BECOMING HUSKIES 125th Anniversary Timeline and Exhibition
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
BECOMING HUSKIES On Jan. 25, 1940, the campus newspaper, the Northern Illinois, read: “From now on the word ‘Huskies’ will be used constantly in this paper and in other papers to indicate our athletics squads.” What started as another nickname for athletics would become part of our identity as a university. All who are connected to this university can consider themselves Huskies, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, professors emeritus, parents, partners, and community residents, as each have shaped the university in their own unique way. In this moment, you become part of the Huskie family. The Huskie identity is ever evolving. The exhibition highlights this evolution through the transitions and traditions, moments and events, and tragedies and triumphs that have led to our growth and identity as Huskies today and, by extension, paved the way for the Huskies of tomorrow. The name may have become official 80 years ago, but our journey to becoming Huskies started long before. From the initial sparks of inspiration for a normal school in the Northern Illinois area to the driving force of our student body responding to an ever-changing world, both large and small, and global and local, (re)actions have shaped the campus community. Looking back at 125 years of history you will see how landmarks, traditions and organizations grow or become lost to time. The exhibition can serve as a reminder, or an introduction, to your Huskie Heritage.
Getting the University Here September 1894
John W. Cook, president of Illinois State Normal University (Bloomington/Normal), was a lead advocate in appealing for a state school in the Northern Illinois area.
January 10, 1895
Editor of the DeKalb Chronicle Clinton Rosette convinced barbed wire baron Isaac L. Ellwood to use his political influence to create a bill for a Northern Illinois normal school. Efforts resulted in Senate Bill No. 2, “An Act to establish and maintain the Northern Illinois State Normal School,” being presented to the Illinois General Assembly.
May 22, 1895
Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld signed legislation providing for a normal school in Northern Illinois. The charter for establishing the location of the normal school in Northern Illinois detailed the following: “a site not less than 40 acres of ground, near railroad, good water supply, sufficient number of buildings for growth (to accommodate not less than 1,000 students).”
June 15, 1895
Deadline for city applications for site inspections to be considered for location of the normal school — DeKalb, Dixon, Rockford, Polo, Oregon, Fulton, Freeport.
June 24-25, 1895
Following a heavy rainfall, residents installed a small dam across the Kishwaukee River near the bridge, but out of sight, in order to drain the city water supply from its tank into the stream at the moment the commissioners crossed the bridge.
June 26, 1895
Board of Trustees arrived in DeKalb — offerings from DeKalb: 63 acres of land from Joseph Glidden and a small tract of land from Ellwood (21 acres more than any other site); $10,000 from Jacob Haish for a gymnasium (later used for books along with an additional $1,400 for library equipment); city council agreed to lay sewers.
July 15, 1895
DeKalb is chosen as the site. Board of Trustees appointed. The board of trustees for the Northern Illinois State Normal School: the Honorable Adams A. Goodrich, The Rookery, Chicago, president; W.C. Garrard, Esq., Springfield, secretary; the Honorable Alfred Bayliss, Springfield; the Honorable W.S. Farrand, Dixon; Isaac L. Ellwood, Esq., DeKalb; Charles H. Deere, Esq., Moline; John H. Lewis, Esq., DeKalb, treasurer.
July 20, 1895
Jubilation triumph celebration — 5,000 people present in DeKalb.
August 26, 1895
Charles E. Brush was selected as the architect for normal school in DeKalb.
October 10, 1895
The bid for contractors for building the normal school in DeKalb was won at $145,155.44 by William J. McAlpine of Dixon.
September 11, 1895
Site for Northern Illinois State Normal School was staked out. The Castle on the Hill (Altgeld Hall) was to be built on the highest knoll equidistant between the Kishwaukee River and its tiny tributary to the west.
September 17, 1895
Ground breaking ceremony for the Northern Illinois State Normal School in DeKalb. Jacob Haish broke ground with a pencil (symbolic for the institution) which was placed in the cornerstone alongside an Oct. 1 issue of the Chicago newspaper the Inter-Ocean, war relics, a history of DeKalb, the Episcopal Church Prayer Book, a set of U.S. coins and fractional currency, and the first shoe produced by the Leonard-Atkinson shoe factory in DeKalb.
October 1, 1895
The cornerstone was laid (for Altgeld Hall) — Gov. John Peter Altgeld was in attendance along with thousands of others. DeKalb city committees had planned all events including music, fireworks, food, a miles-long parade, a baseball game between Pullman and DeKalb, a football game between Armour and Rush, and a closing ceremony reception and dance.
April 13, 1899
Final appropriation of funds for finishing the college, $165,000 ($4,625,693 in 2017), passed the general assembly.
April 18, 1899
J. W. Cook interviewed for presidency position with Board of Trustees. Trustees unanimously vote their approval and extend offer to Cook.
May 10, 1899 July 1, 1899 September 12, 1899 September 21-23, 1899
J. W. Cook formally accepted position as president of the Northern Illinois State Normal School. John Williston Cook became first president. Northern Illinois State Normal School (Altgeld Hall) opened for its first day of classes. “Three Crimson Days” dedication of the new normal school. Entire town celebrated for three days with speeches, circus acts, programs and parades (15,000 spectators for all-school parade).
Lost to Time Page Collection
Very early on, history Professor Edward Carlton Page began collecting objects due to their didactic potential in teaching American history to students in classrooms. By 1918 the Page Historic Collection contained over 2,000 items including Native American artifacts (donated by a local community member) and industrial objects from frontier life in the Midwest. The items were initially displayed in cases throughout the Administration Building (Altgeld Hall) and then filled two rooms on the upper floors. Page and his students would take these objects out into the local schools as well as invite the public to see the displays on view in the Castle. This early demonstration of visual pedagogy was key to the curriculum of the Northern Illinois State Normal School. Some years later, the value and condition of some objects were compromised when students attempting to catalog and clean objects unfortunately ruined their original patina and finish. Objects were allowed to be borrowed by local schools, and many went missing. Some larger items, like farm machinery, were gifted to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. What remains of the Page Historic Collection was distributed across campus in the 1960s: books went to the Blackwell Museum, documents went to the Regional History Center and artifacts were given to the Museum of Anthropology.
Greenhouse
By 1907, biology Professor Fred L. Charles and gardener Frank K. Balthis had built an indoor botanical conservatory behind the main building (Altgeld Hall). The greenhouse served as a teaching laboratory for students and a nursery for campus gardens. In 1908, Balthis recorded over 2,000 plants successfully set around the lagoon and into the terraced gardens in front of the main building (where Lowden Hall now sits). Balthis published an inventory of 385 species and varieties represented in the Plant House. Balthis had come to NIU from the Shaw Botanical Gardens in St. Louis and remained as gardener for the campus grounds for eighteen years. The original greenhouse was torn down in 1945. The biology department currently utilizes a greenhouse located off Montgomery Hall.
