The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1848, the same year Wisconsin achieved statehood, it enrolls students, conducts research and delivers public service to the state and beyond. It was initially funded by a federal land grant and remains a state-supported institution.
The university's work spans public research, higher education, scientific research, and innovation and discovery. Its stated mission emphasises discovery, innovation and public service, with the extension of knowledge intended to improve lives throughout Wisconsin and beyond. The institution educates future leaders and conducts research it describes as groundbreaking, and it attracts scholars from across the globe.
The campus covers 939 acres in Madison. The university has operated for over 175 years; its first class, in February 1849, comprised 20 students. Its presence is rooted in Madison and Wisconsin while drawing participation from an international academic community.
