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 J. W. Cook formally accepted position as president of the Northern Illinois
State Normal School.

July 1, 1899 John Williston Cook became first president.

September 12, 1899 Northern Illinois State Normal School (Altgeld Hall) opened for its
first day of classes.

September 21-23, 1899 “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. 1971 FCNS adds a daycare center at the old Notre Dame High School on
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. 1972 A Computer Center built (later became Northern TV Center).
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) 1975 The Music Building and Boutell Memorial Concert Hall opened.
and Still Gym opened. The College of Education Learning Center opened.
1936 WPA workers completed the construction of the circle drive in 1976 Farwell Hall closed. Original Altgeld Hall NISNS mosaic seal
front of Altgeld Hall and transformed East Lagoon. placed in Founders Memorial Library foyer.
1941 Kiwanis skating bench built. Restaurant built on the east side of 1977 Founders Memorial Library opened. NIU Foundation purchased
the Kishwaukee River — later known as Jimmie’s, the College Tea Odekirk Home.
Room, Student Union, Kishwaukee Hall, and Campbell Hall. 1980 Sculpture "Pervasive Cycle" dedicated for permanent display
1943 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. 1981 Hall of Fame Room and south offices were added to Chick Evans
1950 University acquired property near Oregon, IL for Lorado Field House.
Taft Field Campus. Freshman Bench given the nickname 1982 Martin Luther King Jr. Commons opened.
Kissing Bench. 1984 Holmes Student Center sky room was renamed “Clara Sperling
1951 Gilbert Hall for men opened. Sky Room.”
1952 Swen Franklin Parson library opened. 1986 NIU purchased Roberts Elementary School building to be used as
1955 Neptune Residence Hall for women opened. School of Nursing building.
1956 Veterans' Memorial Flag Pole placed and dedicated. 1990 “Pyramus and Thisbe Rising Over Snowy Peaks”
1957 Reavis Hall and Chick Evans Field House opened. "Campus Wood" sculpture donated.
named Montgomery Arboretum. 1991 “The Balance of Equality” sculpture placed in the MLK Commons.
1958 The Health Services building and University School Bill of Rights Plaza east of Swen Parson Hall constructed.
(Gabel Hall) opened. 1992 Hoffman Estates Education Center opened. NIU purchased Rice
1959 The Fine Arts Building (Stevens Building), Neptune West Hall Hotel building. MLK Commons brickwork, concrete walkways,
and Physical Plant opened. and landscaping completed.
1960 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.
1961 The 14 barracks at the corner of Lucinda Avenue and Garden Road Thomas C. Wiegle Library opened in SSRI.
are torn down. 1994 East lobby of Swen Parson Hall was dedicated as the Thurgood
1962 Central Receiving, Transportation, West Heating Plant, Marshall Gallery.
Lincoln Hall, Watson Hall and University Center (Holmes Student 1995 Engineering Building, Faraday West, Campus Life Building and
Center) opened. Recreation Center opened. Rockford Education Center opened.
1963 Faraday Hall, Lincoln Residence Hall and Douglas Residence Hall Castle Drive entrance gates reconstructed.
are opened. The Pheasant Room (later Ellington's) opened as first 1998 The Naperville Education Center and Latino Resource Center
formal dining room on campus. opened. Community Mural at First Street and Lincoln
1964 Graham Hall, Anderson Hall and Communications and Security Highway painted.
Building opened. 1999 The Milan Township Schoolhouse reconstructed on campus.
1965 The Castle on the Hill, later called the Ad(ministration) Building, 2000 Huskie Stadium field scoreboard and video display system
was renamed Altgeld Hall. “I Love You” bridge at the lagoon 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.
1966 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
1967 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.
1968 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 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".
1969 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.
1970 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 “NI” athletic logo First student athletic The Marching Band “The Castle on the Hill” Northern Illinois,
Normal School opened created; used from 1899 coach, John L. Keith started with 14 members. (Administration Building) published its first issue
with 173 students (146 to 1968 when first Huskie (football, men's Now nearly 200 strong. opened its doors. It was (14 pages long). All but 3
women, 27 men). logo was accepted. basketball). renamed Altgeld Hall in of the 173 enrolled
September 12, 1899 School Colors selected - 1964 in honor of John students subscribed,
First official seal. yellow and white. Peter Altgeld, governor raising the necessary
President Cook taught of Illinois, who approved funds to publish it.
first course, psychology, of the Northern Illinois The monthly student
during first hour. State Normal School. newspaper was
September 12, 1899
conceived by Prof.
Fred L. Charles.
DeKalb "Crimson Days"
3-day celebration.
September 22, 1899

1899 1899

February 4, 1899 -
Philippine–American War begins.

