HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.306
Reps. Wilson, Bezotte and MacDonell offered the following
resolution:
1 A resolution to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Eastern
2 Michigan University.
3 Whereas, The Michigan House is proud to honor Eastern Michigan
4 University’s 175 years as an exemplar of equity and excellence in
5 education; and
6 Whereas, Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as
7 the Michigan State Normal School, the first institution dedicated
8 to educating American teachers west of the Allegheny Mountains; and
9 Whereas, Eastern Michigan University has long been a leader in
10 educating professional teachers, being the first American normal
11 school to offer a four-year curriculum; and
EMU 175th Anniversary 24H
 2
1 Whereas, As the first public college in Michigan to admit both
2 men and women regardless of race, Eastern Michigan University has
3 also been at the forefront in advancing equity in higher education;
4 and
5 Whereas, The Michigan State Teachers’ Association (later to
6 become the Michigan Education Association) was organized by
7 approximately two hundred teachers in 1852 at Eastern Michigan
8 University; and
9 Whereas, The Department of Special Education at Eastern
10 Michigan University is one of the oldest special education programs
11 in the country, providing classes since 1915 on how to provide
12 education designed for the needs of students with disabilities; and
13 Whereas, Eastern Michigan University has continued to broaden
14 its educational offerings and develop over time from the Michigan
15 State Normal School to the Michigan State Normal College to Eastern
16 Michigan College and finally Eastern Michigan University; and
17 Whereas, Eastern Michigan University is now a research
18 university comprising seven colleges and schools: the College of
19 Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of
20 Education, the College of Health and Human Services, the GameAbove
21 College of Engineering and Technology, the Honors College, and the
22 Graduate School; and
23 Whereas, Eastern Michigan University has been a vital part of
24 the Ypsilanti community since local citizens first raised funds for
25 its founding, and continues to be a center of community life and
26 educational excellence; now, therefore be it
27 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of
28 this legislative body commemorate the 175th anniversary of Eastern
29 Michigan University. We recognize Eastern Michigan University’s 175
 3
1 years of contributions to our state and hope that it will continue
2 in its tradition of excellence for many years to come.