Starkville is a college town with a history of more than a century, bounded by the vitality and enthusiasm brought by the Mississippi State University (MSU). With more than 17,000 students, 700 faculty and staff, and more than 82,000 alumni families, Mississippi State University is the largest university in the state. In 1878 the university was established as an agricultural and mechanical college. Since its inception, this comprehensive institution has become one of the top research and service-oriented universities in the region and the country, without ever shaking its focus. The academic, leadership, and social opportunities provided by the institute help everyone stand out. Mississippi State University is fully accredited and has developed into a highly research-active institute; the most popular research fields are engineering, forest resources and kinesiology.