The beginning of the University was a turbulent time, with plenty of criticism from the community, and a constant fight to prove its own worth. The school grew in many ways in the first twenty years, and made changes that ultimately started the transformation into what we see today. The Morrill act set the stage, giving Lincoln the land to build their own college. It started out small with only twenty students taking college courses; choosing from three course paths. As the years progressed, new chancellors brought new ideas, and the University evolved. Eventually the position of the community shifted from hostile to accepting as the University of Nebraska set the foundation for years to come.