Emporia State University, often referred to as Emporia State or ESU, is a public university in Emporia, Kansas. Established in March 1863 as the Kansas State Normal School, Emporia State is the third-oldest public university in the state of Kansas. Emporia State is one of six public universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.

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The university offers degrees in more than 80 courses of study through four colleges and/or schools: the School of Business, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Library and Information Management, and The Teachers College.

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Emporia State's intercollegiate athletic teams are known as the Hornets, with the exception of the women's teams, which are known as the Lady Hornets. Emporia State competes in NCAA Division II and has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1991. Since joining the NCAA Division II in 1991, the Lady Hornets basketball team is the only team to win a NCAA championship.