On Jul. 26, 1848, Nelson Dewey, Wisconsin’s first governor, signed the act that formally created the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The university traces its roots to a clause in the Wisconsin Constitution, which decreed that the state should have a prominent public university.

The first classes were held on February 5, 1849, in a temporary location near the state capitol. The initial curriculum focused on classical subjects such as history, mathematics, and literature. As the university developed, upperclassmen could elect more specialized courses, including law, chemistry, economics, and politics.

As a public land-grant university and major research institution, their students, staff, and faculty engage in a world-class education while solving real-world problems.