School: Vanderbilt was founded in 1873 with $1 million from shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who had never laid eyes on the state of Tennessee but wanted to do something to improve the region's prospects and help heal the wounds of the recently completed War of Northern Aggression. It has grown into one of the premier research universities in America, with a University economy which runs on nothing but Land Rovers, Martin Dingman loafers, Orvis fly fishing apparel that's never actually been used in fly fishing, and Starbucks gift cards.
Nickname: Commodores
Mascot: Mr.