Entomology has a history of discovery, innovation and influence since first offered as a field of study in 1871. The Insect Collection, created in 1879, now ranks 8th among public collections in North America and currently supports our strong research base in systematics and phylogeny. In 1895, Otto Lugger propagated fungal spores for the biological control of chinch bugs beginning a tradition of excellence in applied research, biological control and extension, and was the precursor to current work in insect pathology and arthropod cell cultures. In 1913, the University was the first in the U.S. to create a separate beekeeping department which remains strong today. In 1928, Royal Chapman published his landmark paper, Quantitative Analysis of Environmental Factors, in Ecology which led to the department’s reputation in insect ecology. He patented the use of chloropicrin for stored grain fumigation in 1927 beginning an association with the stored grain industry. In 1931, Insects in Relation to Plant Diseases was among the first courses of its type in the US. In 1932, William Riley published Medical Entomology leading to current work on mosquito molecular biology. Our long standing tradition in IPM begain in 1945 when Dr. Granovsky carried out the first large scale tests and risk assessment of DDT for control of potato leafhopper. Simultaneously, the use of ammonia baits for timing the emergence of apple maggot was developed. We continue to build on these traditions as we embrace the future with investigations into chemical ecology, neurobiology, and molecular genetics.