Kishwaukee Hall
The designated green space at 544 College Ave. has seen many changes over 80 years. Its history at Northern began on Sept. 9, 1940 when Jimmie Lundberg opened Jimmie’s Tea Room (renamed the College Tea Room one year later). The Tea Room was an eatery popular with students. It was operated by the Lundberg family until 1948 when the university purchased the building and turned it into a student center. The building was officially renamed the Student Union in May 1956. It was then repurposed and renamed the Communications Building in 1962 and then Kishwaukee Hall in October 1965. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Kishwaukee Hall was bustling with activity and was home to the campus yearbook, and radio stations and the offices of the student newspaper. The latter purpose is why the building was dedicated in memory of Northern Star faculty advisor Roy G. Campbell in 1973 — the Campbell Hall designation was meant to follow the home of the Northern Star. The Northern Star soon thereafter moved causing the building’s name to revert back to Kishwaukee Hall in September 1974. The yearbook ceased publication in 1977 whereas the radio stations WKDI and WNIU continued to operate out of Kishwaukee Hall until 1990. The building’s fate was sealed after the 1989 and 1990 conditions audits cited that it would be too expensive to renovate and bring the building to code. Kishwaukee Hall was then occupied by fiber arts until the NIU board of trustees voted to raze the building in June 2009. In August 2009, crews demolished Kishwaukee Hall.
Arboretum
The land donated by Joseph Glidden contained a large area of woods. It was in these woods where much of the festivities of the Three Crimson Days celebrating the opening of the Normal School took place. When Theodore Roosevelt was campaigning for president he spoke in a shaded clearing in these woods. Fast forward 60-plus years, and one is struck by the irony of newly constructed science buildings that sacrificed a good portion of these woods. Rapid campus construction and Dutch elm disease both took their toll. In 1959, students, faculty and community members joined together as the Friends of the Charles Montgomery Arboretum to campaign against the devastation of the arbor, only recently dedicated as the Montgomery Arboretum in 1957. As the central campus continued to develop, protestors in 1971 calling themselves the Arboretum 12 chained themselves to trees to block the encroaching construction equipment. President Leslie Holmes later described the ongoing arboretum controversy as the most difficult problem of his presidency. Expressing regret for earlier decisions made in the name of progress, President Rhoten Smith encouraged the development of a new environmental area on the west side of campus, a wooded preserve north of the Lorusso Lagoon, called Eco Park. A community tree planting day was slated for Arbor Day 1971 with the initial planting of 1,200 trees in this area, which was impactful, but not quite up to the Environmental Committee’s extensive plans.
Northern Zoo
The Northern Zoo grew out of the “working collection of animals [in the Biological Laboratory] which we may employ not simply as a source of amusement, but as a means of imparting useful scientific information” around April 1902. Animal lovers, or unsuspecting freshman biology students, could visit rabbits Jerry June and Cotton-tale; raccoons Mr. and Mrs. Dick Coon; opossums Juliet, Romeo, and Juliet II; Foxy Grandpa, the fox; and coyote Katrina “Katy” Wolfchen, the pride of the zoo until Betsy the black bear came along in December 1905. Other animals that could be seen included fox snakes, frogs, toads, alligators, turtles, salamanders, lizards, fish, snails, guinea pigs, flying squirrels, fox squirrels, Belgian hares, and eagles. The zoo not only served as a learning opportunity for students but also as an outreach program for elementary learning in the surrounding community — putting pedagogy and curricula taught in the classroom into practice. Biology Professor Fred L. Charles was instrumental in developing and caring for the menagerie. The 1906 Norther yearbook claims Charles was “much given to taming wild animals — grew up with them, you know, used to tame snakes for the neighbor boys at a cent a week per snake. A big fox snake, four-footer, was captured on the campus and brought to the laboratory. Mr. Charles let the snake bite him once, punished it for doing so, and within a week it was so tame that it would lie quietly in one’s hands and drink water from the faucet.” The zoo remained until December 1909 when Charles left for a teaching position at the University of Illinois.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Timeline entries were chosen for their representation of the theme “Becoming Huskies” and because of their significance to the campus at that time. Extensive effort was given to representing all groups, past or present, using the resources available to the 125th Anniversary Exhibit Committee. We acknowledge that histories for groups or events may be missing from the timeline; however, this was not done with intention. Information was largely sourced from Earl Hayter’s Education in Transition: The History of Northern Illinois University, Glen Gildemeister’s Castle on a Hill, the Regional History Center and University Archives. Please consider adding your Huskie history to the University Archives to be preserved for future generations.
125th Exhibition Execution Committee Jo Burke Sarah Cain Richard Casey Wade Duerkes Oriana Flores Stacy Morse Peter Olson
Buildings and Landmarks 1894
East Lagoon created.
1898
Eagle's Nest Art Colony — Orgeon, IL
Gurler Road. Heckman Dormitory completed at Taft Field
(founded by Lorado Taft — sculptor).
Campus. Lorusso Lagoon created along with Eco Park. McAuley
1899
Altgeld Hall completed.
Residence Hall closed.
1902
Old windmill on campus.
1903
Freshman Bench (east lagoon) placed and Glidden Field opened.
Eagle's Nest Tree for which the Taft art group was named fell
1905
Grandstand struck by lightning and burned to ground.
during a wind storm — placed in the garden near heart of campus.
1907
Greenhouse built.
1973
Psychology-Math Building opened.
1911
McMurray Hall opened.
1974
Music Building completed. Seventy-fifth anniversary time capsule,
1915
Williston Hall opened.
to be opened in April 2049, placed under the arches of the main
1917
Street lights installed on College Avenue bridge.
entrance to Altgeld Hall.
1928
Industrial and Technology Building (Still Hall)
1971
1972
1975
and Still Gym opened. 1936
WPA workers completed the construction of the circle drive in Kiwanis skating bench built. Restaurant built on the east side of
1976
The Music Building and Boutell Memorial Concert Hall opened. Farwell Hall closed. Original Altgeld Hall NISNS mosaic seal placed in Founders Memorial Library foyer.
1977
the Kishwaukee River — later known as Jimmie’s, the College Tea Room, Student Union, Kishwaukee Hall, and Campbell Hall.
A Computer Center built (later became Northern TV Center).
The College of Education Learning Center opened.
front of Altgeld Hall and transformed East Lagoon. 1941
FCNS adds a daycare center at the old Notre Dame High School on
Founders Memorial Library opened. NIU Foundation purchased Odekirk Home.
1980
Sculpture "Pervasive Cycle" dedicated for permanent display
Fred L. Charles memorial bench built and Science Building
on the northwest balcony of the Jack Arends Hall. Ballroom in
opened (later renamed Davis Hall).
Holmes Student Center named for Duke Ellington. Lightning
1945
Greenhouse torn down.
struck and knocked down one of the gargoyles (Olive Goyle) on
1947
Veteran Barracks "Vetville" occupied.
Altgeld Hall.
1949
Adams Hall opened.
