The federal government's involvement in higher education is discussed, and the part that the national government has played in American history since colonial days is briefly traced. Four major points are made about developments before World War II: (1) the federal government exercised some role in higher education since the earliest days and has…

From institutional histories, this article documents misconceptions that the early land-grant colleges were unique in the land-grant heritage, derived from student demand, "revolutionized" post-Civil War agriculture and industry, and enjoyed state favor. Our neglect to understand their dominant national role and incremental educational…

Discusses public policy controversies unique to West Virginia's only historically black land-grant institution, West Virginia State College, and describes the mission and history of the school in detail. Efforts to regain its historically black status in spite of the present majority-white student enrollment are outlined. (SLD)