To help Metro State celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout the 2005-06 academic year, each week @Metro will bring readers a fun or significant fact from years past. Our first installment:

On May 2, 1965, the Colorado Legislature passed the largest state budget in history—and it included a $750,000 appropriation for Metropolitan State College. There were now less than five months to create an entire college from scratch. Someone picked up the phone and called Harlan Bryant, president of Western State College, and asked him to be the acting president of the new institution. Already packed for a camping trip, Bryant and his wife replaced his fishing waders and tackle with a few suits, and the next morning they were on their way to Denver.

For more information and the latest news about 40th anniversary events go to http://www.mscd.edu/news/fortyyears/index.html