1950
University acquired property near Oregon, IL for Lorado
1943
Martin Luther King Jr. Commons opened.
Kissing Bench.
1984
Holmes Student Center sky room was renamed “Clara Sperling
1952
Swen Franklin Parson library opened.
1955
Neptune Residence Hall for women opened.
1956
Veterans' Memorial Flag Pole placed and dedicated.
1957
Reavis Hall and Chick Evans Field House opened. "Campus Wood" named Montgomery Arboretum.
1961
1965
School of Nursing building. 1990
sculpture donated. 1991
1967 1968
1992
1970
Hoffman Estates Education Center opened. NIU purchased Rice and landscaping completed.
The Four army barracks dismantled. Wirtz property acquired
1993
Center for Black Studies building opened. Life-size Dr. King bust
(part of future site for Holmes Student Center).
donated. Lampposts installed around the lagoon and on the island.
The 14 barracks at the corner of Lucinda Avenue and Garden Road
Thomas C. Wiegle Library opened in SSRI. 1994
Central Receiving, Transportation, West Heating Plant,
East lobby of Swen Parson Hall was dedicated as the Thurgood Marshall Gallery.
1995
Engineering Building, Faraday West, Campus Life Building and
Center) opened.
Recreation Center opened. Rockford Education Center opened.
Faraday Hall, Lincoln Residence Hall and Douglas Residence Hall
Castle Drive entrance gates reconstructed. 1998
The Naperville Education Center and Latino Resource Center
formal dining room on campus.
opened. Community Mural at First Street and Lincoln
Graham Hall, Anderson Hall and Communications and Security
Highway painted.
Building opened.
1999
The Milan Township Schoolhouse reconstructed on campus.
The Castle on the Hill, later called the Ad(ministration) Building,
2000
Huskie Stadium field scoreboard and video display system modernized.
replaced with a bridge made of concrete and steel. Grant Towers,
2001
FieldTurf surface replaced AstroTurf on Huskie Stadium’s field.
Huskie Stadium, Anderson Hall, Lowden Hall, Faraday Hall and
2002
Barsema Hall and Convocation Center opened.
Wirtz Hall opened. Last of barracks demolished. Seventy-five
2003
Watson Crick creek renovated and renamed. Center for the Study
additional acres purchased expanding Lorado Taft campus
of Family Violence and Sexual Assault built. Brigham Field
to 141 acres.
dedicated in Huskie Stadium.
Removal of the Roosevelt speech marker. Pine Rock Nature
2004
Asian American Resource Program moved to new home (Jacobs
Preserve near the Lorado Taft campus purchased.
House) and became known as the Asian American Center. Altgeld
McAuley Residence (off campus), Stevenson Towers, and Farwell
Hall reopened after renovations. Art Museum moves into a new
Hall (off campus) opened.
multi-room gallery space on the west end of the first floor.
Reavis West renamed DuSable Hall. Watson East renamed Zulauf
2005
Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center opened. NISNS replica
Hall. Reavis-Watson Lecture Hall was renamed Cole Hall.
mosaic seal installed in original location of the Altgeld Hall foyer
Stevenson Towers opened. NISNS mosaic seal removed during
floor. Monsanto building purchased.
remodeling of Altgeld Hall lobby. The 14-story tower on University
1969
“The Balance of Equality” sculpture placed in the MLK Commons. Bill of Rights Plaza east of Swen Parson Hall constructed.
was renamed Altgeld Hall. “I Love You” bridge at the lagoon
1966
“Pyramus and Thisbe Rising Over Snowy Peaks”
and Physical Plant opened.
are opened. The Pheasant Room (later Ellington's) opened as first 1964
NIU purchased Roberts Elementary School building to be used as
Hotel building. MLK Commons brickwork, concrete walkways,
Lincoln Hall, Watson Hall and University Center (Holmes Student 1963
1986
The Fine Arts Building (Stevens Building), Neptune West Hall
are torn down. 1962
Sky Room.”
The Health Services building and University School (Gabel Hall) opened.
1960
Field House. 1982
Gilbert Hall for men opened.
1959
Hall of Fame Room and south offices were added to Chick Evans
Taft Field Campus. Freshman Bench given the nickname 1951
1958
1981
2007
The Jeffery and Kimberly Yordon Center opened. Pheasant
Center (HSC) is completed. Dedication of Calder sculpture
Room in the Holmes Student Center remodeled and
“Le Baron” by Alexander Calder.
renamed "Ellington's".
Montgomery Hall built. AstroTurf installed on Huskie
2012
A renovated Cole Hall reopened. New Residence Hall opened.
Stadium’s field.
2013
Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center opened.
Visual Arts Building (Jack Arends Hall) built.
2016
Anthropology Museum name changed to Pick Museum of Anthropology.
2018
Asian American Resource Center relocated. Renovated Stevens Hall reopened.
2019
A renovated Holmes Student Center unveiled.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
BECOMING HUSKIES From 1895 to 1899, many individuals worked hard to establish what we now call Northern Illinois University (see “Getting the University Here” for more details). When the doors opened September 12, 1899, the next phase of the university was already beginning. Every student — from 1899 on — has helped us to grow into the institution we are today. The board of trustees, administration, faculty, staff and community built the foundation of the university. But it is our students who have always breathed life and brought shape into our ever-changing home.
The middle bar of the timeline shows various local and world events to help give the viewer context. Consider how these events effected our campus and how we in turn influenced the world around us. - The university started training teachers five years before the first consolidated schools began in Illinois. - Karl Adams was named president of the university less than a month before the stock market crash thrust everyone into the Great Depression. - The protests of the late ´60’s/early ´70’s were a direct reflection of concerns across the country.
See what other connections you can make throughout our shared history.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Northern Illinois State Normal School opened with 173 students (146 women, 27 men). September 12, 1899
“NI” athletic logo created; used from 1899 to 1968 when first Huskie logo was accepted.
First student athletic coach, John L. Keith (football, men's basketball). First official seal.
President Cook taught first course, psychology, during first hour.
The Marching Band started with 14 members. Now nearly 200 strong. School Colors selected yellow and white.
September 12, 1899
“The Castle on the Hill” (Administration Building) opened its doors. It was renamed Altgeld Hall in 1964 in honor of John Peter Altgeld, governor of Illinois, who approved of the Northern Illinois State Normal School.
DeKalb "Crimson Days" 3-day celebration.
Northern Illinois, published its first issue (14 pages long). All but 3 of the 173 enrolled students subscribed, raising the necessary funds to publish it. The monthly student newspaper was conceived by Prof. Fred L. Charles.
September 22, 1899
1899
1899
February 4, 1899 Philippine–American War begins.
1899
1899 Colonel Isaac Ellwood furnished the funds to finish construction of the campus entrance gates. John W. Cook named first president; longest tenure in office at 21 years 1 month; salary $5,000/year, which remained the same until he left in 1919.
