is beautiful, has glass floors and fascinating spaces. The Endless Bridge spans the spectacular Mississippi River.  From fly fishing to shopping, fun and nightlife hotspots, there is something for everyone in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.