Get Involved: UMN Units

The University of Minnesota is celebrating 150 years since the first international students arrived on campus. Join us in fall 2024 to highlight the worldwide impact of the 60,000+ international students educated at the University of Minnesota since 1874.

How you can participate

Colleges, departments, and units are invited to highlight the impact of international students and engage with international alumni as part of the celebration. Consider:

  • Highlighting international students and alumni in your publications
  • Asking your international alumni to share their story or send us ideas for alumni to feature
  • Asking your international alumni to update their contact information. Please note: Older University records do not indicate whether a student was international. Encourage alumni to self-identify in the "Notes" section of the form.
  • Incorporating the anniversary theme into your existing events
  • Hosting a celebration for current international students in your college or department
  • Using the hashtag #GlobalGophers150 to highlight international students and alumni on social media 
  • Nominating an international alumnus or alumna for the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals or other meaningful unit recognition award
  • Sharing the names of prestigious international alumni from your college or department with the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance for inclusion in GPS publications

Expand all

Sample messaging

Calls to action for international alumni

 

Social media suggested posts

  • General: We’re celebrating 150 years of international students at the University of Minnesota! The first international students came from Canada and Denmark in 1874. Today, we have more than 5,400 international students from 140+ countries. #GlobalGophers150
  • Welcoming new international students: We’re #UMNproud to welcome ### new international students in [college or department] this year! Did you know the first international students came to the University of Minnesota 150 years ago? They were from Canada and Denmark. Now we have students from 140+ countries. #GlobalGophers150
  • Profile of a current international student
  • Highlighting notable international alumni from your college/department
  • Request for students/alumni to share their story: The University of Minnesota is celebrating 150 years since the first international students arrived on campus in 1874. Help us highlight the worldwide impact of our students and alumni by sharing your story.

 

Email

Version 1

Dear [name],

The University of Minnesota is celebrating 150 years since the first international students arrived on campus in 1874.

A quick comparison of campus then and now:

18742024
Two international students5,400+ international students
237 total students56,666 total students
One campus building - Old Main348 buildings
Two colleges: College of Science, Literature and the Arts; and College of Mechanic Arts8 freshman-admitting and 5 upper-division colleges

What was the University of Minnesota like for you? We want to hear your story. Share about a favorite memory, where you liked to spend time, the best class you took, someone you met that you still talk to today, or anything you’d like to tell us about your experience in Minnesota.

Share Your Story

Version 2

Dear [name],

This fall, the University of Minnesota is celebrating the 60,000+ international students who have studied on Northrop Mall, sang the Minnesota Rouser, and crossed the stage at commencement. We are proud to have been welcoming international students for 150 years, since the first two international students arrived from Canada and Denmark in 1874.

You are an important part of this history. Help us highlight the impact of international students—both on campus and around the world—by sharing your story.

Share Your Story

We also invite you to explore our international student history and read stories from other international alumni.

Images and graphics

We have developed a 150th anniversary graphic element that units may use on their materials.

We have also gathered photos of international students from the University Archives. Please contact gpscomm@umn.edu for high-resolution images.

Quick facts

  • The first international students came from Canada and Denmark in 1874.
  • The University of Minnesota now has more than 5,000 international students each year.
  • More than 60,000 international students have attended the University of Minnesota since 1874.
  • Our current international students come from more than 140 countries.
  • The top places of origin for international students are:
    • China
    • India
    • Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Canada
    • Vietnam
    • Iran
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Brazil
    • Malaysia
  • The University of Minnesota’s international alumni include prime ministers of Iceland, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.