Haish Library created (Jacob Haish donated $10,000; located on second floor of Altgeld); Librarian Ella Warwick ($20/month salary) and Library Assistant Grace Babitt were first staff employees.
Establishment of first student organizations (including DeKalb Normal School Tennis, Camera Club, Ionian Society, a young women’s literary club, Ellwood and Glidden Societies, coed competitive literary teams).
First athletic organizations formed: The Ellwood Basketball Team; The Glidden Basketball Team; The Football Team; The Baseball Team.
Varsity athletics nicknamed "Profs"(1899-1920s); AKA "Northerners"; "Teachers". Charles McMurry named first Director of Practice Training School.
First football game played against DeKalb High School.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
First library book purchased; Legends of the Virgin and Christ by H. A. Guerber (1897), for $0.94.
First student loan fund. First library card issued.
November 15, 1899
First faculty athletic coach Fred L. Charles, biology professor (baseball, women’s basketball).
First issue of the Norther yearbook issued. First men’s basketball game. February 1, 1900
Teddy Roosevelt spoke in “Campus Wood” when he visited DeKalb while campaigning for president. Campus Wood was part of the 60-plus acre tract of land that was given by Joseph Glidden.
School color debate — While the school colors were yellow and white, the class of 1901 had its own color: Sky Blue.
October 6, 1900
Girls’ Athletic Association was created. November 14, 1900
1899
1900
1900
1900
1900
1901
1900
1900
1901
School passed its trial year.
First class completed the two-year degree program.
1900 Milan One-Room Township District 83 schoolhouse built.
1899 First term ended.
December 21, 1899
1900 First baseball game played against Sycamore High School.
1900 Northern Illinois Teachers Association established loan fund of $300.
First women’s basketball game. March 8, 1900
First May Day Dance (aka Springfest; later renamed May Fete). May 1, 1900
First commencement included 16 graduates; first alumni organization formed same day. June 21, 1900
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
First NIU alumni gathering (precursor to homecoming). First female head coach Jessica Foster, women’s basketball.
1901
Zoo established; served as outreach for elementary learning in surrounding communities.
1902
First international students from the Philippines: Antonio Nera, Joseph Cabrera, Gregorio Manuel, Segundo Hiplito, Mariano Carbonell, and Gregorio Ramirez.
1904
Northern Illinois Athletic Association adopted cardinal and black as official colors. The term “Homecoming” was first used in the school newspaper, the Northern Illinois.
1906
February 1, 1904 First consolidated school in Illinois.
1902 Northern joined the Interstate League of Normal Schools. Northern’s School Yell: “Northern Normal! Rah, Rah! Rah, Rah! Northern Normal! Rah, Rah! Rah, Rah! Hoorah! Hoorah! Northern Normal! Rah, Rah! Rah, Rah!”"
1903 First “Homecoming”; alumni versus football team.
1905 Betsy the Bear came to Northern’s zoo as an 8-month-old black bear cub, a gift of Perry Ellwood.
Zoo removed from campus; animals transferred to Urbana where Professor Fred L. Charles took new job.
1909
First memorial fund in memory of Professor Fred L. Charles established. First nurse employed by student health services (Virginia Weinhold).
1912
December 1906 Scarlet fever outbreak in DeKalb.
1907
1911
1913
General Assembly gave normal schools power to confer baccalaureate degrees.
First bachelor’s degree earned by James Richard Grant from Dover, Alaska.
Northern’s first school song “Alma Mater” written by music Professor Neil A. Annas.
Alumni Association adopted first constitution and became a permanent organization.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
First African American graduate, Fanny Ruth Patterson of Hinckley, IL.
Northern’s first patent application was submitted; the patent was granted in 1918. U.S. joins WWI — Many Northern students enlist. April 6, 1917
1915
1917
Unenumerated, reduced yearbook produced to honor war efforts. The students decided to take the money that they would have spent on a yearbook and put it toward the purchase of an ambulance to be used in France during WWI.
1918
June 28, 1914 WWI began.
1916 Children from first training school class have now graduated from the Normal School and go on to become teachers.
First estate bequeathed to Northern by Andrew Brown; $22,000 estimated value of land and buildings. J. Stanley Brown named Northern’s second president.
Varsity athletics nicknamed “Cardinals” due to the red used for uniforms.
Track team formed.
Four-year curriculum added.
August 1, 1919
1919
1920
1924
August 26, 1920 -
19th amendment adopted into the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote.
1917 Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois State Normal School replaced by Normal School Board with authority over all five state normal schools.
1918 May Day renamed May Fete. Four student causalities at end of WWI: Howard Byers, Wendell Lindberg, Clinton Glidden and Martin Chase.
November 11, 1918
Faculty Club organized.
1920
1921
1925
Northern joined IIAC (IL Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).
Northern Illinois State Normal School (NISNS) renamed Northern Illinois State Teachers College (NISTC).
Math Professor Swen Parson appointed acting president. June 25, 1925
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
First alumni newspaper, Alumni Recall.
Alpha Phi Omega first fraternity on campus.
In recognition of athletics pioneer George G. “Chick” Evans, the Northern team name became the Evansmen, which later became Northerners, Teachers and Profs.
First Ice Carnival (later renamed Winter Carnival). January 29, 1931
WPA artist Gregory Orloff painted murals of campus life. Full undergraduate accreditation granted by North Central Association. April 19, 1935
Health Services established.
1926
1928
1929 Egyptian Theatre built.
1927 Formation of a student council.
February 28, 1927
Joseph Clifton Brown named third president. July 1, 1927
1930
1931
George G. “Chick” Evans hired as football coach.
First sorority formed — Sigma Chi Sigma.
Karl Langdon Adams named fourth president.
Northern given a Class A rating as a four-year, degree-granting college.
1935
Varsity athletics nicknamed “Giants” due to a succession of basketball, baseball and football conference titles from 1934-1936.
1936
February 15, 1931 Haish Memorial Library dedicated in DeKalb.
October 29, 1929 Stock market crashed.
1929
October 1, 1929
1931
Alumni Association incorporated.
1933
1936
1937
Elzie Cooper first African American studentathlete and first minority to earn a varsity letter. From 1933-1936, he played football, basketball and baseball. He was inducted into NIU’s Hall of Fame in 1983.
First physician hired.
Extension program inaugurated; first faculty taught extension classes offered at area high schools beginning in 1939.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
First year enrollment exceeded 1,000 (1,165). First football game broadcasted (WMRO). November 11, 1939
First All-American male athlete William Terwilliger, decathlon. First commencement held at the lagoon.
Ice Carnival renamed Winter Carnival (expanded to include a dance with crowning of Queen). January 19, 1945
37 student causalities at end of WWII.
Northern began airing radio programs at WLBK, DeKalb radio station. Northern remained the last Normal Teachers School in Illinois.
“NI on the Air” (Northern’s first regular radio show) broadcasted over DeKalb’s new station WLBK (1360 kilocycles).
First tugs event.
December 9, 1947
September 2, 1945
1939
1942
September 1, 1939 WWII began.
