THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE FOUNDING DATE
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 1817 or 1837
In the 1920s, after much frustration about the neglect of preserving the history of the University of Michigan, the Alumni Association established an Alumni Committee on History and Tradition. One of their projects was to establish the founding date of the University. After three years of intensive study, the committee determined that the universal custom of universities was to signify their founding date by their corporate seals and determined further that the erroneous common understanding was that Michigan was founded in 1837. In investigating the history and traditions of Michigan, the committee discovered the University was founded on August 26, 1817. As a result, the committee asked the Board of Regents to require the use of the correct date, August 26, 1817, in all seals, diplomas, catalogues and other literature issued by the University or its authority hereafter.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE 1817-1837 CONTROVERSY
UNIVERSITY ACQUIRES NEW BIRTH DATE
THE FOUNDERS OF THE CATHOLEPISTEMIAD
THE FOUNDERS OF THE CATHOLEPISTEMIAD II
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SEALS