Founded in 1888, New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a land-grant university with its main campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Other campuses are located in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Grants, and Dona Ana. The university serves the educational needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research, and public service. Initially it was started as Las Cruces College. Later it joined with New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (the land-grant college for New Mexico), to form a new school, opened in January 1890. By 1960, the school had grown tremendously and changed its name to New Mexico State University. The 900-acre campus offers 51 Masters degrees and 24 Doctoral programs through the Graduate School and the colleges: Colleges of Engineering, Business Administration and Economics, Education, Extended Learning, Agriculture and Home Economics, Health and Social Services, Honors College, and Arts and Sciences. It is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Ranked by the Carnegie Foundation in the top research category, the campus provides Distance Education program for eligible students. Also, International Studies and weekend courses are offered. Research facilities are provided to help society to meet its scientific, technological, environmental, economic, educational, and social challenges. Various associations and clubs are promoted to encourage NMSU's athletic teams, the Aggies. The office of Financial Aid provides financial assistance through federal, state, institutional, and private sources regardless of sex, color, and age. The Copy Center, Counseling Center, and Bookstore are facilities available on campus. Scholarships, fellowships, and grants are offered. With an archives and special collections department, the library at the campus houses non-circulating published research materials including books, periodicals, maps, and newspapers relating to the culture, environment, and history of New Mexico. Museum and art galleries, professional theater, PBS and NPR campus stations, an 18-hole golf course, a tennis center, swimming pools, and an activity center are additional leisure facilities.