1899 1899
Colonel Isaac Ellwood Haish Library created Establishment of first First athletic Varsity athletics First football game
furnished the funds to (Jacob Haish donated student organizations organizations formed: nicknamed played against DeKalb
finish construction of the $10,000; located on (including DeKalb The Ellwood Basketball "Profs"(1899-1920s); High School.
campus entrance gates. second floor of Altgeld); Normal School Tennis, Team; The Glidden AKA "Northerners";
Librarian Ella Warwick Camera Club, Ionian Basketball Team; The "Teachers".
John W. Cook named ($20/month salary) and Society, a young Football Team; The
first president; longest Library Assistant Grace women’s literary club, Baseball Team. Charles McMurry named
tenure in office at 21 Babitt were first staff Ellwood and Glidden first Director of Practice
years 1 month; salary employees. Societies, coed Training School.
$5,000/year, which competitive literary
remained the same until teams).
he left in 1919.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

First library book First student loan fund. First faculty athletic First issue of the Norther Teddy Roosevelt spoke School color debate —
purchased; Legends of coach Fred L. Charles, yearbook issued. in “Campus Wood” While the school colors
the Virgin and Christ by First library card issued. biology professor when he visited DeKalb were yellow and white,
H. A. Guerber (1897), (baseball, women’s First men’s basketball while campaigning for the class of 1901 had its
for $0.94. basketball). game. president. Campus own color: Sky Blue.
November 15, 1899 February 1, 1900 Wood was part of the
60-plus acre tract of land
that was given by Joseph
Glidden.
October 6, 1900

Girls’ Athletic
Association was created.
November 14, 1900

1899 1900 1900 1900 1900 1901

1900 -
Milan One-Room Township District 83 schoolhouse built.

1899 1900 1900 1900 1900 1901

First term ended. First baseball game Northern Illinois Teachers First women’s basketball School passed its First class completed
December 21, 1899 played against Sycamore Association established game. trial year. the two-year degree
High School. loan fund of $300. March 8, 1900 program.

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 Zoo established; First international Northern Illinois Athletic Zoo removed from First memorial fund in
gathering (precursor to served as outreach for students from the Association adopted campus; animals memory of Professor
homecoming). elementary learning Philippines: Antonio cardinal and black as transferred to Urbana Fred L. Charles
in surrounding Nera, Joseph Cabrera, official colors. where Professor Fred L. established.
First female head coach communities. Gregorio Manuel, Charles took new job.
Jessica Foster, women’s Segundo Hiplito, The term “Homecoming” First nurse employed by
basketball. Mariano Carbonell, and was first used in the student health services
Gregorio Ramirez. school newspaper, the (Virginia Weinhold).
Northern Illinois.

1901 1902 1904 1906 1909 1912

February 1, 1904 - December 1906 -

First consolidated school in Illinois. Scarlet fever outbreak in DeKalb.

1902 1903 1905 1907 1911 1913

Northern joined the First “Homecoming”; Betsy the Bear came to General Assembly gave First bachelor’s degree Northern’s first school
Interstate League of alumni versus football Northern’s zoo as an normal schools power earned by James Richard song “Alma Mater”
Normal Schools. team. 8-month-old black bear to confer baccalaureate Grant from Dover, Alaska. written by music
cub, a gift of Perry degrees. Professor Neil A. Annas.
Northern’s School Yell: Ellwood.
“Northern Normal! Rah, Alumni Association
Rah! Rah, Rah! Northern adopted first
Normal! Rah, Rah! Rah, constitution and
Rah! Hoorah! Hoorah! became a permanent
Northern Normal! Rah, organization.
Rah! Rah, Rah!”"
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

First African American Northern’s first patent Unenumerated, reduced First estate bequeathed Varsity athletics Track team formed.
graduate, Fanny Ruth application was yearbook produced to to Northern by Andrew nicknamed “Cardinals”
Patterson of Hinckley, IL. submitted; the patent honor war efforts. The Brown; $22,000 due to the red used
was granted in 1918. students decided to take estimated value of land for uniforms.
the money that they and buildings.
U.S. joins WWI — Many would have spent on a Four-year curriculum
Northern students enlist. yearbook and put it J. Stanley Brown named added.
April 6, 1917 toward the purchase of Northern’s second
an ambulance to be used president.
in France during WWI. August 1, 1919

1915 1917 1918 1919 1920 1924

June 28, 1914 - August 26, 1920 -

WWI began. 19th amendment adopted into the U.S. Constitution,
giving women the right to vote.

1916 1917 1918 1920 1921 1925

Children from first Board of Trustees of May Day renamed Northern joined IIAC (IL Northern Illinois State Math Professor Swen
training school class Northern Illinois State May Fete. Intercollegiate Athletic Normal School (NISNS) Parson appointed acting
have now graduated Normal School replaced Conference). renamed Northern Illinois president.
from the Normal School by Normal School Board Four student causalities State Teachers College June 25, 1925
and go on to become with authority over all at end of WWI: Howard (NISTC).
teachers. five state normal schools. Byers, Wendell Lindberg,
Clinton Glidden and
Martin Chase.
November 11, 1918

Faculty Club organized.

 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

First alumni newspaper, Alpha Phi Omega first In recognition of First Ice Carnival WPA artist Gregory Alumni Association
Alumni Recall. fraternity on campus. athletics pioneer George (later renamed Winter Orloff painted murals of incorporated.
G. “Chick” Evans, the Carnival). campus life.
Northern team name January 29, 1931 Varsity athletics
became the Evansmen, Full undergraduate nicknamed “Giants”
which later became accreditation granted due to a succession of
Northerners, Teachers by North Central basketball, baseball and
and Profs. Association. football conference titles
April 19, 1935 from 1934-1936.
Health Services
established.