1940 Le Roy Davison, middleweight boxer, first Northern athlete who qualified for Olympics (no Olympics held in 1940 because of WWII). Varsity athletics formally adopted “Huskies” nickname. January 25, 1940
1945
1947
April 1944 DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport opened.
1944 Delta Sigma Epsilon first national sorority, Alpha Omicron chapter of 35 members. April 29, 1944
1946 First local civil rights protest when Ernest C. Smith (African American student athlete and war veteran) was refused service at Log Cabin Restaurant in downtown DeKalb. November 21, 1946
1947
1948
June 22, 1944 Roosevelt signed into law the G.I. Bill.
1947
1948
1948
Phi Sigma Epsilon, Sigma Chapter first national social fraternity on campus.
Golden Anniversary — celebrated 50 years since first class arrived.
President Karl Adams died in office.
May 19, 1947
First Homecoming queen was crowned (Lois Goetz). October 10, 1947
September 5, 1948
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Leslie A. Holmes named fifth president. February 1, 1949
First master’s degree granted (M.S. in Education). January 22, 1951
NISTC Foundation incorporated. March 31, 1949
Gov. Adlai Stevenson signed a bill which transferred 66 acres of Lowden Memorial State Park to Northern, named Lorado Taft after lead artist of the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony which had congregated there.
State University Civil Service System of IL (SUCSS) formed. Broadcasting booth set aside in Swen Parson for radio transmission.
Ken Henry won first and only Olympic gold medal in 500-meter speed skate.
February 16, 1952
Placement Bureau assigned to Student Personnel Services — later became part of Student Affairs Division.
Outdoor Education Center began at Lorado Taft Field Campus. Inter-Fraternity Council organized — purpose: unite goals of fraternities on campus.
August 7, 1951
1949
1951
1952
1952
1953
1954
1952
1953
1954
Swen Parson Library was built; Over 83,000 books carried from Jacob Haish Library on second floor of Altgeld Hall to the new facility.
President Holmes inaugurated one of his favorite extension programs at Stateville Prison.
Northern Illinois student paper renamed Northern Star.
May 17, 1954 Supreme Court ordered desegregation of schools and universities.
1950 Extension Service officially established. First Homecoming king crowned (George Acker).
October 13, 1950
1951 Freshman Week began with a welcome from Northern’s president Leslie Holmes. September 11, 1951
1952 Graduate School founded.
December 10, 1952
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Last year Chick Evans was football coach. Academic year changed from quarter to semester system.
Student Senate formed — replaced Student Activities Council and President’s Panel.
Oxford Seminar (study abroad) was initiated with nearly fifty students.
Seven new sororities and fraternities organized.
An updated version of Neil A. Annas’ “Alma Mater” song was written by former band Director Wilbur Smith and English Professor Orville Baker. It debuted on campus in 1961.
Victory Bell acquired by Alpha Phi Omega, purpose is to ring after each NIU victory.
Teachers College Board authorized non-education master’s degrees (Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees and Certificate of Advanced Study). November 17, 1958
The College of Fine and Applied Arts was established (renamed College of Visual and Performing Arts December 4, 1973).
1954
1955
1957 First Cornfest in DeKalb.
1954 WNIC-FM radio station launched. 25-hour rain deluge flooded campus.
October 9 – 10, 1954
1956
1958
1958
1957
1958
1959
Illinois Seventieth General Assembly renamed Northern Illinois State College to Northern Illinois University (expanded status as liberal arts university); official seal also changed (fourth seal).
Men’s cross-country team won NCAA College Division Championship in DeKalb (First National Championship for NIU).
First freshman admission policy put into place.
October 4, 1957 Sputnik launched.
1955 State Teachers College Board approved first non-teaching bachelor’s degrees. NISTC name changed to Northern Illinois State College; official seal changed with it (third seal). July 1, 1955
1957
1957 Bureau of University Research created by President Holmes to expand ability to analyze current operations and plan for the future. Evening College formed with Virgil Alexander to director (later renamed College of Continuing Education — 1966).
July 1, 1957
College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and College of Fine and Applied Arts founded -replaced the division system.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
First year enrollment exceeded 5,000 (5,125). Students were first permitted to earn university credit through courses offered on television. February 11, 1959
45% of students were from Cook County (demographic unlike earlier decades of students from farms and rural towns and with parents who had less than high school education).
The Delta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha became the first Afreican American sorority on campus.
NIU received first Peace Corps unit.
May 22, 1960
Francis Stroup’s “Huskie Fight Song” was first published in The Northern Star — a modest rewrite of Neil A. Annas’ 1913 “Loyalty Song” chorus, also with new lyrics.
First mainframe computer on campus, IBM 1620
November 17, 1961
1959
1960
1960
1961
1961
1962
1959
1960
1961
1961
1962
1962
College of Business established.
The first living mascots supported by NIU were “Huskie,” an Alaskan Malamute given to NIU who lived in the Field House, and “Kado,” a privately housed Husky purchased by the Student Senate and supported by the student activity fund. Kado was later approved by the Student Senate as the official school mascot.
First student demonstration — peace march of 1,500 students in front of Davis Hall — Committee for Students Rights, led by Barry Schrader, drew up a “12-point” program.
Eleanor Roosevelt visited NIU.
November 8, 1959
Dean Hainds from Liberal Arts and Sciences was given the responsibility of starting graduate programs throughout the university to conform with the Illinois state mandate that all state colleges were to become graduate level universities.
Referendum passed to allow state bond issue of $195M which financed many academic buildings around the state.
First doctoral programs approved (Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy).
Illinois Senate voted to create Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). July 1, 1961
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Kappa Alpha Rho was the first Black fraternity on campus.
Center for Southeast Asian Studies created. March 5, 1963
First doctorate degree conferred at NIU — Herbert J. Bergstein, Ed.D. in Business Education.
For the 1965-1966 school year, freshman students were not allowed to register cars on campus for the first time.
Last commencement held at the lagoon.
NIU hosted the Upward Bound Program for the first time.
June 6, 1964
August 6, 1964
1962
1963
1964
November 22, 1963 Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
1963 Live mascot Paradox. Total enrollment reached numbers greater than 10,000 (10,637).
1964 J. Joseph Bauxar, First University Archivist, appointed to preserve records of NIU — Swen Parson Library rooms 184 and 186. Anthropology Museum founded to support teaching. First object was a plaster cast of an Australopithecine hip bone.
1965
Huntley Park, DeKalb — more than 150 students gathered to condemn or commend American participation in the undeclared war in Vietnam. October 16, 1965
1965
1966
August 28, 1963 MLK delivered "I Have a Dream" at the March on Washington.
1964 Inaugural Madrigal Dinner, a medieval-style dinner that included servers and entertainers in Elizabethan period dress, had 400 attendees. Fourteen student singers, the Madrigal Singers, introduced each course with a song related to the food being served. Later years had six nights of dinners each with hundreds of attendees. The tradition lasted 25 years.
