Eastern Michigan University History

Michigan State Normal School was founded in 1849, just 12 years after the Michigan achieved statehood. It was the first institution designated by the state legislature to educate public school teachers. It was the sixth teacher education institution established in the nation.

The school’s name changed several times from Michigan State Normal College in 1899; to Eastern Michigan College in 1956; and finally to Eastern Michigan University in 1959. During its first 100 years, the institution certified thousands of teachers and developed the broad-based curricula that ultimately prepared it for university status.

The University currently serves more than 23,000 students who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 200 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health and Human Services, Technology and the Graduate School.

Eastern Michigan University is located in historic Ypsilanti; about 10 miles east of Ann Arbor, 40 miles west of Detroit and just 20 minutes form Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It is an area rich in academic, research, technological and recreational resources. The University also has sites in Livonia, Jackson, Traverse City, Flint, Detroit and Monroe.

Eastern Michigan University is committed to excellence in teaching through traditional and innovative approaches, the extension of knowledge through basic and applied research, and creative and artistic expression.

EMU Foundation Mission

The EMU Foundation is an institutionally-related nonprofit corporation that solicits and manages funds on behalf of Eastern Michigan University. Its primary mission is to provide additional support to the students, programs, services and educational community of EMU. The EMU Foundation was created in 1989 by the EMU Regents, and is governed by an independent Board of Trustees that elects its own officers. All trustees serve as volunteers.