1926 1928 1930 1931 1935 1936

1929 - October 29, 1929 - February 15, 1931 -

Egyptian Theatre built. Stock market crashed. Haish Memorial Library dedicated in DeKalb.

1927 1929 1931 1933 1936 1937

Formation of a student George G. “Chick” Evans First sorority formed — Elzie Cooper first African First physician hired. Extension program
council. hired as football coach. Sigma Chi Sigma. American student- inaugurated; first faculty
February 28, 1927 athlete and first minority taught extension classes
Karl Langdon Adams Northern given a Class A to earn a varsity letter. offered at area high
Joseph Clifton Brown
named fourth president. rating as a four-year, From 1933-1936, he schools beginning
named third president. October 1, 1929
July 1, 1927 degree-granting college. played football, basket- in 1939.
ball and baseball. He was
inducted into NIU’s Hall
of Fame in 1983.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

First year enrollment First All-American Ice Carnival renamed Northern began airing “NI on the Air” First tugs event.
exceeded 1,000 (1,165). male athlete William Winter Carnival radio programs at WLBK, (Northern’s first regular
Terwilliger, decathlon. (expanded to include DeKalb radio station. radio show) broadcasted
First football game a dance with crowning over DeKalb’s new
broadcasted (WMRO). First commencement of Queen). Northern remained the station WLBK
November 11, 1939 held at the lagoon. January 19, 1945 last Normal Teachers (1360 kilocycles).
School in Illinois. December 9, 1947
37 student causalities at
end of WWII.
September 2, 1945

1939 1942 1945 1947 1947 1948

September 1, 1939 - April 1944 - June 22, 1944 -

WWII began. DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport opened. Roosevelt signed into law the G.I. Bill.

1940 1944 1946 1947 1948 1948

Le Roy Davison, Delta Sigma Epsilon first First local civil rights Phi Sigma Epsilon, Golden Anniversary — President Karl Adams
middleweight boxer, national sorority, Alpha protest when Ernest C. Sigma Chapter first celebrated 50 years died in office.
first Northern athlete Omicron chapter of Smith (African American national social fraternity since first class arrived. September 5, 1948
who qualified for 35 members. student athlete and war on campus.
Olympics (no Olympics April 29, 1944 veteran) was refused ser- May 19, 1947
held in 1940 because vice at Log Cabin
of WWII). Restaurant in downtown First Homecoming
DeKalb. queen was crowned
Varsity athletics November 21, 1946 (Lois Goetz).
October 10, 1947
formally adopted
“Huskies” nickname.
January 25, 1940
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Leslie A. Holmes named First master’s State University Civil Ken Henry won first and Placement Bureau Outdoor Education
fifth president. degree granted Service System of IL only Olympic gold medal assigned to Student Center began at Lorado
February 1, 1949 (M.S. in Education). (SUCSS) formed. in 500-meter speed Personnel Services — Taft Field Campus.
January 22, 1951 skate. later became part of
NISTC Foundation Broadcasting booth set February 16, 1952 Student Affairs Division. Inter-Fraternity Council
incorporated. Gov. Adlai Stevenson
aside in Swen Parson for organized — purpose:
March 31, 1949 signed a bill which
radio transmission. unite goals of fraternities
transferred 66 acres of
on campus.
Lowden Memorial State
Park to Northern, named
Lorado Taft after lead
artist of the Eagle’s Nest
Art Colony which had
congregated there.
August 7, 1951

1949 1951 1952 1952 1953 1954

May 17, 1954 -

Supreme Court ordered desegregation of schools and universities.

1950 1951 1952 1952 1953 1954

Extension Service Freshman Week began Graduate School Swen Parson Library was President Holmes Northern Illinois student
officially established. with a welcome from founded. built; Over 83,000 books inaugurated one of his paper renamed
Northern’s president carried from Jacob Haish favorite extension Northern Star.
First Homecoming Leslie Holmes. Library on second floor programs at Stateville
king crowned September 11, 1951 of Altgeld Hall to the Prison.
(George Acker). new facility.
October 13, 1950 December 10, 1952
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Last year Chick Evans Student Senate formed
was football coach. — replaced Student
Activities Council and
Academic year changed President’s Panel.
from quarter to semester
system. Seven new sororities and
fraternities organized.
1954 1955
1957 - October 4, 1957 -
First Cornfest in DeKalb. Sputnik launched.
1954 1955
WNIC-FM radio station State Teachers College
launched. Board approved first
non-teaching bachelor’s
25-hour rain deluge degrees.
flooded campus.
October 9 – 10, 1954 NISTC name changed
to Northern Illinois State
College; official seal
changed with it
(third seal).
July 1, 1955
Oxford Seminar (study
abroad) was initiated
with nearly fifty students.
1956
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).
An updated version of Victory Bell acquired by Teachers College
Neil A. Annas’ “Alma Alpha Phi Omega, Board authorized
Mater” song was written purpose is to ring after non-education master’s
by former band Director each NIU victory. degrees (Master of Arts
Wilbur Smith and English and Master of Science
Professor Orville Baker. degrees and Certificate
It debuted on campus of Advanced Study).
in 1961. November 17, 1958
The College of Fine and
Applied Arts was estab-
lished (renamed College
of Visual and Performing
Arts December 4, 1973).
1957 1958 1958
1957 1958 1959
Illinois Seventieth Men’s cross-country First freshman admission
General Assembly team won NCAA College policy put into place.
renamed Northern Division Championship in
Illinois State College DeKalb (First National College of Education,
to Northern Illinois Championship for NIU). College of Liberal Arts
University (expanded and Sciences, and
status as liberal arts College of Fine and
university); official Applied Arts founded
seal also changed -replaced the division
(fourth seal). system.
July 1, 1957
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

