Established in 1888, Utah State University is a co-educational university based in Logan, Utah. It is one of the premier land-grant and space-grant universities in the county. With 41 academic departments, Utah State University awards a bachelor's degrees, post-bachelor's, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, associate's degrees, and other certified programs. These degrees and programs are offered through the university’s seven colleges such as the College of Agriculture, the College of Business, the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Engineering, the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the College of Natural Resources, and the College of Science. In addition to the academics, the university has a long tradition of research excellence, and has attained an international reputation in agriculture and engineering. It participates in nationally and internationally acclaimed programs of basic and applied research as a Carnegie Doctoral Research Extensive Institution. The university’s library system is inclusive of the Merrill-Cazier Library, the Library Peer Mentors, and the special collections and archives department. The libraries are committed to meet curricular and research needs of students and faculty members. The special collections and archives department, housed in the lower level of the Merrill-Cazier Library, holds books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, multi-media collections, microfilm, folklore items, and state documents. USU’s off-campus facilities include the University Inn, located a few blocks away from campus. The inn provides safe and comfortable lodging, and facilities for conferences and other activities. Utah State University is ranked among the top-25 Most Innovative Colleges in the nation and in the top-six of colleges of education by U.S. News & World Report for six years running. The campus was given the 2004 Award for Excellence in Economic Development by the United States Department of Commerce as one of the best places in the nation for rural economic development. The students and faculty have received national recognition from The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and USA Today.