December 15, 1964
University Council approved establishment of the University Press. First book published was Heartland: Poets of the Midwest.
1965
1965
1966
Group of NIU faculty members in the College of Education decided to create a resource library to support original research by students (precursor to Blackwell Museum).
Last football game played on Glidden Field was against Northeastern Missouri University. NIU won 22-20. Glidden Field was used for 66 seasons.
Girls’ dorm hours changed from curfew of 7:30 p.m. on weeknights and 10:30 p.m. on weekends to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
October 9, 1965
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
College of Continuing Education established.
Rhoten A. Smith named sixth president. September 1, 1967
The Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award was established.
1966
NISNS mosaic seal removed during remodeling of Altgeld Hall lobby. Total enrollment reached numbers greater than 20,000 (20,719).
1967
1968
June 28 – July 3, 1969 Stonewall Riots.
1967 Muhammad Ali visited campus. Illinois Board of Higher Education established a Board of Regents to govern NIU. July 1, 1967
1968 WNIC-FM received permission to change call letters to WNIU-FM and frequency to 89.5 megacycles. Former Athletic Director Bob Brigham commissioned a “fighting” Huskie in a boxer’s stance as a team logo. Male and female versions were used for men’s and women’s athletics.
CHANCE (Complete Help and Assistance Necessary for a College Education) Program established for disadvantaged students at NIU; directed by McKinley “Deacon” Davis and his assistant Jerry Durley — to recruit students and continue to assist them on campus.
1968
Army ROTC approved by University Council; 88 students enrolled in the new military science department in August 1968.
Division of International Programs created.
February 21, 1968
1968
1969
1968
1969
November 10, 1969 Sesame Street premiered.
1968 First African American NIU police officer hired (Robert Phifer).
1968 NIU Black Choir formed. The Student Association formed based on the adoption of a new SA constitution and related reforms coinciding with national trends in collegiate student government.
200 African American students walked into President Rhoten Smith’s office with list of seven demands — called the university “racist” and demanded establishment of Black Studies Program.
Ombudsman position established by the University Council to handle complaints and grievances of faculty, staff and students.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Board of Regents changed the term Nonacademic Personnel to Operating Staff.
NIU elevated to University Division (D-1) status by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for varsity sports - making Northern the third school in the state with this recognition. The Victor E. Huskie costume made its debut around the same time.
University hosted the National Debate Tournament formerly held at West Point.
June 30, 1969
1969
1969
Bill Cosby “stormed into the community that ‘popped up out of the cornfield’ to stage a double performance.” 2,000 marched in the moratorium that preceded the national moratorium against the Vietnam War. October 15, 1969
1969
May 4, 1970 Kent State Shooting.
1969 Pass/Fail grading option added.
Gay Liberation Front became a recognized student organization; PRISM founded to address social and academic needs of gay and lesbian students, faculty and staff.
1970
NIU shut down for two days to avert violence — 8,000 students formed a peace march. May 6, 1970
Students blocked the bridge again.
May 20, 1970
Day three of protests. May 20, 1970
Day four of protests. May 21, 1970
1970
1970
1970
1970
May 15, 1970 Jackson State killings.
1969
1969
University Honors Program established.
Debut performance of Vermeer Quartet.
First celebrated Black History Month at NIU.
50 students entered Lowden Hall to speak with President Smith about the Black Studies Program which they felt was long overdue. December 11, 1969
First African American head coach Willie Kimmons, cross-country 1970-1973.
1970 1,500 spectators present for a meeting held by the Student Association during which Kent State University, ROTC, the war and possible closing of the university were discussed. May 5, 1970
Second two-day moratorium declared by President Smith for the two African American students shot at Jackson State University. Protesting students rendezvoused with President Smith at the Lincoln Highway bridge at midnight. May 18, 1970
The Illinois House of Representatives called upon all university state school officials to testify on the unrest and reasons for the temporary closing of universities in May 1970.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Black Studies Program consisting of an academic minor with courses offered in several departments was initiated.
1971
Richard J. Nelson named seventh president. August 1, 1971
University Libraries reached 500,000 volumes. An interdisciplinary Center for Minority Studies was established.
1971
1972
A group of women met in a classroom in Reavis Hall to discuss perceived inequities. This group went on to develop Women’s Studies, advocate for an affirmative action officer, and demand equal funding for the study of women, gender and sexuality.
1972
Elton John performed at the Chick Evans Field House on the first leg of his 1972 North American tour. May 13, 1972
NIU accepted membership in Mid-America Conference. March 5, 1973
NIU adopted new symbol of overlapping lowercase “n” and “u” (with an implied “i”) drawn in a grid of nine squares. May 17, 1973
1972
1973
July 1, 1971 The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving voting rights to those 18 and older.
1971 First female police officer hired (Diane Palombi). She was the first female officer hired on any campus in Illinois.
1971 Center for Black Studies established. October 1, 1971
1972 Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 was a major step forward toward equality in athletics in America. Foreign Language Residence Program established.
1972 NIU men’s basketball beat No. 5 ranked Indiana University. January 4, 1972
The NIU bus system was established.
1973 The NIU Steel Band was created by G. Allan O’Connor. It was the first steel band in an American university.
1973 College of Visual and Performing Arts is established; College of Professional Studies established (renamed College of Health and Human Sciences in 1995). December 4, 1973
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
75th Anniversary of NIU celebration — Earl Hayter’s book Education in Transition was published as a memorial to the university’s first 75 years since the campus opened its doors.
1974
First female dean: Barbara Seelye, College of Professional Studies, 1974-1980.
1974
College of Education Learning Center opened.
Merger of men’s and women’s athletics. President Richard Nelson responded to IL State Archivist John Daily's initiative and NIU joined 5 other public universities to form the IL Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) System - local government records placed under responsibility of University Archives.
1975
1976
Board of Regents approved consolidation of the Departments of Men’s and Women’s Physical Education into Department of Physical Education. July 1, 1976
President Nelson involved in minor auto accident in which a bicyclist suffered minor injury — Nelson did not report the accident to NIU or police (later turned into a grand jury indictment).
May 17, 1977
1976
1977
June 16, 1978 The musical film Grease was released, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
1974 During the first 50 years of NIU’s existence, 8,180 degrees were awarded. In the next 25 years (1949 to 1974), 53,940 degrees were awarded.
1974 Duke Ellington played his last public concert in the Holmes Student Center Ballroom. May Fete renamed Springfest.
1976
1976
Parents for NIU organized to increase communication between the university and students’ parents — sponsored Parents’ Day.
First MAC team championship in any sport — men’s golf.
The NISNS Mosaic Seal was placed in the floor of the Founders Memorial Library.
NIU Black Alumni Council founded.
Women’s Studies Program established.
1977 Opening of Anthropology Museum (then located in Stevens Building) to the public; inauguration was attended by worldrenowned anthropologist Margaret Mead. Last Norther yearbook published.