First year enrollment 45% of students were The Delta Omicron NIU received first Peace Francis Stroup’s “Huskie First mainframe
exceeded 5,000 (5,125). from Cook County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Corps unit. Fight Song” was first computer on campus,
(demographic unlike Alpha became the first published in The IBM 1620
Students were first earlier decades of Afreican American Northern Star — a
permitted to earn students from farms sorority on campus. modest rewrite of Neil A.
university credit and rural towns and May 22, 1960 Annas’ 1913 “Loyalty
through courses with parents who had Song” chorus, also with
offered on television. less than high school new lyrics.
February 11, 1959 education). November 17, 1961

1959 1960 1960 1961 1961 1962

1959 1960 1961 1961 1962 1962

Eleanor Roosevelt Referendum passed to First doctoral programs College of Business The first living mascots First student
visited NIU. allow state bond issue of approved (Doctor of established. supported by NIU were demonstration —
November 8, 1959 $195M which financed Education and Doctor of “Huskie,” an Alaskan peace march of 1,500
many academic buildings Philosophy). Illinois Senate voted to Malamute given to NIU students in front of Davis
Dean Hainds from around the state. create Illinois Board of who lived in the Field Hall — Committee for
Liberal Arts and Higher Education (IBHE). House, and “Kado,” a Students Rights, led by
Sciences was given the July 1, 1961 privately housed Husky Barry Schrader, drew up
responsibility of starting purchased by the a “12-point” program.
graduate programs Student Senate and
throughout the supported by the
university to conform student activity fund.
with the Illinois state Kado was later approved
mandate that all state by the Student Senate
colleges were to as the official school
become graduate level mascot.
universities.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Kappa Alpha Rho was Center for Southeast First doctorate degree
the first Black fraternity Asian Studies created. conferred at NIU —
on campus. March 5, 1963 Herbert J. Bergstein,
Ed.D. in Business
Education.
June 6, 1964
Last commencement
held at the lagoon.
August 6, 1964
For the 1965-1966 school University Council Huntley Park, DeKalb —
year, freshman students approved establishment more than 150 students
were not allowed to of the University Press. gathered to condemn or
register cars on campus First book published was commend American
for the first time. Heartland: Poets of the participation in the
Midwest. undeclared war
NIU hosted the Upward in Vietnam.
Bound Program for the October 16, 1965
first time.

1962 1963 1964 1965 1965 1966

November 22, 1963 - August 28, 1963 -

Assassination of President John F. Kennedy. MLK delivered "I Have a Dream" at the March on Washington.

1963 1964 1964 1965 1965 1966

Live mascot Paradox. J. Joseph Bauxar, First Inaugural Madrigal Group of NIU faculty Last football game Girls’ dorm hours
University Archivist, Dinner, a medieval-style members in the College played on Glidden Field changed from curfew of
Total enrollment appointed to preserve dinner that included of Education decided to was against Northeastern 7:30 p.m. on weeknights
reached numbers records of NIU — Swen servers and entertainers create a resource library Missouri University. NIU and 10:30 p.m. on
greater than 10,000 Parson Library rooms in Elizabethan period to support original won 22-20. Glidden Field weekends to 11 p.m.
(10,637). 184 and 186. dress, had 400 research by students was used for 66 seasons. Sunday through
attendees. Fourteen (precursor to Blackwell October 9, 1965 Thursday and 1 a.m. on
Anthropology Museum student singers, the Museum). Friday and Saturday.
founded to support Madrigal Singers,
teaching. First object introduced each course
was a plaster cast of with a song related to
an Australopithecine the food being served.
hip bone. Later years had six
nights of dinners each
with hundreds of
attendees. The tradition
lasted 25 years.
December 15, 1964
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

College of Continuing Rhoten A. Smith named NISNS mosaic seal CHANCE (Complete Help Army ROTC approved Division of International
Education established. sixth president. removed during and Assistance Necessary by University Council; Programs created.
September 1, 1967 remodeling of Altgeld for a College Education) 88 students enrolled
The Excellence in Hall lobby. Program established for in the new military
Undergraduate Teaching disadvantaged students science department in
Award was established. Total enrollment reached at NIU; directed by August 1968.
numbers greater than McKinley “Deacon” Davis February 21, 1968
20,000 (20,719). and his assistant Jerry
Durley — to recruit
students and continue to
assist them on campus.

