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http://exploredegrees.stanford.edu/stanfordsmission/ From the Stanford University Founding Grant, November 11, 1885: ...the Nature, Object, and Purposes of the Institution Hereby Founded, to Be: Its nature, that of a university with such seminaries of learning as shall make it of the highest grade, including mechanical institutes, museums, galleries of art, laboratories, and conservatories, together with all things necessary for the study of agriculture in all its branches, and for mechanical training, and the studies and exercises directed to the cultivation and enlargement of the mind: Its object, to qualify its students for personal success, and direct usefulness in life; And its purposes, to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization, teaching the blessings of liberty regulated by law, and inculcating love and reverence for the great principles of government as derived from the inalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The University has a mission statement, formally adopted by the governing board and made public, declaring that it is an institution of higher education. Since its founding, the mission of the University of Chicago, reiterated by each president, has been to sustain at the highest level of excellence the communication of knowledge, the creation of knowledge, and the fostering of a dynamic community of scholars and students. The University's first formal statement of mission appears in its Articles of Incorporation, initially adopted in 1890 and most recently amended in 1944.

Johns Hopkins University's mission is to educate its students and cultivate their capacity for life-long learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.

The mission of the California Institute of Technology is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society.

The mission of Brown University is to serve the community, the nation, and the world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry, and by educating and preparing students to discharge the offices of life with usefulness and reputation. We do this through a partnership of students and teachers in a unified community known as a university-college.