1978 Northern Illinois Regional History Center created. NIU Hall of Fame inducted a total of nine athletes and coaches in its inaugural year. Campus Child Care established.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Live mascot Star. President Nelson resigned — William Monat stepped in as acting president. January 26, 1978
1978
William R. Monat named eighth president. July 27, 1978
Center for Latino and Latin American Affairs (CLLAA) founded (renamed to Latino Resource Center).
1978
The Art Gallery moved to larger space in Swen Parson Hall from the area now known as the Thurgood Marshall Gallery to the second floor area that is now the Law Library.
College of Law transferred from Lewis University to NIU with approval of General Assembly of Illinois.
First Presidential Commission established.
NIRIS (Northern Illinois Radio Information Service) began broadcasting programming for the blind.
Women’s Resource Center established (now Gender and Sexuality Resource Center).
1979
1979
1980
1981
1979
1980
1980
1982
1980 First Corn Classic (10k) Race.
1978 NIU’s first personal computer purchased for $810. The Commodore PET came with 4KB RAM, a cassette tape drive and an eight inch monochrome monitor. (It is preserved in the University Archives.)
1979 University Resources for Women is founded.
College of Education resource library greatly expanded through Ruth Blackwell’s large donation of books and artifacts from her personal collection; resource library renamed to Blackwell Museum. Ruth Blackwell was a one-room schoolhouse teacher in South Dakota during the 1930s and 1940s. Men’s gymnastics beat No. 3 ranked Indiana State.
Last Winter Carnival. First All-American female athlete Janet Wentworth, badminton.
Library’s One Millionth Volume Celebration (Poems on Various Occasions by George Gordon, Lord Byron). September 9, 1980
NIU women’s badminton team won the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) title.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Faculty Development Office is formed; NIU is one of first universities to do this. Formal relationships established between NIU, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory.
1982
First presidential research professors named. First honorary degree granted to Leon Lederman, Director, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and recipient of the Wolf Prize in Physics and later Nobel laureate in physics; Doctor of Science (Sc.D.)
1983
NIU’s football appearance in the California Bowl set the modern direction of the athletic program and by extension contributed significantly to the contemporary public perception of the institution.
Gov. James Thompson signed HB 1530 allowing employees in public higher education to be represented by unions; also created the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB).
First yearbook published after eight-year hiatus, named Gargoyle. It lasted two issues.
Clyde J. Wingfield named ninth president. March 22, 1985
December 17, 1983
1983
1984
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
January 22, 1984 Apple's '1984' Mac ad aired during Super Bowl.
1982 College of Law moved to Swen Parson Hall. The NIU Social Science Research Institute was inaugurated in the former Rice Hotel.
1983 University adopted a new official seal; seal was redesigned after complaints that old seal was too similar to the state seal.
1983 NIU’s governing board approved Martin Luther King Jr. Commons as the name for the area between Founders Memorial Library and the Holmes Student Center. December 8, 1983
William R. Monat named first Board of Regents chancellor. July 1, 1984
Huskie logo became the dog’s head or “wolf” Huskie.
First minority Vice President Eddie R. Williams, Administrative Affairs.
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology founded. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday established at NIU.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Engineering students started meeting in Sycamore building.
John E. LaTourette named 10th president.
NIU Broadcast Center established on First Street.
University Resources for Latinos formed from Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS).
First named professorship — Donald Kieso, Peat Marwick Professor of Accounting.
First annual Deaf Awareness Week was held to provide interaction between hearing and non-hearing students.
May 1, 1986
Center for Burma Studies established. September 18, 1986
NIU added sexual orientation to those identities protected under the university’s constitution.
November 2, 1987
Women’s basketball coach Jane Albright established the highest attendance at a women’s basketball game with more than 6,000 fans in a game against DePaul University. She went on to take the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
Swen Parson Gallery name changed to NIU Art Museum to reflect its growing collection. Simultaneously, the museum was established as a separate academic unit within CVPA.
February 15, 1989
1986
1986
1987
April 15 – June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
1986 NIU Bowling Club finished sixth against top 16 teams in the country at national match.
1987 Anthropology Professor William Fash was awarded a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship to record and protect important Maya sculptures in Copan, Honduras and especially to preserve the famous Hieroglyphic Stairway.
1988
1989
1990
December 17, 1989 The Simpson premiered.
1988 The “running” Huskie logo was designed by John Vieceli of McMillan Associates in Dundee, Illinois who worked with the athletic director, Gerald O’Dell.
1989 The Women’s Alliance was formed for gender equality around campus. One of the longest-running student organizations on campus.
1989 Faculty Senate established.
September 21, 1989
1990 George Bork first NIU athlete inducted into College Football Hall of Fame.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Center for Access-Ability Resources (now known as the Disability Resource Center) established.
1990
NIU football won over nationally ranked and undefeated Fresno State University 73-18. October 6, 1990
NIU Art Museum moved to the second floor auditorium of Altgeld Hall. College of Continuing Education disestablished.
1990
Faculty Development Office added orientation and training of graduate teaching assistants to its offerings.
First African American female head coach Liz Galloway-McQuitter, women’s basketball.
First Official seal changed as part of Centennial Celebration; features Castle on a Hill (Altgeld Hall).
1991
1993
1994
1995
1991
1994
1995
1995
December 3, 1994 Sony Playstation introduced.
1990 Priorities, Quality and Productivity (PQP) initiative begun by the IBHE. This four-year process recommended the elimination of nearly 200 academic programs statewide, including NIU’s Law School.
1990 WNIU and NIRIS joined WNIJ and WKDI at new broadcast center in DeKalb. WNIU (classical music); WNIJ (news and jazz); WKDI (progressive and new age music); and NIRIS (programming for the blind) moved out of Kishwaukee Hall.
University Writing Center established. First Presidential Teaching Professors awarded.
Department of English introduced computerized instruction in the Freshman English Program. First female athletic director named (Cary Groth) — one of only four in the U.S.
The first Endowed Chair at NIU was established in the College of Education with a gift of $1.7M from John P. and Ruth Morgridge. The gift was to honor 1915 NIU graduates Ruth Gordon and L.D. Morgridge.
First distance learning courses offered by TeleVideo in the Learning Center in Gabel Hall. College of Professional Studies changed to College of Health and Human Sciences.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Centennial Celebration began in recognition of the cornerstone laying in 1895. The Centennial Celebration culminated in 1999 with the recognition of the centennial of the opening of Northern first classes held in 1899.
1995
NIU Jazz Ensemble invited to play at the world-renowned Montreaux Jazz Festival; the following year the ensemble was the official back-up band to Phil Collins.
1997
August 31, 1997 Death of Princess Diana.
1996 NIU Board of Trustees became an independent authority. Debut of inflatable mascot Huskie Jr.
1997 Center for Southeast Asian Studies became one of nine federally funded National Resource Centers for study of the region.