1966 1967 1968 1968 1968 1969

June 28 – July 3, 1969 - November 10, 1969 -

Stonewall Riots. Sesame Street premiered.

1967 1968 1968 1968 1968 1969

Muhammad Ali visited WNIC-FM received First African American NIU Black Choir formed. 200 African American Ombudsman position
campus. permission to change call NIU police officer hired students walked into established by the
letters to WNIU-FM and (Robert Phifer). The Student Association President Rhoten Smith’s University Council to
Illinois Board of Higher frequency to 89.5 formed based on office with list of seven handle complaints and
Education established a megacycles. the adoption of a new demands — called the grievances of faculty,
Board of Regents to SA constitution and university “racist” and staff and students.
govern NIU. Former Athletic related reforms coincid- demanded establishment
July 1, 1967 Director Bob Brigham ing with national trends of Black Studies
commissioned a in collegiate student Program.
“fighting” Huskie in a government.
boxer’s stance as a team
logo. Male and female
versions were used
for men’s and women’s
athletics.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Board of Regents NIU elevated to
changed the term University Division (D-1)
Nonacademic Personnel status by the National
to Operating Staff. Collegiate Athletic
Association for varsity
University hosted the sports - making Northern
National Debate the third school in the
Tournament formerly state with this recognition.
held at West Point. The Victor E. Huskie
costume made its debut
around the same time.
June 30, 1969
1969 1969
May 4, 1970 -
Kent State Shooting.
1969 1969
Pass/Fail grading option University Honors
added. Program established.
First celebrated Black
History Month at NIU.
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 15, 1970 -
Jackson State killings.
1969
Debut performance of
Vermeer Quartet.
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.
Gay Liberation Front NIU shut down for two Students blocked the
became a recognized days to avert violence — bridge again.
student organization; 8,000 students formed May 20, 1970
PRISM founded to a peace march.
May 6, 1970 Day three of protests.
address social and May 20, 1970
academic needs of gay
and lesbian students, Day four of protests.
faculty and staff. May 21, 1970
1970 1970 1970
1970 1970 1970
1,500 spectators present Second two-day The Illinois House of
for a meeting held by the moratorium declared by Representatives called
Student Association President Smith for the upon all university
during which Kent State two African American state school officials to
University, ROTC, the students shot at Jackson testify on the unrest
war and possible closing State University. and reasons for the
of the university were Protesting students temporary closing of
discussed. rendezvoused with universities in May 1970.
May 5, 1970 President Smith at the
Lincoln Highway bridge
at midnight.
May 18, 1970
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Black Studies Program Richard J. Nelson named University Libraries A group of women met in Elton John performed at NIU accepted member-
consisting of an academic seventh president. reached 500,000 a classroom in Reavis Hall the Chick Evans Field ship in Mid-America
minor with courses August 1, 1971 volumes. to discuss perceived House on the first leg of Conference.
offered in several inequities. This group his 1972 North American March 5, 1973
departments was An interdisciplinary went on to develop tour.
initiated. Center for Minority Women’s Studies, May 13, 1972 NIU adopted new symbol
Studies was established. advocate for an affirma- of overlapping lowercase
tive action officer, and “n” and “u” (with an
demand equal funding for implied “i”) drawn in a
the study of women, grid of nine squares.
May 17, 1973
gender and sexuality.

1971 1971 1972 1972 1972 1973

July 1, 1971 -
The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving voting rights to those 18 and older.

1971 1971 1972 1972 1973 1973

First female police Center for Black Studies Title IX of the Education NIU men’s basketball The NIU Steel Band was College of Visual and
officer hired (Diane established. Amendments Act of 1972 beat No. 5 ranked created by G. Allan Performing Arts is
Palombi). She was the October 1, 1971 was a major step forward Indiana University. O’Connor. It was the established; College of
first female officer hired toward equality in January 4, 1972 first steel band in an Professional Studies
on any campus in athletics in America. American university. established (renamed
Illinois. The NIU bus system was College of Health and
Foreign Language established. Human Sciences in 1995).
Residence Program December 4, 1973
established.
 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.
First female dean: College of Education Merger of men’s and
Barbara Seelye, College Learning Center opened. women’s athletics.
of Professional Studies,
1974-1980. 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.
Board of Regents President Nelson
approved consolidation involved in minor auto
of the Departments of accident in which a
Men’s and Women’s bicyclist suffered minor
Physical Education into injury — Nelson did not
Department of Physical report the accident to
Education. NIU or police (later
July 1, 1976 turned into a grand jury
indictment).
May 17, 1977

1974 1974 1975 1976 1976 1977

June 16, 1978 -

The musical film Grease was released, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

