May 6, 1869, The Indiana General Assembly chose the Lafayette area for the new institution and accepted a $150,000 gift from John Purdue, as well as $50,000 from Tippecanoe County and 100 acres of land from local residents. The legislature named the new school Purdue University.

1872, Purdue's first president, Richard Owen, started his term. September 16, 1874, Classes began with six instructors and 39 students. Purdue's first graduating class had 14 students.