University of Michigan Quiz question

Submitted by umhero on

I learned an interesting fact about the University of Michigan today.  I thought I would post it as a quiz question to see if anyone knew the answer.  I'll post the answer in a few minutes.

The University of Michigan was opened in Ann Arbor in 1837, why does the University Seal have 1817 on it?

Well done to both DGlenn26 & Jeremy, plus 1 to you both.  I took a tour of downtown Detroit today put on by Preservation Wayne and when the guide told me the story I was suprised I didn't know it.

Follow up, who founded the University?  Judge Augustus B. Woodward, the Governor of the Michigan Territory, drew up a plan for a college which he dubbed the University of Michigania with the blessing of President Thomas Jefferson.  Woodward Ave. is named for him and he designed the hub and spokes design of the downtown streets.

I enjoy history and it was neat to hear about the birth of the University of Michigan.

Edited in Bold.

Jeremy

August 8th, 2010 at 12:46 AM ^

If I remember correctly the University was known as the University of Michigania from 1817 to 1837. When Michigan became a state in 1837 they changed the name to University of Michigan. As to who founded the University I have no idea!

jmblue

August 8th, 2010 at 7:44 PM ^

Officially it was called the Catholepistemiad, which is Greek for something like "universal inquiry."

There is some debate about what exactly the Catholepistemiad was.  Records are spotty.  It's not clear if it actually was a degree-granting institution.  Many have argued that it should not really be considered the forerunner of the Ann Arbor institution (and in fact, for many years our university seal was dated 1837, not 1817). 

BlockM

August 8th, 2010 at 12:58 AM ^

Because when it was founded it had already built up 20 years worth of awesomeness? Because it matured so quickly that everyone assumed it's much older than it is?

I always assumed it was founded by Walker Texas Ranger. Is that not true?