1974 1974 1976 1976 1977 1978

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.
Duke Ellington played his Parents for NIU First MAC team Opening of Anthropology Northern Illinois Regional
last public concert in the organized to increase championship in any Museum (then located in History Center created.
Holmes Student Center communication between sport — men’s golf. Stevens Building) to the
Ballroom. the university and public; inauguration was NIU Hall of Fame
students’ parents — Women’s Studies attended by world- inducted a total of nine
May Fete renamed sponsored Parents’ Day. Program established. renowned anthropologist athletes and coaches in
Springfest. Margaret Mead. its inaugural year.
The NISNS Mosaic Seal NIU Black Alumni
was placed in the floor of Council founded. Campus Child Care
the Founders Memorial Last Norther yearbook established.
Library. published.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Live mascot Star. William R. Monat named The Art Gallery moved to College of Law trans- First Presidential NIRIS (Northern Illinois
eighth president. larger space in Swen ferred from Lewis Commission established. Radio Information
President Nelson July 27, 1978 Parson Hall from the University to NIU with Service) began broad-
resigned — William area now known as the approval of General casting programming for
Monat stepped in as Center for Latino and Thurgood Marshall Assembly of Illinois. the blind.
acting president. Latin American Affairs Gallery to the second
January 26, 1978 (CLLAA) founded floor area that is now the Women’s Resource
(renamed to Latino Law Library. Center established (now
Resource Center). Gender and Sexuality
Resource Center).

1978 1978 1979 1979 1980 1981

1980 -
First Corn Classic (10k) Race.

1978 1979 1979 1980 1980 1982

NIU’s first personal University Resources for College of Education Last Winter Carnival. Library’s One Millionth NIU women’s badminton
computer purchased for Women is founded. resource library greatly Volume Celebration team won the
$810. The Commodore expanded through First All-American female (Poems on Various Association for
PET came with 4KB Ruth Blackwell’s large athlete Janet Wentworth, Occasions by George Intercollegiate Athletics
RAM, a cassette tape donation of books and badminton. Gordon, Lord Byron). for Women (AIAW) title.
drive and an eight inch artifacts from her September 9, 1980
monochrome monitor. personal collection;
(It is preserved in the resource library
University Archives.) 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.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Faculty Development First presidential NIU’s football Gov. James Thompson First yearbook published Clyde J. Wingfield
Office is formed; NIU is research professors appearance in the signed HB 1530 allowing after eight-year hiatus, named ninth president.
one of first universities named. California Bowl set the employees in public named Gargoyle. It March 22, 1985
to do this. modern direction of the higher education to be lasted two issues.
First honorary degree athletic program and by represented by unions;
Formal relationships granted to Leon extension contributed also created the Illinois
established between Lederman, Director, significantly to the Educational Labor
NIU, Fermi National Fermi National Accelera- contemporary public Relations Board (IELRB).
Accelerator Laboratory tor Laboratory and perception of the
and Argonne National recipient of the Wolf institution.
Laboratory. Prize in Physics and later December 17, 1983
Nobel laureate in
physics; Doctor of
Science (Sc.D.)

1982 1983 1983 1984 1985 1985

January 22, 1984 -

Apple's '1984' Mac ad aired during Super Bowl.

1982 1983 1983 1985 1985 1985

College of Law moved University adopted a NIU’s governing board William R. Monat named First minority Vice College of Engineering
to Swen Parson Hall. new official seal; seal approved Martin Luther first Board of Regents President Eddie R. and Engineering
was redesigned after King Jr. Commons as chancellor. Williams, Administrative Technology founded.
The NIU Social Science complaints that old seal the name for the area July 1, 1984 Affairs.
Research Institute was was too similar to the between Founders Martin Luther King Jr.
Huskie logo became the
inaugurated in the state seal. Memorial Library and the holiday established
dog’s head or “wolf”
former Rice Hotel. Holmes Student Center. at NIU.
December 8, 1983 Huskie.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Engineering students John E. LaTourette NIU Broadcast Center NIU added sexual Women’s basketball Swen Parson Gallery
started meeting in named 10th president. established on First orientation to those coach Jane Albright name changed to NIU
Sycamore building. May 1, 1986 Street. identities protected established the highest Art Museum to reflect
under the university’s attendance at a women’s its growing collection.
University Resources for First named professor- First annual Deaf constitution. basketball game with Simultaneously, the
Latinos formed from ship — Donald Kieso, Awareness Week was more than 6,000 fans in museum was established
Organization of Latin Peat Marwick Professor held to provide a game against DePaul as a separate academic
American Students of Accounting. interaction between University. She went on unit within CVPA.
(OLAS). hearing and non-hearing to take the Huskies to
Center for Burma Studies students. the NCAA Tournament in
established. November 2, 1987 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994
September 18, 1986
and 1995.
February 15, 1989

1986 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

April 15 – June 4, 1989 - December 17, 1989 -

Tiananmen Square protests. The Simpson premiered.