Art Museum began phase as Museum without Walls partnering on public art projects. Faculty Club disbanded. College of Business created the Experiential Learning Center (ELC).
1998
Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources program established. Milan Township Schoolhouse donated to Blackwell Museum of Education and reconstructed on campus.
1999
September 4, 1998 Google was founded.
1998 Faculty Development Office reorganized into the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center. NIU football team broke nation’s longest losing streak; goalposts torn down in celebration. October 10, 1998
2000 Northern Illinois Center for Accelerator and Detector Design established.
NIU admitted to Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).
2000
Carnegie Foundation designated NIU as a top-tier research institution (top 4% nationally).
2000
April 20, 1999 Columbine High School shooting.
2000 Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development established.
2001 The Huskie logo was changed to the “standing” Huskie.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Center for Diversity Resources opened. John G. Peters appointed 11th president. June 1, 2002
Carol Hammerle recognized for 500 victories as women’s basketball coach after a 63-42 triumph over University of Akron. February 2, 2002
Center for P-20 Engagement established.
2001
2002
NIU photographers switched from film to digital.
2003
Continuing Education placed under newly created NIU Outreach.
Most of the College of Health and Human Sciences moved to centralized location in Wirtz Hall after seven years in Gilbert Hall.
2003 NIU Theatre students began annual summer program at Moscow Art Theatre. Football team beat traditional powerhouses University of Alabama and University of Maryland; named No. 12 in Associated Press poll (highest ranking ever).
NIU hosted the rededication of the newly renovated Altgeld Hall.
University Resources for Women became Women’s Resource Center.
NIU Art Museum relocated to the first floor west end of Altgeld Hall.
Campus Transportation Department and NIU Police began using Toyota Prius cars.
Terrorist attack on World Trade Center, New York and Pentagon, Washington, D.C. President George W. Bush declared War on Terror.
2003
March 17, 2003
Annual mandatory online ethics training for State of Illinois employees started.
September 11, 2001 -
2001
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center opened.
2003
2004
2005
February, 2004 Facebook formed.
2004 After many years in the Pottenger House, the Department of Military Science/ROTC moved to its new location in Chick Evans Field House.
2005 University Archivist Glen A. Gildemeister published his book Castle on a Hill — a photographic history of NIU and community.
2005 Live mascot named Diesel (2005-2013; died Sept. 6, 2015). Asian American Resource Center established.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Library’s Two Millionth Volume Celebration — The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (first edition, first issue); Tribes of Burma: a hand painted manuscript...; online edition of Historical Chicago Tribune (1849-1996).
NIU plate licensed by Secretary of State. September 23, 2006
Five students killed and 21 others injured in mass shooting in Cole Hall.
Huskies on Parade public art initiative.
February 14, 2008
First STEM Fest opened its doors to the public; the annual event draws an average of 7,000 children and families with nearly 700 student, faculty and staff volunteers.
April 7, 2005
First Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day. Foundation’s True North campaign ($150M goal achieved 59,000 donors, $160M): supported three state-of-the-art facilities and endowed scholarships, fellowships, professorships and chairs. August 12, 2010
2005
2006
April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech Campus shooting.
2005
2007
NIU purchased the Monsanto Building on Sycamore Road.
Avalon Quartet became NIU’s resident string quartet.
Off-Campus and Non-Traditional Student Service established.
Student Involvement and Leadership Development (SILD) hosted first Day of Service (precursor to NIU Cares Day).
2008
2008
2009
2010
January 20, 2009 Barack Obama sworn in as 44th US President - first African American president.
2008 American Sign Language accepted as foreign language.
2009 Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy established.
2010 The Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning established. Center for Non-Governmental Organization Leadership and Development (NGOLD) established.
2010 NIU awarded a $68.5M broadband initiative grant — the largest grant in university history — by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop a broadband network that spreads across nine counties in northwest Illinois.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
New university logo adopted (Altgeld Hall tower with NIU word mark).
2011
NIU scientists co-led research team drilling under the Antarctic ice sheet.
NIU won APLU’s inaugural Innovation and Economic Prosperity award.
Live mascot Mission (2013-Present).
Doug Baker named 12th president.
2013
July 1, 2013
2013
2012 DeKalb County Community Gardens organized.
2012 Institute for Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy created. Green Up, NIU! initiative started.
2013
2014
Inaugural President’s Welcome Back Picnic.
NIU filed for its 125th patent.
NIU football competed in 2013 Orange Bowl.
University provided Zipcars for short term auto rentals.
Women’s Resource Center and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center merged into the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center.
2014
Appointment of Chief Diversity Officer Vernese Edghill Williams. August 1, 2015
2015
Off-Campus and Non-Traditional Student Services merged with Military Student Services to become the new Office of Military and Post-Traditional Student Services.
2015
2014 Shooting of Michael Brown; Black Lives Matter movement.
2015 The Great Snowball Fight of 2015 — a spontaneous event involving hundreds of students. February 2, 2015
2015 State budget impasse, a 793-day-long budget crisis; initiatives such as Program Prioritization (fall 2015) created. Impasse ends Aug. 31, 2017. July 1, 2015
2016 Anthropology Museum (now located in Cole Hall) name changed to Pick Museum of Anthropology in honor of endowment from donors James B. and Rosalyn L. Pick. All-gender bathrooms established.
BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Huskie Food Pantry established. NIU Parking Services provided free parking on campus after 5 p.m. on weeknights.
2016 January 21, 2017 Women’s March.
2016 Homecoming court replaced “king” and “queen” with “royalty.”
NIU hosted NCAA Division I national men’s and women’s golf championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.
2017
Anywhere Prints established campuswide. Asian American Center relocated to larger accessible space.
2018
“ENUF,” choreographed by NIU School of Theatre and Dance Professor Paula Frasz, was performed by eleven NIU students at the National College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
2018
March 24, 2018 March for Our Lives.
2017 The Residence Hall Association awarded the distinction of Most Spirited Delegation during the national National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) conference at Purdue University. Acting President Lisa Freeman issued statement in support of undocumented students. December 5, 2017
2018 Discover and NIU launched Center for Student Innovation. NIU announced plan to build Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability, largely funded with state grant. NIU bus system merged with city of DeKalb.
Lisa Freeman Investiture; new university mace revealed. An NIU alumnus created Dawgma Beer with a familiar Huskie dog logo.
2019
Live mascot Mission II (aka Mini-Mish) first official appearance. September 17, 2019
ESports Cafés opened on DeKalb, Naperville, and Hoffman Estates campuses.
2019
2019 First ever image of a black hole.
2018 Lisa C. Freeman appointed NIU’s 13th president and first female president. September 20, 2018
2019 NIU Foundation hosted Day of Giving, an online fundraising campaign lasting 1,895 minutes (in honor of the founding year of NIU). NIU gymnastics won the 2019 MAC Conference Championship. March 23, 2019
2020 Disability Resource Center relocated to Campus Life Building. NIU celebrates its Quasquicentennial.