The Agricultural College of the State of Montana (now known as Montana State University) was founded in Bozeman, Montana, in February 1893. Its first president, Augustus M. Ryon, was a mining engineer who clashed with the college's Board of Regents and local businessmen about the direction of the college. Ryon wanted the school to focus on technical, mechanical, industrial, and engineering arts, while the regents and others wanted an agricultural focus. Ryon was forced out in 1894 and Reid named his successor.