1986 1987 1988 1989 1989 1990

NIU Bowling Club Anthropology Professor The “running” Huskie The Women’s Alliance Faculty Senate George Bork first NIU
finished sixth against William Fash was award- logo was designed by was formed for established. athlete inducted into
top 16 teams in the ed a Fulbright Senior Re- John Vieceli of McMillan gender equality around September 21, 1989 College Football Hall of
country at national search Fellowship to Associates in Dundee, campus. One of the Fame.
match. record and protect im- Illinois who worked with longest-running student
portant Maya sculptures the athletic director, organizations on
in Copan, Honduras and Gerald O’Dell. campus.
especially to preserve
the famous Hieroglyphic
Stairway.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Center for Access-Ability NIU football won over NIU Art Museum Faculty Development First African American First Official seal
Resources (now known nationally ranked and moved to the second Office added orientation female head coach Liz changed as part of
as the Disability undefeated Fresno State floor auditorium of and training of graduate Galloway-McQuitter, Centennial Celebration;
Resource Center) University 73-18. Altgeld Hall. teaching assistants to its women’s basketball. features Castle on a Hill
established. October 6, 1990 offerings. (Altgeld Hall).
College of Continuing
Education disestablished.

1990 1990 1991 1993 1994 1995

December 3, 1994 -
Sony Playstation introduced.

1990 1990 1991 1994 1995 1995

Priorities, Quality and WNIU and NIRIS joined University Writing Department of English The first Endowed Chair First distance learning
Productivity (PQP) WNIJ and WKDI at new Center established. introduced computerized at NIU was established in courses offered by
initiative begun by the broadcast center in instruction in the the College of Education TeleVideo in the Learning
IBHE. This four-year DeKalb. WNIU (classical First Presidential Freshman English with a gift of $1.7M from Center in Gabel Hall.
process recommended music); WNIJ (news and Teaching Professors Program. John P. and Ruth
the elimination of nearly jazz); WKDI (progressive awarded. Morgridge. The gift was College of Professional
200 academic programs and new age music); and First female athletic to honor 1915 NIU Studies changed to
statewide, including NIRIS (programming for director named (Cary graduates Ruth Gordon College of Health and
NIU’s Law School. the blind) moved out of Groth) — one of only and L.D. Morgridge. Human Sciences.
Kishwaukee Hall. four in the U.S.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Centennial Celebration NIU Jazz Ensemble Art Museum began Affirmative Action and NIU admitted to Carnegie Foundation
began in recognition of invited to play at the phase as Museum Diversity Resources Association of Public and designated NIU as a
the cornerstone laying in world-renowned without Walls partnering program established. Land-grant Universities top-tier research
1895. The Centennial Montreaux Jazz Festival; on public art projects. (APLU). institution (top 4%
Celebration culminated the following year the Milan Township nationally).
in 1999 with the ensemble was the official Faculty Club disbanded. Schoolhouse donated
recognition of the back-up band to Phil to Blackwell Museum
centennial of the Collins. College of Business of Education and
opening of Northern first created the Experiential reconstructed on
classes held in 1899. Learning Center (ELC). campus.

1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2000

August 31, 1997 - September 4, 1998 - April 20, 1999 -

Death of Princess Diana. Google was founded. Columbine High School shooting.

1996 1997 1998 2000 2000 2001

NIU Board of Trustees Center for Southeast Faculty Development Northern Illinois Center Division of Outreach, The Huskie logo was
became an independent Asian Studies became Office reorganized into for Accelerator and Engagement and changed to the
authority. one of nine federally the Faculty Development Detector Design Regional Development “standing” Huskie.
funded National and Instructional Design established. established.
Debut of inflatable Resource Centers for Center.
mascot Huskie Jr. study of the region.
NIU football team broke
nation’s longest losing
streak; goalposts torn
down in celebration.
October 10, 1998
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Center for Diversity Carol Hammerle NIU photographers Lesbian Gay Bisexual NIU hosted the University Resources
Resources opened. recognized for 500 switched from film to Transgender (LGBT) rededication of the for Women became
victories as women’s digital. Resource Center opened. newly renovated Women’s Resource
John G. Peters appointed basketball coach after March 17, 2003 Altgeld Hall. Center.
11th president. a 63-42 triumph over Annual mandatory online
June 1, 2002 University of Akron. ethics training for State NIU Art Museum
February 2, 2002 of Illinois employees relocated to the first
started. floor west end of
Center for P-20
Altgeld Hall.
Engagement
Campus Transportation
established.
Department and NIU
Police began using
Toyota Prius cars.

2001 2002 2003 2003 2004 2005

September 11, 2001 - February, 2004 -

Terrorist attack on World Trade Center, New York and Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Facebook formed.
President George W. Bush declared War on Terror.

