Oakland University was founded in 1957 when Alfred Wilson and Matilda Dodge Wilson donated $2 million and their 1,400-acre estate to Michigan State University to begin a new college in Oakland County. In 1959, the first students enrolled at Michigan State University-Oakland, and the university officially changed its name to Oakland University in 1963. From these beginnings, Oakland University has emphasized academic quality, concentrating on providing a dynamic, student-focused learning environment with integration of liberal and professional studies by a faculty of dedicated scholar-teachers. The natural beauty of the campus is enhanced by comprehensive recreational facilities and modern buildings that house the university's many academic and student service programs as well as a growing population of residential students. From spirited Division I athletic events to visually engaging artistic performances and everything in between, OU allows students to engage with and discover a wide range of organizations and activities on campus.
