Founded in 1887, the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) is the nation's oldest higher education association. A voluntary association of public universities, land-grant institutions and many of the nation's public university systems, NASULGC campuses are located in all 50 states, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Dedicated to supporting excellence in teaching, research and public service, NASULGC has been in the forefront of educational leadership nationally for over a century. In 1963, the American Association of Land-Grant Colleges and State Universities merged with the National Association of State Universities to create the association in its present configuration as the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. Its acronym is NASULGC