2001 2003 2003 2004 2005 2005

Continuing Education Most of the College NIU Theatre students After many years in the University Archivist Live mascot named
placed under newly of Health and Human began annual summer Pottenger House, the Glen A. Gildemeister Diesel (2005-2013; died
created NIU Outreach. Sciences moved to program at Moscow Art Department of Military published his book Sept. 6, 2015).
centralized location in Theatre. Science/ROTC moved to Castle on a Hill —
Wirtz Hall after seven its new location in Chick a photographic history of Asian American
years in Gilbert Hall. Football team beat Evans Field House. NIU and community. Resource Center
traditional powerhouses established.
University of Alabama
and University of
Maryland; named No. 12
in Associated Press poll
(highest ranking ever).
 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).
April 7, 2005
2005
April 16, 2007 -
Virginia Tech Campus shooting.
2005
NIU purchased the
Monsanto Building on
Sycamore Road.
Off-Campus and
Non-Traditional Student
Service established.
NIU plate licensed by
Secretary of State.
September 23, 2006
2006
January 20, 2009 -
Barack Obama sworn in as 44th US President - first African American president.
2007
Avalon Quartet became
NIU’s resident string
quartet.
Student Involvement and
Leadership Development
(SILD) hosted first Day of
Service (precursor to NIU
Cares Day).
Five students killed and Huskies on Parade public First STEM Fest opened First Undergraduate
21 others injured in mass art initiative. its doors to the public; Research and Artistry
shooting in Cole Hall. the annual event draws Day.
February 14, 2008 an average of 7,000
children and families with Foundation’s True North
nearly 700 student, campaign ($150M goal
faculty and staff achieved 59,000 donors,
volunteers. $160M): supported three
state-of-the-art facilities
and endowed scholar-
ships, fellowships,
professorships and
chairs.
August 12, 2010
2008 2008 2009 2010
2008 2009 2010 2010
American Sign Language Center for Interdisciplinary The Office of Student NIU awarded a $68.5M
accepted as foreign Study of Language and Engagement and broadband initiative
language. Literacy established. Experiential Learning grant — the largest grant
established. in university history —
by National Telecommu-
Center for Non-Govern- nications and Informa-
mental Organization tion Administration
Leadership and (NTIA) to develop a
Development (NGOLD) broadband network
established. that spreads across nine
counties in northwest
Illinois.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

New university logo NIU scientists co-led NIU won APLU’s Women’s Resource Appointment of Chief Off-Campus and
adopted (Altgeld Hall research team drilling inaugural Innovation Center and the Lesbian, Diversity Officer Vernese Non-Traditional Student
tower with NIU word under the Antarctic ice and Economic Prosperity Gay, Bisexual, Edghill Williams. Services merged with
mark). sheet. award. Transgender Resource August 1, 2015 Military Student Services
Center merged into the to become the new
Live mascot Mission Doug Baker named 12th Gender and Sexuality Office of Military and
(2013-Present). president. Resource Center. Post-Traditional Student
July 1, 2013 Services.

2011 2013 2013 2014 2015 2015

2012 - 2014 -
DeKalb County Community Gardens organized. Shooting of Michael Brown; Black Lives Matter movement.

2012 2013 2014 2015 2015 2016

Institute for Study of Inaugural President’s NIU filed for its 125th The Great Snowball Fight State budget impasse, Anthropology Museum
the Environment, Welcome Back Picnic. patent. of 2015 — a spontaneous a 793-day-long budget (now located in Cole
Sustainability and event involving hundreds crisis; initiatives such Hall) name changed
Energy created. NIU football competed in University provided of students. as Program Prioritization to Pick Museum of
2013 Orange Bowl. Zipcars for short term February 2, 2015 (fall 2015) created. Im- Anthropology in honor
Green Up, NIU! initiative auto rentals. passe ends Aug. 31, 2017. of endowment from
started. July 1, 2015 donors James B. and
Rosalyn L. Pick.

All-gender bathrooms
established.
 BECOMING HUSKIES • 125 YEARS • NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Huskie Food Pantry NIU hosted NCAA Anywhere Prints “ENUF,” choreographed Lisa Freeman Investiture; Live mascot Mission II
established. Division I national men’s established campuswide. by NIU School of Theatre new university mace (aka Mini-Mish) first
and women’s golf and Dance Professor revealed. official appearance.
NIU Parking Services championships at Rich Asian American Center Paula Frasz, was September 17, 2019
provided free parking on Harvest Farms in Sugar relocated to larger performed by eleven NIU An NIU alumnus created
ESports Cafés opened
campus after 5 p.m. on Grove. accessible space. students at the National Dawgma Beer with a
on DeKalb, Naperville,
weeknights. College Dance Festival at familiar Huskie dog logo.
and Hoffman Estates
the Kennedy Center in
campuses.
Washington, D.C.

2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 2019

January 21, 2017 - March 24, 2018 - 2019 -

Women’s March. March for Our Lives. First ever image of a black hole.

2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 2020

Homecoming court The Residence Hall Discover and NIU Lisa C. Freeman NIU Foundation hosted Disability Resource
replaced “king” and Association awarded the launched Center for appointed NIU’s 13th Day of Giving, an online Center relocated to
“queen” with “royalty.” distinction of Most Student Innovation. president and first fundraising campaign Campus Life Building.
Spirited Delegation female president. lasting 1,895 minutes (in
during the national NIU announced plan to September 20, 2018 honor of the founding NIU celebrates its
National Association of build Northern Illinois year of NIU). Quasquicentennial.
College and University Center for Community
Residence Halls Sustainability, largely NIU gymnastics won the
(NACURH) conference at funded with state grant. 2019 MAC Conference
Purdue University. Championship.
NIU bus system merged March 23, 2019
Acting President Lisa with city of DeKalb.
Freeman issued
statement in support of
undocumented students.
December 5, 2017