The University of North Dakota is a nationally prominent, student-focused doctoral university with a strong liberal arts core, outstanding professional programs, creative and cutting-edge research programs, and dedicated faculty engaged in innovative scholarship and teaching. The University enrolls between 12,000 and 13,000 students in 193 fields of study from baccalaureate through doctoral and professional degrees. As one of only 47 public universities in the U.S. with both accredited law and medical schools, and with the nation's leading academic aerospace program, UND is unique in the breadth and depth of the programs for a university of its size. The University is the state's most comprehensive research university and the primary center for professional education and training. It has brought in more than $448.5 million for sponsored programs from internal and external sources over the last six years, including $82.9 in FY06 for projects in such areas as neuroscience, ground water cleanup, spacesuit technology, high-tech coatings, and alternative fuels. With an annual budget of nearly $363 million, the University employs more than 2,700 people full-time, including 800 faculty and researchers. The UND Foundation has assets in excess of $200 million.

UND has numerous organized centers, institutes, and laboratories to conduct research that benefits people globally. The Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) is a world leader in energy and environmental research, development, demonstration, and commercialization. Other major UND research areas include the National Suborbital Education and Research Center, Center for Innovation, Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy, and the Regional Weather Information Center, to name just a few.

UND's economic impact on the state and region is more than $1 billion a year. The University has a long history of public engagement and service to the region and the state. It is an anchor of the Red River Valley Research Corridor. It operates a 55-acre Technology Park to host both emerging enterprises and established centers and units. It serves to facilitate the transfer of University research advances to applications in business and industry. Prominent facilities in this endeavor include the Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center and the Norman Skalicky Technology Incubator.

UND is regarded as a national leader in wellness and in rural and family health issues. The strong commitment to wellness extends to students, staff, and faculty. The National Institutes of Health ranked the UND College of Nursing eleventh in the nation in research funding. U.S. News & World Report ranked the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences fifth in the country for its commitment to rural medicine. Nearly half of all doctors in North Dakota were trained at UND.

The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is widely recognized as one of the top aerospace programs in the world, operating the world's largest non-military fleet of training aircraft. In 2005, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracted with the University to operate NASA's world-class DC-8 research jet. The University also has an internationally renowned master's program in space studies. UND has more than 30 academic-related programs for American Indians. Approximately 20 percent of American Indian doctors working in the United States were trained at UND through the Indians into Medicine program (INMED). Since 1990, 93 percent of American Indian students in the Recruitment and Retention of American Indians in Nursing (RAIN) Program have earned their nursing degrees.

The University attracts motivated and academically prepared undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from North Dakota, the nation, and the world. Fifty-one percent come from North Dakota; the rest represent all other states, seven Canadian provinces, and more than 60 other countries. The University offers distance and continuing education, delivering courses and advanced degree programs across the nation and around the world. The University has more than 80,000 alumni, including 40,000 residing in North Dakota and Minnesota.

UND's globally respected faculty structures a well-rounded, balanced education that teaches superior critical thinking and communication skills. The liberal arts core curriculum prepares students for further education, to be responsible citizens, and to be lifelong learners. Opportunities abound for students to become deeply involved and engaged in the vibrant campus community, which is committed to student wellbeing and success. Our innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial spirit equips graduates to succeed and to become leaders.

UND is admired for its spacious, beautiful campus which includes 223 buildings on 549 acres. UND's 2,300-seat Chester Fritz Auditorium is regarded as one of the finest performing arts facilities between Minneapolis and the West Coast. More than 60,000 people attend events in the Fritz each year to enjoy Broadway productions, concerts by big-name entertainers, lectures, performances by a wide range of musical groups, and more.

The North Dakota Museum of Art is located on the campus, and hosts more than 40,000 patrons each year for exhibitions and concerts. The University's Department of Theatre Arts stages a regular schedule of productions, and numerous concerts and recitals are presented on and off campus by UND music groups. Even more events are offered by local and guest performers for community arts organizations.

The University hosts many cultural events, including two significant events each Spring. The annual Writers Conference presents nationally prominent authors giving readings and lectures and discussing their craft in panel sessions. The UND Indian Association's American Indian Week features discussions of contemporary issues and a major regional powwow.

The University's athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level in men's and women's ice hockey and currently compete in Division II in 18 other sports, including football and baseball for men; soccer, volleyball, tennis, and softball for women; and basketball, swimming and diving, track, cross country, and golf for both men and women. Fourteen of UND's 20 athletic teams participated in NCAA post-season competition during the 2006-2007 academic year. UND athletic teams have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better for the past 5 years. The University has embarked on a program to move entirely to NCAA Division I over the next few years, and is currently in the formal exploratory year of that endeavor.

Founded by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before statehood, UND was intended to be, and has remained, a university with a strong liberal arts foundation as well as a variety of professional and specialized programs. The University will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary during 2008, employing "From Tradition to Tomorrow" as the theme of the commemoration. Progress is guided by the University's strategic plan, "Building on Excellence," which was implemented in 2005. (see: www.und.edu/stratplan).