Designated as Doctoral/Research-Extensive University, Mississippi State University (MSU) is a public, land-grant, doctoral, and research university. Located in Starkville, Mississippi, it provides access and opportunity to students from all sectors of the State and offers extensive programs in instruction, research, and outreach. The university has a regional campus in Meridian. The University was established as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi on February 28, 1878. According to the Morrill Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1862, it became part of the nation’s land-grant system. The college was created by the Mississippi Legislature with the intension of offering training in agriculture, horticulture and the mechanical arts. It witnessed steady growth over the years. To reflect its growth, the college changed its name to Mississippi State College in 1932. In 1958, it gained university status and became Mississippi State University. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the university offers baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees in addition to a continuing education program and pre-professional programs. The university encompasses such colleges as Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture, Arts and Sciences; Business and Industry, Education, Engineering, Forest Resources, and Veterinary Medicine. The opportunities for cooperative education program, national student exchange programs, study abroad programs, technology transfer programs, and an honors program are provided in the campus. Several research centers and an institute are provided as a part of the university. Housing services and Career services are offered. The library system of Mississippi State University is comprised of four libraries: the Architecture Branch Library, College of Veterinary Medicine Branch Library, Meridian Campus Library, and Jackson Center Library. They hold resources that are related to college curriculum and student interests. Nicknamed as the Bulldogs, their athletic team competes in the NCAA in football, basketball (men's and women's), baseball, softball, tennis, golf, soccer, volleyball, track and field, and cross country. The points of interest on the campus include the Chapel of Memories and Carillon Tower; Cully Cobb Museum that showcases more than 350 antique tools and primitive machines; Dunn-Seller Museum that exhibits rocks, fossils, and other geological pieces, including a Triceratops skull; Lois Dowdle Cobb Museum of Archaeology that displays artifacts from the ancient Middle East and the Southeastern United States; Mississippi Entomological Museum that holds more than one million pinned specimens, the Ross Hutchins and David Young photograph collection; the Walk of Honor, and the Eternal Flame Monument. By sharing knowledge, the Mississippi State University meets the needs of the community they serve.